Name Change
Name Change applications are handled as Large Claims matters in the Civil Court and are filed in Room C-167 of the Civil Division of the Waukesha County Courthouse. General information about this subject area is contained in Wisconsin Statutes §786.36 and §786.37 and can be found in the Legal Research section of this site.
Below you will find the Basic Steps for Handling a Name Change, and all the forms you will need to get from the beginning to the end of the name change process. You will have the option to:
- Print the forms in PDF and complete them using black ink or
- Complete the Word Fillable forms on-line
Please keep in mind that not all forms are due at the same time. Please refer to the Basic Steps (we recommend that you print it and keep it with your papers) to determine in what order to complete each form and other tasks required.
Immediately following your hearing with the court, you will be directed to take the file and completed order to the Civil Division of the Clerk of Courts Office, Room C167 (where you originally filed your case) to complete your name change process. At that time, pursuant to Wis. Stat. Sec. 786.36(2m), you will be asked to complete forms for the State of Wisconsin Bureau of Vital Records, which includes an opportunity to obtain copies of your birth certificate if you are changing your name on the original document. Further, you are required to purchase at least one Certified Copy of the Order for Name Change which the Clerk of Court's office is required to forward to the Office of the Register of Deeds pursuant to Wis. Stat. Sec. 786.36, together with your check in the amount of the required fee (currently $30.00). You may purchase additional copies for your permanent records. To avoid any delay in registering your name change on the date of your hearing, you are required to bring at least three checks to pay these additional fees. (The Clerk of Courts requires these payments in the form of a check because these funds will be forwarded to the Register of Deeds or Bureau of Vital Records.)
Hint: ONLY COMPLETE THE TASKS IN THE ORDER THEY ARE LISTED-Read ahead, but do not work ahead.