{"id":373508,"date":"2017-03-31T14:17:47","date_gmt":"2017-03-31T19:17:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/kentucky-law\/how-to-change-your-name-in-kentucky.html"},"modified":"2024-04-10T09:35:52","modified_gmt":"2024-04-10T14:35:52","slug":"how-to-change-your-name-in-kentucky","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/kentucky-law\/how-to-change-your-name-in-kentucky.html","title":{"rendered":"How to Change Your Name in Kentucky"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How To Change Your Name and Gender Marker in Kentucky<\/h1>\n
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\n By Lark Lewis, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Like most states, Kentucky makes it relatively easy to change your name following a marriage or divorce and has a process for changing your name at other times and for other reasons using the courts. For example, a person may wish to change their name to affirm their gender identity. In that case, you may also want to know how to change your gender marker on important Kentucky documents.<\/p>\r\n

This article covers how to change your name in Kentucky, whether due to marriage, divorce, or some other reason like a gender transition. The article also addresses filing the appropriate paperwork with other government agencies. Finally, you’ll learn how to change your gender marker on crucial documents.<\/p>\r\n

Identify and Follow the Correct Kentucky Legal Name Change Process<\/h2>\r\n

The process you’ll need to follow for changing your name depends on the reason for your name change. We’ll discuss each method below.<\/p>\r\n

Marriage<\/h3>\r\n

Marriage is the most common time for changing a name<\/a>. Like most states, Kentucky makes the process easy by recognizing a valid marriage certificate<\/a> as proof of a name change.<\/p>\r\n

Before your wedding, apply for a marriage license at the county clerk’s office where you’re getting married. Once you get the license and have said your vows, request certified copies of the marriage certificate from the clerk’s office. You’ll need these copies to change other identity documents.<\/p>\r\n

Divorce<\/h3>\r\n

Breaking up is hard to do. If you’re going through a divorce, you may want to resume using your former name<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

In Kentucky, the divorce court can restore a divorced woman’s maiden name<\/a>, or former name, when it issues the decree dissolving the marriage. Be sure to request this from the court \u2014 while it’s a common practice, it’s not automatic. It’s easier to return to your name as part of the divorce process than after it’s final.<\/p>\r\n

Once your divorce is final, you can use a certified copy of the decree to change your name with other government agencies (below).<\/p>\r\n

Petition for a Change of Name<\/h3>\r\n

You can also petition the court for an order changing your name<\/a>. This is a more involved process. The process requires you to start a court action. Whether you want to change your name for personal or family reasons, the petition process is available to most (well-intentioned) Kentuckians.<\/p>\r\n

File a petition for a name change<\/a> through your county’s district court. If you’re a parent looking to change your minor child’s name, you can file a petition on their behalf. The details of the process differ from county to county and court to court in Kentucky. But you should prepare to do the following:<\/p>\r\n