Name Change Procedure for Orleans Parish
To begin the process, you must file a Petition for Name Change with the Orleans Parish Civil Clerk of Court, located at 421 Loyola Ave #402, New Orleans, LA 70112. Please check with the Clerk of Court for the fees associated with filing a Petition for Name Change. The Orleans Parish Civil District Court hosts a Self-Help Resource Center in Room 101 (1st Floor) that can provide forms and more information. Their website is: https://www.orleanscivildistrictcourt.org/selfhelp-resource-center.
After filing your petition with the Clerk’s Office, you must serve it on the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office. Service can be completed by hand-delivery or through the sheriff’s office at the District Attorney’s Office (619 S. White Street, New Orleans, LA 70119). Bring your state ID or passport. If the petition is for a minor child, you must submit both a copy of the child’s birth certificate and state IDs or passports for both parents as listed on the minor child’s birth certificate.
**Include a contact number and email at the bottom of your filed petition**
If the person seeking a name change is the age of majority (18+), you must also obtain a FBI background check for that person by going online to Rap Sheets (Identity History Summary Checks) — FBI (https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/more-fbi-services-and-information/identity-history-summary-checks). The FBI will require the applicant to submit a fingerprint card. These may be obtained at multiple locations around New Orleans for a fee. More information on the process is available at the FBI website hyperlink above. Submit your fingerprint card and any other documents the FBI requires for the background check. The cost is $18.00, which is subject to change at the discretion of the FBI. Instructions are on the FBI website. This background check takes around 10-15 days to complete. Once you have received the results of the background check from the FBI, you will serve it on the District Attorney’s Office with your filed petition and any other required materials. Your background check does not need to be filed with your Petition. If you are using the sheriff to effectuate service of your petition, you can drop off (or mail) your FBI background check results in a sealed envelope to the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office.
** You should keep a copy of your filed petition and FBI background check for your records**
Once the District Attorney’s Office is served with the filed petition and background check results, an Assistant District Attorney will review the petition to check for any deficiencies or prohibitions under La R.S. 13:4751. If none are found, an Answer and Waiver of Trial and Appearance for Trial will be filed into the court record. If a prohibition or deficiency is found, an Objection will be filed into the court record.
After the District Attorney’s Office files its response, it is the Petitioner’s responsibility to contact the Civil District Court to determine the next steps required to complete the process. The phone number for the Civil Clerk of Court is (504) 407-0000. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Self-Help Resource Center at the Civil District Court.
