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California Court Forms · Name Change
The court order that sets a name change hearing and tells the public how to object. It is usually published in a newspaper before the hearing.
Mandatory form · Revised January 1, 2023 · 2 pages · NC-100 · Petition for Change of Name
The PDF is the Judicial Council’s own file on courts.ca.gov, revised January 1, 2023. Form page on courts.ca.gov ↗
Not legal advice. This page explains what the form asks; it does not tell you what to put in your case.
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NC-120 lists each present and proposed name and orders anyone interested to appear and show cause why the petition should not be granted. Anyone objecting must file a written objection with reasons at least two court days before the hearing and appear. If no written objection is timely filed, the form says the court may grant the petition without a hearing. It cites Code of Civil Procedure section 1277.
When it is used
Item 3 orders a copy published at least once each week for four successive weeks before the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation, as the form describes, unless the court orders otherwise.
Section by section
Use the current official form and its instructions. The descriptions below identify the questions without choosing answers for your situation.
Each present name and proposed name.
Hearing date, time, department and court address, and how to object.
The newspaper and publication schedule, or another order; signed by the judge.
If only one parent petitions, notice served on the other living parent at least 30 days before the hearing.
Personal service on living parents at least 30 days before the hearing, or on living grandparents if parents are deceased or cannot be located. The note is not published.
Before you file
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Live counties with a relevant case type: Butte · Calaveras · Colusa · Contra Costa · Glenn · Los Angeles · Madera · Mariposa · Mendocino · Merced · Napa · San Bernardino · San Diego · San Luis Obispo · San Mateo · Santa Barbara · Santa Clara · Santa Cruz · Sonoma · Stanislaus · Sutter · Tehama · Yolo · Yuba. Check each listing’s new-case or existing-case status and document restrictions.
Questions
Item 2 says to file a written objection with your reasons at least two court days before the hearing, and to appear at the hearing.
The form says that if no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.
Related forms
Not legal advice. This page explains public filing information. It does not tell you what to put in your own case. Legal Hub Group is a certified e-filing service provider for California courts, not a law firm.
Information checked as of October 2026. Rules, form revisions and provider prices can change. The court decides whether to accept a filing.
NC-120 form revision: January 1, 2023.