Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Arkansas Code Title 9. Family Law § 9-2-101. Name change--Procedure

Current as of March 28, 2024 | Updated by FindLaw Staff

(a) Upon the application of any person within the jurisdiction of the court, the circuit court shall have power, upon good reasons shown, to alter or change the name of the person.

(b) When application is made to the court under this section, it shall be by a verified petition in writing embodying the reasons for the application.

(c)(1) If the court determines cause has been shown, the court shall order the petitioner's name changed in an order that reflects the petitioner's:

(A) Prior name;

(B) Birth date;

(C) Identifying information as deemed appropriate by the court, including without limitation the petitioner's:

(i) Social Security number; or

(ii) Driver's license number; and

(D) New name.

(2)(A)(i) The petitioner shall ensure that all confidential information is omitted or redacted from case records that he or she submits to the court in accordance with Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 19.1.

(ii) In the case of a filing submitted through the electronic filing system, all confidential information shall be redacted from an electronic document before its filing in accordance with Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 21.

(B) The clerk shall ensure that all of the identifying information within the case, other than the petitioner's new name and prior name, is properly redacted.

(3)(A) The clerk shall deliver the unredacted order to the:

(i) Arkansas Crime Information Center;

(ii) Arkansas Driver Control; and

(iii) Division of Vital Records, if requested by the petitioner.

(B) If the case is not already styled under both the petitioner's new name and prior name, after the name change is ordered, the clerk shall modify the case caption and index the case under both the new name and the prior name.

(C) The court shall order the court file sealed upon clear and convincing evidence presented by the petitioner that the petitioner would otherwise be endangered.

Back to chapter list
Previous part of code Next part of code
Back to chapter list

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Arkansas Code Title 9. Family Law § 9-2-101. Name change--Procedure - last updated March 28, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ar/title-9-family-law/ar-code-sect-9-2-101/

Read this complete Arkansas Code Title 9. Family Law § 9-2-101. Name change--Procedure on Westlaw

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature or via Westlaw before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Search all Arkansas Codes

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About the Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to find an attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

    More Options
    Copied to clipboard