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Name Change -  Serving Documents


I am changing my own name? Who would I serve?
If you are asking to change your own name, you do not need to have anyone served with the papers.  

If you work in a profession that requires a license or certification, you should inform your employer and the organization / board that issued the license or certification.

You still will have to publish notice in a legal notices newspaper as part of the name change process.

I am changing my child’s name.  Do I have to have the other parent served?
If the other parent is signing the papers with you to request your child’s name be change, then no one needs to be served with papers.  

If the other parent is on the birth certificate or has been named a parent through a court process (adoption, paternity action) and is not signing the papers with you, then you will have to have the other parent personally served with the paperwork. This means that a person must hand the papers directly to the other parent.  You can have the other parent personally served in one of four ways:
  1. through the Sheriff’s Office in the county where your spouse lives;
  2. through a private process server in the location where your spouse lives;
  3. through a third-party Affidavit of Service; or
  4. through an Admission of Service.

We recommend using the Sheriff’s Office or a private process serve because they are the most reliable options.  The other options, even if done 100% correctly, carry a risk that a judge or court commissioner may determine your service was not proper.  If service is not proper, your case will not be heard at your court date and you may have to start the entire process over from the beginning.  

You still will have to publish notice in a legal notices newspaper as part of the name change process.
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The information on this website was developed for use in Milwaukee County. Forms and procedures may be different in other counties. This website is not intended to provide legal advice to any person. Your use of this website, and any forms you generate on it, is at your own risk and without warranties by the Milwaukee Justice Center.
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  • About Us
    • Mission & History
    • Staff
    • Annual Reports
  • Our Partners
    • Law Firm Partners
    • School Partners
  • Services, Hours, & Location
    • Using Zoom
    • Online Resources
    • How To Complete Family Forms Videos
  • Mobile Legal Clinic
  • MJC | AmeriCorps
  • Run for Justice
  • Donate
  • Careers