LCRLJ  65
                             CIVIL - NAME CHANGES


    (a) Separate Petitions Required. A separate petition shall be filed for each
name a party wishes changed.

    (b) Hearing. All hearings on petitions for name changes shall be in open court
and on the record.

    (c) Minors.

       (1) Birth Certificate. A certified copy of any minor applicant's birth
certificate or suitable identification must be presented to the clerk for
verification and copying.

       (2) Parental Notification.

          (a) A person petitioning to change the name of a minor child or ward must
establish that both parents consent to the change in writing, or that the
nonpetitioning parent has been served at least ten days before the hearing with
a notice that includes the hearing date, the minor's current name, the name the
petitioner desires the minor to assume, and the reasons for requesting the
change of name.

          (b) A person petitioning to change the name of a minor child may move the
court for an order authorizing notice to a parent by publication. The requesting
parent must certify under penalty of perjury that the whereabouts of the other
parent are unknown. If authorized by the court, notice by publication one time
in a newspaper of general circulation in the county of the nonpetitioning
parent's last known address shall be deemed sufficient if it satisfied the
requirements of LCRLJ 65(c)(2)(a).

    (d) Contents of Petition. A petition for change of name must be sworn under
oath and state the following:

        (1) The Petitioner's full present name and the full name the petitioner wishes
to assume;

        (2) The Petitioner's date of birth;

        (3) That the Petitioner resides in Grant County;

        (4) The reason for the request;

        (5) The application is not made for any illegal or fraudulent purpose;

        (6) The name change will not be detrimental to the interests of any other person;

        (7) The name of the Petitioner's father and mother, or, if brought on behalf of
a minor, the name of the minor's father and mother;

        (8) Whether the Petitioner is subject to the jurisdiction of the Washington
State Department of Corrections and, if so, that Petitioner has provided a copy
of the Petition to the Department at least five days before any hearing on the
name change request;

        (9) Whether the Petitioner is subject to the sex offender registration laws of
the State of Washington and, if so, that Petitioner has provided copies of the
Petition to the county sheriff and the Washington State Patrol at least five
days before any hearing on the name change request.

    (e) Contents of proposed Order. A Petitioner for change of name must file a
proposed Order Changing Name that includes the following:

        (1) The Petitioner's full name;

        (2) The full name Petitioner seeks to assume;

        (3) If the Petition is brought on behalf of a minor, a finding that both
parents or guardians consent to the change, or that a non consenting parent was
served with notice of the proposed change as required by these rules, or that a
non consenting parent's legal rights were previously terminated by court order;

        (4) A finding whether the Petitioner is subject to the jurisdiction of the
Washington State Department of Corrections and, if so, whether Petitioner
provided a copy of the Petition to the Department at least five days before the
Order is to be entered;

        (5) A finding whether the Petitioner is subject to the sex offender
registration laws of the State of Washington and, if so, whether Petitioner
provided copies of the Petition to the county sheriff and Washington State
Patrol at least five days before the Order is to be entered;

        (6) A finding that the Petition is not made for illegal or fraudulent purposes;

        (7) A finding that the change of name will not be detrimental to the interests
of any other person;

        (8) If the Petition is brought on behalf of a minor, a finding that the name
change is in the best interests of the minor.


Effective  August 4, 2008