How do I legally change my name in Arizona?

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You change your name in Arizona by filing an application with the superior court in the county where you live, stating your reasons for the change and the name you wish to adopt, and the court may then enter judgment substituting the adopted name for your original name .

What the application must contain. The application must indicate, under penalty of perjury: (1) whether you have been convicted of a felony; (2) whether felony charges are pending against you in any jurisdiction for offenses under title 13, chapter 18, 20, 21, 22, 23 or 27, or any other offense involving false statements or misrepresentations about your identity; (3) whether you are knowingly changing your name to that of another individual for the purpose of committing or furthering any such offense; (4) that you are making the application solely for your own best interest; and (5) that you acknowledge the name change will not release you from any obligations incurred, or harm any rights of property or actions, in your original name .

Minors. A parent, guardian ad litem, or next friend may file an application to change a minor's name in the county of the minor's residence, and the court decides based on the minor's best interests and the applicable criteria .

Who can contest. A victim (as defined in section 13-4401) or a prosecutor has standing to contest any legal name change at any time before judgment is entered or up to one year after .

Effect of a later conviction. If you are convicted of an offense under title 13, chapter 18, 20, 21, 22, 23 or 27, or any other offense involving false statements or misrepresentations about your identity, the superior court may set aside a name change judgment or deny a pending application .

Sealing the record. On request, the court may seal the name change application and judgment so they are not disclosed and are not public record; a person who obtained a judgment on or after January 1, 2009 may request sealing, and for these purposes "person" means someone protected under an order of protection or injunction against harassment or a victim of stalking under section 13-2923 (or an equivalent offense in another jurisdiction) .

Updating your records afterward. The supplied sources do not address post-judgment steps such as updating identification or other records in connection with a court-ordered name change, so consult the superior court clerk or a licensed Arizona attorney for guidance on those steps.