Name Changes

Q. What do I need to obtain a name change?

A. You must mail to the Suffolk County Clerk, 310 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901, ATTN: Court Actions , submit in-person in Riverhead or Central Islip or file electronically via NYSCEF the following completed documents:

1. the name change petition (original and one copy);
2. proposed name change order 
3. request for judicial intervention;
4. original birth certificate or one with a raised seal;
5. $210 filing fee payable to Suffolk County Clerk by check or money order;
6. self-addressed post-paid return envelope (if submitting by mail or in Central Islip)

The information concerning a name change and the necessary forms can be found here and Information regarding a fee waiver can be found here. The poor person affidavit would be filed as a No Fee Authorization Letter and the proposed order filed separately as Order (Proposed). Also review the FAQ on how to commence a lawsuit.  If filing in-person or by mail, the poor person application must be submitted in hard copy with all of the other papers.

Q. How do I get certified copies of my name change order?

A. Certified copies of a name change order are $5 each.  To obtain certified copies, you must mail in a written request, payment (check or money order payable to the Suffolk County Clerk) and a post-paid return envelope to Suffolk County Clerk, Attn: Court Actions, 310 Center Drive, Riverhead, NY 11901, or come in-person to the facility located at 300 Center Drive, Riverhead, New York 11901. If a case is sealed, only the party making the name change application may obtain a copy.  If the original name of the applicant is ordered to be changed to an anonymous name in the County Clerk’s index, the applicant must have the index number for the County Clerk to be able to locate the records.

If you have any additional questions, please email the County Clerk at courtactions@suffolkcountyny.gov.