North Carolina Name Change Resources

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A name change in North Carolina can come up inside a divorce, where a spouse asks to restore a former name, or as its own filing. Either way the court has to approve it in writing before the new name is official.

The official North Carolina documents below cover the request. Once the order is signed, you normally take a certified copy to the agencies that hold your records.

Official North Carolina name change resources

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North Carolina family law forms (official index) (North Carolina judicial branch): The official statewide collection of North Carolina family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://www.nccourts.gov/documents/forms

North Carolina court self-help resources (North Carolina courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own North Carolina family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.nccourts.gov/help

Find your local NC court (North Carolina judicial branch): Find the courthouse or clerk that serves your area, with locations and contact details. https://www.nccourts.gov/locations

eCourts File & Serve (Odyssey) (Tyler Technologies): The eCourts rollout is finished: since October 13, 2025 all 100 North Carolina counties are on the Odyssey system. Attorneys must e-file, but if you do not have a lawyer e-filing is optional and you can still file on paper. https://efilenc.tylertech.cloud/OfsEfsp/ui/landing

Verified official North Carolina name change documents

These official documents are what North Carolina publishes for a name change request.

Application for Adult Name Change (AOC-SP-604), form AOC-SP-604 (Name Change), official document: https://www.nccourts.gov/assets/documents/forms/sp604.pdf

Official link data for North Carolina was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.

Frequently asked questions

Can I restore my former name in the divorce itself?

In many states yes, if you ask for it before the final order is entered. Ask early, because reopening the case later is more work than including it up front.

What do I do after the judge signs it?

Get certified copies of the order and take them to the agencies that hold your records. Each agency has its own process.