North Dakota Name Change Resources

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A name change in North Dakota 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 Dakota 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 Dakota name change resources

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North Dakota family law forms (official index) (North Dakota judicial branch): The official statewide collection of North Dakota family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://www.ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help/forms

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

ND court locations by county (North Dakota judicial branch): Find the courthouse or clerk that serves your area, with locations and contact details. https://www.ndcourts.gov/court-locations

North Dakota Odyssey File & Serve (Tyler Technologies): North Dakota's statewide Odyssey File & Serve portal is live and you can register yourself. E-filing is required for lawyers but optional for people without a lawyer, so you may also file on paper in person or by mail. https://northdakota.tylertech.cloud/

Verified official North Dakota name change documents

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

Name Change for a Minor Child: Forms and Instructions (Name Change), official document: https://www.ndcourts.gov/Media/Default/Legal%20Resources/Legal%20Self%20Help/Name%20Change/Name-Change-Minor-All-Forms-and-Instructions.pdf

Official link data for North Dakota 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 Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.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.