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NC-120Mandatory

Order to Show Cause—Change of Name

California · Judicial Council of California · Effective January 1, 2023

This form is used to ask the court for an official order to change a person's name. It tells everyone involved that a name change is being requested and sets the date, time, and place for a hearing.

The court describes it as: Tells anyone viewing the form that you are asking for a name change and lists where the form will be published. This is also used by the court to set the date, time, and location of the hearing.

Open the official PDFfrom Judicial Council of California

Where this fits in a case

Judgment

Stage: Judgment

This form is used when someone files a petition asking the court to change a name. It also provides instructions for notifying interested people and publishing the notice in a newspaper.

Usually filed by the person starting the case.

Official instructions

How-to guides published by the court for this form.

Common questions

What is this form for?
This form is an Order to Show Cause that is used when someone asks the court to change a name. It lists the proposed new name next to the current name.
What happens if someone objects to the name change?
Any person who disagrees with the name changes must file a written objection with reasons at least two court days before the hearing and must appear at the hearing to explain why the change should not happen.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 9, 2026. The current version took effect January 1, 2023.

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