Who should file this form?

The instructions state that the petitioner should use this form when filing papers to start the name change case.

When should I file this form?

The petitioner should not file the Petition for Change of Name (form NC-100) until they receive a letter confirming they are an active participant in Safe At Home and that the name change is on file with Safe At Home.

What does this form keep confidential?

Under Code of Civil Procedure section 1277(b), the current legal name of the petitioner must be kept confidential by the court.

NC-400Mandatory

Confidential Cover Sheet—Name Change Proceeding Under Address Confidentiality Program (Safe at Home) (Change of Name)

California · Judicial Council of California · Effective July 1, 2026

This form is a cover sheet used when filing papers to start a name change case if the person is part of the Safe At Home program and wants the court to keep the case private. It is used to attach to the main petition and other related documents.

The court describes it as: Use this as a cover sheet when you file papers to start a name change case if you are in the Safe At Home program and are asking the court to keep your case confidential.

Open the official PDFfrom Judicial Council of California

Where this fits in a case

Start a case

Start a case
Respond
Motions
Discovery
Hearing
Judgment
After judgment
Appeal

Stage: Start a case

This form is used by a person who is an active participant in the Safe At Home program and is asking the court to change their name to avoid issues like domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, or human trafficking.

Usually filed by the person starting the case.

Official instructions

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

Common questions

Who should file this form?: The instructions state that the petitioner should use this form when filing papers to start the name change case.
When should I file this form?: The petitioner should not file the Petition for Change of Name (form NC-100) until they receive a letter confirming they are an active participant in Safe At Home and that the name change is on file with Safe At Home.
What does this form keep confidential?: Under Code of Civil Procedure section 1277(b), the current legal name of the petitioner must be kept confidential by the court.

Revision history

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

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