Skip to content
LitigationForms
CV-490

Basic Steps to Handling a Name Change

Wisconsin · Wisconsin Court System · Effective January 8, 2026

This guide gives general steps for a Wisconsin resident to ask the court to change their name. It outlines which forms to fill out and what to do before and after the hearing.

The court describes it as: Basic steps to handling a name change. Parties must bring in a certified copy of birth certificate.

Open the official PDFfrom Wisconsin Court System

Where this fits in a case

General & info

Information / general use — not tied to one step of a case

This guide is used by anyone in Wisconsin who wants to start the process of legally changing their name.

Either party may file.

Common questions

Is this form the actual application?
No, this is a guide. You need to fill out several specific forms, such as the Petition for Name Change, which are listed in the guide.
Does this guide tell me what to do if I am married?
The guide mentions that if you are already married and changing your last name to your spouse’s last name or hyphenating, a court order is usually not needed.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 10, 2026. The current version took effect January 8, 2026.

Related forms

  • CV-450

    Petition for Name Change for Adult or Minor 14 or Older

    This form is used to ask the court to officially change the name of an adult or a minor who is 14 years old or older. It asks the person filing the form to provide details about their current name, where they live, and what their new desired name is.

    Word
  • CV-455

    Petition for Name Change for Minor Child under 14

    This form is used to ask the court to legally change the name of a child who is under 14 years old. It asks for details about the child, the parents filing the form, and the reason for the name change.

    Word
  • CV-460

    Notice of Name Change Hearing

    This form is used to officially tell people about a hearing that has been set to decide if a name change is allowed. It asks for details about the person whose name is changing, the new name, and when and where the hearing will take place.

    Word
  • CV-470

    Order for Name Change

    This form is an official court order that records a judge's decision to change a person's name. It asks the court to officially approve the change of name for a person.

    Word
  • CV-475

    Order Denying Name Change

    This form is used by the court to officially state that a request to change a person's name has been rejected. It records details about the case and lists the reasons why the name change was denied.

    Word
  • CV-480

    Response of Non-Petitioning Parent to Name Change of Minor Child Under 14

    This form is a response that a parent who did not start the case uses to tell the court their opinion about changing a minor child's name. It asks the parent to state whether they agree or disagree with the name change.

    Word
  • CV-491

    Basic Steps to Handling a Confidential Name Change

    This guide gives general steps for asking a court to change a name confidentially in Wisconsin. It explains that if the court agrees, the records will not be public, but specific forms must be used.

  • CV-451

    Petition for Confidential Name Change for Adult or Minor 14 or Older

    This form is used to ask the court for a private name change for an adult or a minor who is 14 or older. It asks the person filing the form for personal details, the reason for the name change, and why the name change notice should be kept private.

    Word