Bill > HB433

This bill amends Title 54 (Names) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to further provide for court approval required for changes of name. The key provisions include: 1. Except for individuals seeking a name change as part of a marriage license, an individual must file a petition in the court of common pleas of the county where they reside to change their name, and the court will set a hearing and publish notice of the petition. 2. If the court finds that publishing the notice would jeopardize the safety of the person seeking the name change or their child/ward, the court can waive the notice requirement and seal the file. 3. The court may grant the name change petition if it is satisfied there is no lawful objection after the hearing. 4. The bill also establishes a public database on each county court's website to list name change notices and changes effectuated under this law, except for those granted without the notice requirement.