Bill > HB681

This bill amends Georgia's name change law to provide a broader mechanism for individuals to file name change petitions under seal, removing previous language that specifically limited sealed filings to victims of family violence or human trafficking. Under the revised law, a petitioner can request that their name change petition be filed under seal, and the court may authorize this request and waive normal publication requirements. The court retains discretion to later unseal the petition or order a redacted version for public record. The bill eliminates specific definitions of "family violence" and "human trafficking" from the code section and simplifies the language around sealing petitions, making the process potentially more accessible to a wider range of petitioners who may have privacy concerns. The bill maintains that sealed petitions will remain part of the court's record and that name change proceedings cannot move forward until all legal requirements are met.

Justice

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71002