Illinois How to Change your Name (for an adult) is a process by which a person over the age of 18 can legally change their name in the state of Illinois. The process includes filing a Petition for Change of Name with the Circuit Court of the county in which the person resides, publishing a notice of the petition in a local newspaper, and appearing before a judge to present the petition. Depending on the circumstances, additional steps may be required. The most common types of Illinois How to Change your Name (for an adult) are: 1. Name Change after Marriage — This is the process of changing a name to reflect a marriage, such as adding the spouse’s last name or hyphenating the two last names. 2. Name Change after Divorce — This is the process of changing a name to reflect a divorce, such as restoring the maiden name. 3. Name Change for Other Reasons — This is the process of changing a name to any other name, such as a nickname or a stage name. The Court will typically require proof of identity, criminal background check, and proof of publication. In some cases, additional documentation may be required. If approved, the Court will issue an Order of Name Change and a new name can be used immediately.