NJSBA urges confirmation of NJ Supreme Court name change proposals

The New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA) urged the state Supreme Court to adopt proposed amendments to Rule 4:72, which governs actions required for change of names. The joint recommendation of the Supreme Court Family Practice and Civil Practice Committees endorsed earlier recommendations of the Supreme Court Committee on Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement to do away with the requirement for newspaper publication for all name change applications.

"The NJSBA urges the Court to adopt the proposed amendments, as they will promote consistency in the name change process and will protect the safety and privacy interests of individuals seeking a name change, particularly those who seek court approval to use a name consistent with their gender identity and lived experience," said NJSBA President Kimberly A. Yonta in a letter to Judge Glenn A. Grant, acting administrative director of the courts.

The joint committees recommended ending the publication requirement because advances in technology and the resulting reduced reliance on print newspapers as a primary source of public information mean the publication requirement "appears to serve little purpose at this time." The rule still requires specific notice of the application to the Division of Criminal Justice, which conducts a background check. It also requires the application to change the name of a minor to be served on a parent who is not a party to the action. The judgment of the name change must be served on the Division of Treasury and, if the applicant has a criminal history or pending criminal charges, on the State Bureau of Identification.