Recently, a client called into our office with an interesting problem. She had been preparing to apply for a passport, but when she got a copy of her birth certificate she made a shocking discovery; the name she had been using her entire life was not the one listed on the document!
The client’s other certificates, such as her diploma and marriage license, all had her listed under the name she used for herself. However, the name on your birth certificate is used as proof of your identity when getting a passport, and she did not want this name she didn’t use to exist on any other important documents.
In order to get a passport with the name she actually uses, the client first had to petition the City of Philadelphia to change the name on her birth certificate. Like everywhere else, changing your name in Philadelphia can be a tricky process. This client made the great choice to get help with this task, and she chose to go with the highly experienced attorneys at Kenny, Burns & McGill.
The team at Kenny, Burns & McGill supported this client every step of the way. We drafted the necessary petition and prepared the paperwork. We fulfilled the advertising requirements by publishing the name change in the local news.
We also contacted Philadelphia County so that judgement searches could be performed, showing that the client had no outstanding matters against her that would prevent her from changing her name.
The final step of the name-changing process is to have a conference hearing with a Hearing Officer. During this, the officer goes over all the paperwork and makes a recommendation to a judge as to whether the petition should be granted or not.
When the time came for the hearing, we accompanied our client for support and to make sure everything was in order. Since the team at Kenny, Burns & McGill has plenty of experience with Philadelphia’s legal system, there were no issues and the petition was quickly granted!
This is a great outcome for this client, whose important legal documents now reflect the name she has always called herself. If you or a loved one need help with a name change in Philadelphia, call the civil litigation team at Kenny, Burns & McGill today! (215) 423-5500
