To obtain a legal name change in North Carolina, an applicant must submit a petition to the court. Before filing the petition, the applicant must publish notice at the courthouse door for ten days, however the publication requirement can be waived with evidence that the applicant is a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking. Along with the petition, the applicant must submit proof of the applicant’s good character by two county citizens and FBI and State Bureau of Investigations Record Checks. Registered sex offenders are not permitted to obtain a legal name change. (N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. §§ 101-1 to 101-8).
For instructions on legal name changes for minors under 18 in North Carolina, see NCTE's Name Changes for Minors in North Carolina resource.