To obtain a legal name change in West Virginia, an applicant must submit a petition to the court. At least ten days before the hearing, the applicant must publish notice of the hearing time and place in a Class I legal advertisement. A certified copy of the order will be filed in the county clerk’s office. Individuals who are currently incarcerated or registered as sex offenders are not eligible to change their name. Individuals convicted of murder are not eligible to change their name until 10 years after discharge from prison or parole, whichever occurs later. W. Va. Code Ann. §§ 48-25-101 to 48-25-107.
For more detailed information see our West Virginia Name and Gender Change Guide.
For instructions on legal name changes for minors under 18 in West Virginia, see NCTE's Name Changes for Minors in West Virginia resource.