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CV-491

Basic Steps to Handling a Confidential Name Change

Wisconsin · Wisconsin Court System · Effective March 6, 2025

This guide gives general steps for asking a court to change a name confidentially in Wisconsin. It explains that if the court agrees, the records will not be public, but specific forms must be used.

The court describes it as: Instructions for handling a confidential name change.

Open the official PDFfrom Wisconsin Court System

Where this fits in a case

General & info

Information / general use — not tied to one step of a case

This guide is used by an eligible Wisconsin resident who is an adult or a minor over 14 and wants to change their name without the change being published for public viewing.

Either party may file.

Common questions

Who can use this guide to request a confidential name change?
Any eligible resident of Wisconsin who is an adult or a minor over 14 can petition the court in their county of residence for a confidential name change.
What happens if the court does not allow the confidential name change?
If the court denies the confidential name change, you will have to file a standard name change using the standard name change forms.
Does this guide tell me what forms to fill out?
The guide lists several forms, including the Petition for Confidential Name Change for Adult or Minor 14 or Older (CV-451), and others that may be needed.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 10, 2026. The current version took effect March 6, 2025.

Related forms

  • CV-450

    Petition for Name Change for Adult or Minor 14 or Older

    This form is used to ask the court to officially change the name of an adult or a minor who is 14 years old or older. It asks the person filing the form to provide details about their current name, where they live, and what their new desired name is.

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  • CV-451

    Petition for Confidential Name Change for Adult or Minor 14 or Older

    This form is used to ask the court for a private name change for an adult or a minor who is 14 or older. It asks the person filing the form for personal details, the reason for the name change, and why the name change notice should be kept private.

    Word
  • CV-456

    Petition for Confidential Name Change for Minor Child under 14

    This form is used to ask the court for a private name change for a minor child who is under 14 years old. It asks for details about the child, the people filing the form, and the reasons for the name change and the request for privacy.

    Word
  • CV-461

    Notice of Confidential Name Change Hearing

    This form is used to officially notify people about a hearing scheduled to decide if a name change can happen confidentially. It asks for details about the person whose name is changing, the new name, and when and where the hearing will take place.

    Word
  • CV-471

    Order for Confidential Name Change

    This form is an official court document used to record an order that changes a person's name in a confidential way. It contains blanks for the court to fill in details about the person, the county, and the name change itself.

    Word
  • CV-476

    Order Denying Confidential Name Change

    This form is an official court order that states a request for a confidential name change has been denied. It records the county, the person's current name, and the details of the hearing where the decision was made.

    Word
  • CV-490

    Basic Steps to Handling a Name Change

    This guide gives general steps for a Wisconsin resident to ask the court to change their name. It outlines which forms to fill out and what to do before and after the hearing.

  • CV-455

    Petition for Name Change for Minor Child under 14

    This form is used to ask the court to legally change the name of a child who is under 14 years old. It asks for details about the child, the parents filing the form, and the reason for the name change.

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