Prothonotary. bar association plan free clinic on name change

Participants to gain understanding of process

NORRISTOWN >> Montgomery County residents looking to change their names can get a better sense of the process during a free virtual clinic later this month.

Hosted by the Montgomery Bar Association and the Montgomery County Prothonotary’s Office, the name change clinic will take place from 9 a.m. to noon, October 15, on Zoom.

The clinic is open to all Montgomery County residents ages 18 years and older, with special consideration for transgender and nonbinary individuals in the LGBTQ+ community.

Participants will be matched with an attorney who can offer advice, answer questions and provide legal expertise regarding name change paperwork, according to the Montgomery Bar Association.

Montgomery County Prothonotary Noah Marlier said he hopes the clinic will offer clarity, guidance and accessibility to individuals looking to start the process.

“The name change process is an intimidating one,” he said. “So (if) you have any barrier, and that’s the whole point of this clinic, is to remove barriers for people that want to change their name.”

While the October consultation session is free, those participating will need to cover the cost of fingerprinting and other court fees, according to Marlier. The registration deadline is Oct. 3.

Marlier said he first observed an accumulation of more than 100 name change applications during the COVID-19 pandemic. The county’s prothonotary office is the first stop for people filing paperwork for a myriad of legal needs such as custody, divorce and name changes.

The public health crisis resulted in delays to courthouse operations, which slowed down the process, according to Marlier, who said he connected with thenPresident Judge Thomas M. DelRicci about resuming hearings last April.

“What is more important and significant in a person’s life than … what they want to be called (and) how they present themselves,” Marlier said. “There’s not much that’s more of an impactful thing in one’s life. I care about that and I know that others do as well.”

The process to change a name can take several months, Marlier said, as it involves several steps including filing a petition and going before a judge. Marlier noted that President Judge Carolyn Carluccio has taken up these efforts.

Four people signed up to participate as of last week, and Marlier is hoping for a higher turnout for the inaugural program.

“Montgomery County is working towards being a more inclusive, diverse, caring community, and I think this is just one example of that,” Marlier said.

For more information and to register for the clinic, visit the Montgomery Bar Association’s website at montgomerybar.org.

The Montgomery County Courthouse, Pennsylvania.