Change of Name

If the tentative ruling is accepted, no appearance is necessary unless otherwise indicated.

You must notify the Judicial Assistant at (707) 521-6604 if you wish to be heard in response to the tentative ruling and whether that appearance will be in person or via Zoom. Any interested party who wishes to be heard in opposition to a petition must notify all other parties of the intent to appear. Both notifications must be completed no later than 4:00 p.m. on the court day immediately preceding the day of the hearing.

Unless notification to the Judicial Assistant has been given as provided above, the tentative rulings shall become the rulings of the court at 3:15 p.m. on the day of the hearing. 

CourtCall is not permitted for this calendar.

TO JOIN ZOOM ONLINE:

Department 18  Hearings
Meeting ID: 160—739—4368
Password: 000169
https://sonomacourt-org.zoomgov.com/j/1607394368

TO JOIN ZOOM BY PHONE:
By Phone (same meeting ID and password as listed):
Call: +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

Guide for Participating in Court Proceedings via Zoom for Dept. 18:

• After joining the meeting and checking in with the clerk, please mute your audio when not speaking. This helps keep background noise to a minimum.
• Be mindful of background noise when your microphone is not muted. Avoid activities that could create additional noise, such as shuffling papers.
• Position your camera properly if you choose to use a web camera. Be sure it is in a stable position and focused at eye level, if possible. Make sure everything visible in the frame is appropriate for an appearance in court.
• If a confidential session becomes necessary it is incumbent on you to ensure you are able to participate from a private location so that unauthorized people cannot overhear or see the proceedings.
• Chat is enabled for the sharing of documents among participants and the court and to allow attorneys to communicate individually with each other or their clients only. No chat messages should be sent privately to the court as it would amount to an unauthorized ex parte communication. Neither should chat messages be sent to all participants unless directed by the court.
• The recording function has been disabled. Remember, the prohibition against recording court proceedings, even remote ones, remains.
• Be patient. Check in will take more time and the experience from those who have tried this before is that proceedings are a little slower generally.

How to Obtain Copies of Your Order

If a Petition for Name Change is approved, the Decree Changing Name (Order after Hearing) will be signed and processed within one to two business days following the hearing.  The options to obtain a copy are:

• Pick up a copy or copies at the Civil Clerk’s Office anytime during normal business hours.  Certified copies may also be purchased at the Clerk’s office.
• If you e-filed your documents and paid in advance for postage and a certified copy or copies of the Decree Changing Name, they will be mailed to you after the hearing.
• If you filed your documents in person and provided a self-addressed stamped envelope and either paid in advance or provided a check for a certified copy or copies of the Decree Changing, they will be mailed to you in that postage paid envelope after the hearing.