People asking an Arizona court to change their name must now say whether they must register as a sex offender, applicants with a conviction must send a copy of the application to prosecutors, and registered sex offenders granted a new name must be ordered to register under it.
Official title: name change petition; sex offenders
- September 12, 2026
What changes
BeforeName change applicants had to state under penalty of perjury whether they had a felony conviction or certain pending charges, along with other statements.
NowApplicants must also state under penalty of perjury whether they have been convicted in any state of an offense that requires them to register as a sex offender, and whether they have served a copy of the application on the required prosecuting agency.
BeforeA victim or prosecutor could contest a name change up to 1 year after judgment. The text shows no rule requiring the applicant to send the application to prosecutors.
NowAn applicant convicted in Arizona shall serve a copy of the application on the prosecuting agency of the county where the person was convicted.
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NowAn applicant convicted in another state shall serve a copy of the application on the prosecuting agency where the person was convicted and on the county attorney in the county where the application was filed.
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NowIf a victim has asked for notice after the conviction, the prosecuting agency in the Arizona county of conviction shall tell the victim about the name change application and the victim's right to contest it.
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NowIf the court grants a name change to a person required to register as a sex offender under Arizona law, the court shall order the person to register under the new name and list the old name as an alias. A copy of the order shall be provided to the sheriff of the county where the person currently lives.
Who it affects
- People applying to change their name who have a criminal conviction
- People required to register as sex offenders
- Crime victims who have asked for notice after a conviction
- Superior courts
- County attorneys and other prosecuting agencies
- County sheriffs
What you need to do
If you apply for a name change, you must state under penalty of perjury whether you have been convicted in any state of an offense requiring sex offender registration. If you have a conviction, you must serve a copy of your application on the prosecuting agency required by the law.
What the law doesn't answer
- Whether the service requirement covers applicants with any conviction or only certain offenses; the text says only "was convicted"
- Any deadline for serving the application on prosecutors
- What happens if an applicant does not serve the application
- Who must provide the copy of the court's order to the sheriff
- Whether these rules apply to applications already pending when the law takes effect
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.