Here are the steps required for a legal name change in North Carolina.

You can also use this website: "Guide and File" which can help you through the name change process, including creating the template paperwork for you to file. When using Guide and File, I recommend creating an account so you can start and come back to it as often as you need.

1. Obtain two sets of fingerprints. You can do this at Watagua County Sheriff's office. If you all aren't comfortable interacting with law enforcement then you can use private fingerprinting services but they will be more expensive.

2. Send one set of fingerprints to the FBI and one to the SBI to obtain background checks. Here's a website (https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks) that explains in great detail the options and how to proceed with the FBI background check.

Here's a link (https://www.ncsbi.gov/Services/Background-Checks/Personal-Review) to the SBI background check application.

3. If you don't already have an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, request it. 

4. Identify two people who live in Watagua County who have known you ideally for about 6 months, who are not related to you by blood or marriage, who are willing to sign a notarized affidavit which essentially says that they know you and you are of good character. The Guide and File website will create these forms for you so all you have to do is print them.

5. You will also sign a notarized affidavit that says you are filing this for good cause and not to escape tax liability, etc. Again the Guide and File website will create the form.

6. You will be required to post a "notice of intent" to change your name at the courthouse wall for 10 days before filing a petition. You can file this months in advance if you want. It just has to be at least 10 days. The Guide and File website will create the form for you.

7. File a petition (Guide and File will create for you) in Special Proceedings of the Watagua Co. Clerk's office requesting that your name be changed. The petition will have all these attachments: a) SBI background check, b) FBI background check, (both within 90 days of when you are filing) c) your affidavit, d) two affidavits from friends and e) the notice that was posted. You will have to show your birth certificate and current government ID with your Watagua Co. address. You will have to pay the $120 filing fee. Note: some clerk's offices also want you to bring a "name change order". Guide and File will also create this for you, so I would suggest bringing this along as well.

8. The clerk's office will then process your name change. They will give you the name changeorder and several copies and then you can start sending that to various places to update your name (birth certificate, social security, driver's license, etc.)

There are costs associated with filing for a name change. Those costs include: 1) $120 filing fee at the clerk's office (unless you qualify as "indigent" and can get it waived- there's a form for this), 2) costs to get two sets of fingerprints (varies, but usually around $35), 3) costs to obtain SBI and FBI background checks (varies, depending on if you ask for it to be expedited- but between about $18 and $75 for Federal and about $18 for SBI).

You can also go to the Watagua Co. Clerk's Office to their Special Proceedings Division and ask them if they have a pro se name changepacket. Many clerks' offices have these and they will have forms and step by step instructions. It's also helpful to check with them because some clerks offices also come up with extra county-specific rules (for instance I have encountered some clerk's offices that require your birth certificate copy to have been issued within 90 days).