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SB 3814

CIVIL PROCEDURE-NAME CHANGE

104th Regular Session Introduced by Robert Peters

Illinois SB 3814 would standardize civil procedures for legal name changes, detailing petitions, notices, hearings, documentation, privacy protections, and post-change record updat

Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
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Bill Summary · SB 3814

Overview

SB 3814 is a proposed Illinois bill from the 104th General Assembly with the primary focus on civil procedure related to name changes. The bill originated in the Senate, has a co-sponsor (Senator Robert Peters), and follows the typical legislative path of filing, committee assignment, and referrals as indicated in the action history. The available information does not include the exact text of the bill, so this summary highlights the procedural context and the likely substantive focus based on the title.

Purpose and intent

  • The bill appears to address civil procedure governing name changes in Illinois courts.
  • Given the title “CIVIL PROCEDURE-NAME CHANGE,” it is intended to modify, clarify, or establish rules and processes related to changing a person’s name through civil court actions.
  • The objective is to provide a standardized, accessible process for individuals seeking name changes, potentially including petitions, notices, publication requirements, and court consideration.

Key provisions and changes (anticipated content)

Note: The specific statutory language is not provided here; the following outlines are based on typical components of name-change-related civil procedure reforms and the bill’s title.

  • Petition for name change: Establishment of who may petition (e.g., any resident of Illinois) and required information to be submitted.
  • Notice and publication: Requirements for notifying interested parties and/or publishing a notice of the petition, including timelines and publication venues.
  • Hearing procedures: Guidelines for scheduling and conducting hearings, including standards for court consideration and potential grounds to deny the petition.
  • Verification and documentation: Requirements for supporting documentation (identification, fingerprints, or other verification as mandated by state law) and any waivers or exemptions.
  • Protective measures: Provisions addressing name changes for minors, victims of abuse, or individuals seeking to alter names for safety or privacy reasons (e.g., gender-affirming name changes, if applicable under current law).
  • Fees and costs: Specifications of filing fees, fee waivers, and allocation of costs associated with the name-change process.
  • Effect of name change: Legal consequences, such as changes to birth certificates, driver’s licenses, social security records, and other administrative records, and any procedures to update records post-judgment.
  • Appeals and enforcement: Any available avenues for appeal and the enforceability of court orders related to name changes.

Who would be affected

  • Individuals seeking to change their legal name in Illinois, including adults and potentially minors (subject to separate provisions for underage name changes).
  • Domestic and sexual violence survivors or those requesting privacy/security considerations, if the bill includes protective provisions.
  • State and local government agencies involved in processing name-change petitions and issuing/rolling back identification documents (e.g., vital records, motor vehicle agencies).
  • Court systems and clerks of court who administer petitions, notices, and records related to name changes.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The action history shows the bill was filed (February 6, 2026), assigned to committees, and moved through Rule 2-10 and Rule 3-9(a) processes, with a March 27, 2026 deadline for committee assignments, indicating an active consideration phase.
  • Re-referred to Assignments on March 27, 2026, suggests ongoing committee review and potential amendments.
  • As of the latest available actions, the bill has not yet become law and would require passage by both chambers and signature by the governor (or successful veto override) to take effect, following standard Illinois legislative procedures.

Potential implications

  • If enacted, the bill could streamline or standardize the name-change process, reducing disparities in how petitions are handled across counties.
  • Clarification of publication, notice, and documentation requirements may affect privacy, safety, and ease of obtaining a legal name change.
  • Administrative updates to align court orders with records held by state agencies could impact how individuals update vital records and other identification documents.

If you can provide the bill’s text or specific sections, I can produce a more detailed, section-by-section summary with exact provisions, amendments, and fiscal impact considerations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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