Kentucky Revised Statutes

Ky. Rev. Stat. § 401.020 (2026)

Parents or guardian may have child's name changed in District, Family, or

✓ current as of May 2026

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Circuit Court -- Relevant factors. (1) Both parents, provided both are living, or one (1) parent if one (1) is deceased, or if no parent is living, the guardian, may have the name of a child under the age of eighteen (18) changed by the District Court, or if the Family Court or Circuit Court has a case before it involving the family, the Family Court of a county with a Family Court, or the Circuit Court of a county without a Family Court of the county in which the child resides. (2) If one (1) parent refuses or is unavailable to execute the petition for a name change, proper notice of filing the petition shall be served in accordance with the Rules of Civil Procedure. The court shall conduct a hearing on the petition no later than sixty (60) days from the date of service and make findings of fact and conclusions of law based on the best interests of the child. The court shall consider all relevant factors, including: (a) The wishes of the child's parent or parents; (b) The wishes of the child as to the name change, with due consideration given to the influence a parent may have over the child's wishes; (c) The interaction and interrelationship of the child with his or her parent or parents, his or her siblings, and any other person who may significantly affect the child's best interests; (d) The motivation of the adults participating in the proceeding; and (e) The mental and physical health of all individuals involved. (3) If the child resides on a United States Army post, military reservation, or fort, his or her name may be changed by the District Court, or the Family Court of a county with a Family Court, or the Circuit Court of a county without a Family Court of any county adjacent thereto. Effective: July 15, 2024 History: Amended 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 219, sec. 11, effective July 15, 2024. -- Amended 2013 Ky. Acts ch. 89, sec. 2, effective March 22, 2013. -- Amended 1980 Ky. Acts ch. 259, sec. 27, effective July 15, 1980. -- Amended 1976 (1st Extra. Sess.) Ky. Acts ch. 14, sec. 396, effective January 2, 1978. -- Amended 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 386, sec. 89. -- Amended 1968 Ky. Acts ch. 100, sec. 13. -- Amended 1964 Ky. Acts ch. 155, sec. 1. -- Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. sec. 3718.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 6 cases, 1974–2001 · leading case: Leadingham ex rel. Smith v. Smith, 56 S.W.3d 420 (Ky. Ct. App. 2001).

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Leadingham ex rel. Smith v. Smith, 56 S.W.3d 420 (Ky. Ct. App. 2001). · cites it 12× “Because KRS 401.020 provides for mandatory notice and an implied right to be heard, the Supreme Court in construing its decision in Blasi v.”

Likins v. Logsdon, 793 S.W.2d 118 (Ky. 1990). · cites it 10× “The present petition filed by the mother seeks to invoke the jurisdiction of Hart District Court to change the name of the children pursuant to KRS 401.020. The change of names petition states that "for the past five years these infants have been using the last name of their…”

Blasi v. Blasi, 648 S.W.2d 80 (Ky. 1983). · cites it 5× “KRS 401.020, as then codified, required no notice to the other parent.”

Burke v. Hammonds, 586 S.W.2d 307 (Ky. Ct. App. 1979). “Burke argues, KRS 401.020 was amended in 1974 to provide that a “parent” has the right to change the name of a child under eighteen by petition to the district court of the county in which they reside.”

Winkenhofer v. Griffin, 511 S.W.2d 216 (Ky. Ct. App. 1974). · cites it 3× “KRS 401.020 provides: “The father, or if he is dead or has abandoned his child who is under the age of eighteen (18), the mother and guardian, or if no mother is living, the guardian alone, may have the name of a child under the age of eighteen (18) changed by the county court…”

Ash v. Thompkins, 914 S.W.2d 788 (Ky. Ct. App. 1996). “KRS 401.020.” Blasi v. Blasi Ky., 648 S.W.”

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