25 LC 48 1538
House Bill 681
By: Representatives Clark of the 108
th
, Cannon of the 58
th
, Drenner of the 85
th
, and Barnes
of the 86
th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 12 of Title 19 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to name
1
changes, so as to provide for the sealing of name change petitions upon request; to provide2
for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:4
SECTION 1.5
Chapter 12 of Title 19 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to name changes,6
is amended by revising subsections (a) and (c) of Code Section 19-12-1, relating to petition7
for name change, request by victim of family violence or human trafficking, notice of filing,8
and consent of minor's parents or guardian, as follows:9
"(a) As used in this Code section, the term:10
(1) 'Abandoned' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 15-11-2.11
(2) 'Child' means an unemancipated individual who is under 18 years of age.12
(3) 'Family violence' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 19-13-1.
13
(4) 'Human trafficking' means an offense provided for under Code Section 16-5-46."14
H. B. 681
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"(c)(1) When a name change is requested by a petitioner who alleges to be a victim of15
family violence or human trafficking, such petitioner may petition the court to file his or16
her petition to change his or her name under seal.17
(2) If the court determines that the petitioner is a victim of family violence or human18
trafficking authorizes that such petition be kept under seal, the court may issue an order19
waiving the requirements of publication as set forth in subsection (d) of this Code section. 20
If the court determines that such filing shall be allowed to proceed under seal and21
otherwise waives the other requirements of this Code section, it may hear and determine22
all of the matters raised in such petition and render a final judgment thereon.23
(3) After issuing an order under paragraph (2) of this subsection, the court may later24
unseal a petition for name change or order the petitioner to file a redacted version of such25
petition for the public record.26
(4) If the court determines that the petitioner is not a victim of family violence or human27
trafficking, the The underlying petition for name change shall not be heard until this Code28
section has been complied with in full.29
(5) The court shall retain all filings made under seal as part of the record."30
SECTION 2.31
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.32
H. B. 681
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