Judicial Review and Hearing. (a) The court shall conduct a hearing on the change of name petition and consider whether the name is being sought for any fraudulent or unlawful purpose, to mislead or deceive others, to evade legal obligations, or to interfere with the rights of others. (b) The discretion of a CNMI Superior Court judge over a change of name petition shall be exercised on the basis of evidence and not conclusory assertions. The court shall not deny a change of name petition based solely on speculative or subjective concerns. (c) The court shall grant the change of name petition if no substantial evidence exists that the name change is sought for any fraudulent or unlawful purpose, to mislead or deceive others, to evade legal obligations, or to interfere with the rights of others. Source: PL 24-38, § 2 (Aug. 27, 2026). Commission Comment: The Commission renumbered the section from “103” to “20103” pursuant to 1 CMC § 3806(a).
Judicial Review and Hearing
8 CMC § 20103, under Change of Name.
8 CMC § 20103