If you were convicted of certain crimes, you may not be able to change your name.

If you were convicted of any of these crimes, you cannot file a name change in Illinois:

• A felony or misdemeanor for any of the following, unless you have been pardoned:
  • Criminal sexual abuse when the victim at the time of the act was under 18,
  • Sexual exploitation of a child,
  • Indecent solicitation of a child,
  • Indecent solicitation of an adult,
  • Any offense requiring registering as a sex offender, or
  • Identity theft.
• Any other felony, unless it has been 10 years since you completed your sentence, or you have been pardoned.

If your conviction is not in this list, it is not a barrier to you changing your name

For certain cannabis convictions, you may still be able to change your name. A lawyer can help you see if this is possible.