§ 1634.Evidence - Determination

Chapter 33: Change of Name · Last amended May 19, 1953 · Last verified August 3, 2026

In one sentenceRequires the petition's material allegations to be proven by sworn evidence and directs the court to grant the name change unless it finds the change is sought for an illegal or fraudulent purpose or that a material allegation is false.

Full Text of § 1634

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The material allegations of the petition shall be sustained by sworn evidence, and the prayer of the petition shall be granted unless the court or judge finds that the change is sought for an illegal or fraudulent purpose, or that a material allegation in the petition is false.

Amendment History

Laws 1953, SB 149, p. 57, § 4, emerg. eff. 5/19/1953.

Plain-English Summary

Section 1634 sets the standard the court applies at the hearing. The petitioner has to back up the petition's material allegations with sworn evidence. From there, the statute tilts toward granting the change: the court must grant the petition unless it finds the change is sought for an illegal or fraudulent purpose, or that some material allegation in the petition is false.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it take to win a name-change petition in Oklahoma?

Sworn evidence supporting the petition's material allegations; the court must then grant the change unless it finds an illegal or fraudulent purpose or a false material allegation.

On what grounds can a court deny a name change?

Only if it finds the change is sought for an illegal or fraudulent purpose, or that a material allegation in the petition is false.

Is unsworn testimony enough to support the petition?

No, the statute requires the material allegations to be sustained by sworn evidence.

Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes, enacted by the Oklahoma Legislature. Last verified August 3, 2026. · Official source

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