1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to marriage dissolution; providing for a certificate of name change after 
1.3 	marriage dissolution; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 518.27.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 518.27, is amended to read:
1.6 	518.27 NAME OF PARTY.
1.7 	(a) Except as provided in section  259.13, in the final decree of dissolution or legal 
1.8 	separation the court shall, if requested by a party, change the name of that party to another 
1.9 	name as the party requests. The court shall grant a request unless it finds that there is 
1.10 	an intent to defraud or mislead, unless the name change is subject to section  259.13, in 
1.11 	which case the requirements of that section apply. The court shall notify the parties that 
1.12 	use of a different surname after dissolution or legal separation without complying with 
1.13 	section  259.13, if applicable, is a gross misdemeanor. The party's new name shall be 
1.14 	so designated in the final decree. 
1.15 	(b) A party whose name has been changed by a final decree of dissolution or legal 
1.16 	separation may request the court administrator to give the party a certificated copy of a 
1.17 	certificate of name change. The certificate must state: 
1.18 	(1) the prior name of the party and the name following entry of the final decree; and 
1.19 	(2) the date of the judgment and decree. 
1.20 	The certificate of name change is conclusive evidence of the facts recited in it.