Matter of Boquin |
2009 NY Slip Op 29136 [24 Misc 3d 473] |
April 1, 2009 |
Giacomo, J. |
Supreme Court, Westchester County |
Published by New York State Law Reporting Bureau pursuant to Judiciary Law § 431. |
As corrected through Wednesday, July 29, 2009 |
In the Matter of Carlo F. Zelaya Boquin, for Leave to Change His Name to Carlo F. Zelaya Boquin Quinn. |
Supreme Court, Westchester County, April 1, 2009
APPEARANCES OF COUNSEL
Juliette S. Levin, New York City, for petitioner.
William J. Giacomo, J.
Petitioner seeks to change his name from Carlo F. Zelaya Boquin to Carlo F. Zelaya Boquin Quinn to formally adopt the last name he has used his whole life, "Quinn," which is the surname of the couple that raised him.
Although one does not need permission of the court to change one's name ([*2]Smith v United States Cas. Co., 197 NY 420 [1910]),[FN1] public policy favors a court's review and granting of name change applications because this makes the change of name a{**24 Misc 3d at 474} matter of public record. (Matter of Halligan, 46 AD2d 170 [4th Dept 1974]; Matter of Mohomed, 3 Misc 3d 402 [Sup Ct, Rockland County 2004]; Matter of Linda Ann A., 126 Misc 2d 43, 44 [Sup Ct, Queens County 1984].)
A court should not rubber-stamp any application for a name change as it is the court's obligation to ensure that the name change will not be a source of fraud, evasion or interference with the rights of others. (See Matter of J.O.T., 120 Misc 2d 817 [Fam Ct, Kings County 1983].)
In support of his application, petitioner submits a verified petition that complies with the provisions for a name change found in Civil Rights Law § 61[FN2] together with petitioner's birth certificate from Honduras, although the petition does not state if he is still a citizen of Honduras. In his application, petitioner states that he is a "permanent resident of the United States," but submits no proof of this to the court.
Also attached to the petition is an affidavit of petitioner's wife, Sara Carbone, who consents to the application. However, a copy of his marriage license is not annexed to the petition; therefore the court cannot make any determination if the petitioner's name was changed pursuant to Civil Rights Law § 65.[FN3]
While citizenship[FN4] is not a prerequisite to obtaining a change of name under the statutory framework of the Civil Rights Law (see Civil Rights Law art 6; Matter of Mohomed, supra), a court may deny an application by an alien absent proof of his or her [*3]immigration status and stated intent to remain in the United{**24 Misc 3d at 475} States. (See also Matter of Lipschutz, 178 Misc 113 [Sup Ct, Queens County 1941].)
In the instant matter, as indicated, petitioner submits no proof that he is a permanent resident of the United States. The petition does not state petitioner's intentions with regard to remaining in the United States and does not indicate that, if the application were granted, he would advise the appropriate authorities in the United States and Honduras of the name change. (See Matter of Mohomed, supra.)
While the court has no reason to doubt that petitioner's motives are anything but proper, nonetheless, the court "must recognize the realities of the world we live in after the events of September 11, 2001 and the need to ensure compliance with the applicable immigration laws." (Matter of Mohomed, 3 Misc 3d at 403.)
Accordingly, in the absence of proof regarding petitioner's immigration status and a statement that he will report the change of name to the appropriate authorities in the United States and Honduras, the application is denied without prejudice to renewal upon a properly supported petition.