A helpful reader has explained how to do an out-of-state name change for Arizona residents. Basic info is here:
The process is similar in many states, but you need to check with the state where you legally reside. It’s usually your parents’ residence if you are a dependent, and the state where you are registered to vote and where your tax return lists you as residing. If work or school does not allow you to travel to your home state to complete a name change, there are other options, as this resourceful reader explains:
How to legally change your name in Maricopa county when you are living out of state (ex. attending college), but still a resident of Arizona:
0. Note that at any time if you have questions, you can call the clerk of the court. Technically they’re not allowed to tell you a lot of things, but don’t let them hang up on you and ask your questions anyway. They might be able to answer anyways.
1. Go to the Superior Court website, find the self-service center, and select the link “Court Forms.” Legal name changes are civil cases, and so select that category. Select the appropriate link; for example, I needed to use “Name Change for an Adult who has no Minor Children.”
2. Open the appropriate packet as a PDF, and print it out SINGLE-SIDED. The court does NOT accept double-sided papers (something to do with their scanning system). That part is a legal law, but they do not tell you directly on the website. Because it is the Superior Court, they either assume you know what you are doing or that you have hired a lawyer. After printing, carefully read the directions. I had to read them a few times, and check back and forth between the forms to understand what they were getting at.
3. Note that you can ignore Step 5, “Notify Any Interested Party,” if you are not married. This also means you don’t need a few of the pages included in the packet.
4. Fill out “Application for Change of Name for Adult” and “Civil Cover Sheet” papers. You do not yet have a case number; don’t worry about it. In case others are confused as I was, you are the Plaintiff. You probably don’t have any Defendants. Don’t forget about the question of “Interpreter” on the top right of the civil cover sheet, and sign that box.
5. Locate which Superior Court to send your documents to; they do it by zipcode. (In Maricopa County there are 4 of them.) You can call the clerk of any of the courts and ask; tell them the zipcode of your permanent residence in Arizona, and they’ll tell you which court to send the stuff to.
6. Get the “Application for Change of Name of Adult” paper notarized (your local bank can probably do that) and copied the appropriate number of times. If they notarize things with a press-seal rather than a colored seal, have them photocopy the pages and then notarize all the copies individually. Photocopy the Civil Cover Sheet the appropriate number of times as well. (And don’t forget, you might want an extra copy of each to keep at home with you.)
7. Check the fees, and either fill out a check or money order for the filing of a legal name change. I wouldn’t recommend cash, because that’s a lot of money you can lose if you just stick it in the mail. Gather that, the appropriate number of copies of forms (you just need the Civil Cover Sheet and Application for name change at the moment), and a 9” x 12” envelope addressed FROM the appropriate Superior Court with TO address of where you want stuff sent back to. ALL ADDRESSES ON THE FORMS SHOULD BE OF YOUR PERMANENT ADDRESS IN ARIZONA. Take these all to your local post office, and have them stamp that 9” x 12” envelope based on having about 10 to 15 pages inside. (That’s more postage than will probably be needed, but being on the safe side is good.) FINALLY, put everything in an envelope large enough to contain the 9” x 12” envelope. You can expedite this if you want, or not. I recommend at least getting a tracking code on your stuff.
Mail it to the appropriate court.
So, in the bigger envelope: fees, forms, and 9x12 envelope.
8. Now you wait. It’s annoying. If you filled everything out right and payed the fees correctly, they give you a case number and a phone number to call. By the time you get your envelope back, the waiting period will probably be over, but don’t freak out if your case isn’t in the system yet the first couple of days.
9. Schedule a telephonic hearing. They DEFINITELY prefer you to be in person, so if you can schedule it over a break from school, that’s awesome. Otherwise, keep pestering them and explain why you need it done telephonically and can’t wait. At this point, I was actually in Arizona and scheduled my hearing while there, but if not, you may need to send in another few forms and return envelope(s). I am uncertain on this point. Call a Clerk of the Court, or ask the secretary of your judge/commisioner.
10. Congratulations, it’s your hearing day! Just be truthful, because they swear you in. Once your hearing is over, ask if they’d be willing to fax an unofficial copy (if you have access to a fax. Sometimes people in college offices can be friendly and lend you theirs). The unofficial copy doesn’t do anything, unless (like mine) your school is willing to take that as “good enough” and change their systems. The only difference between and unofficial and an official copy is a notarization, and the fact that the legal change has been processed through all the court systems.
11. Find a form requesting a copy of the court order of your legal name change. (You may have to wait two or three weeks to do this, while stuff in their systems gets processed.) I didn’t actually have to do this and so don’t know where to find the form online. If you can’t find it, I suggest calling the Clerk of the Court, or possibly one of the libraries. If you call enough lawyers, one MIGHT be willing to help you out for free. Mail in that form, the appropriate fees, a return envelope, etc.
12. Congratulations, you now have an OFFICIAL court order stating your legal name! 
Unfortunately there’s a bit more.
13. Go to the nearest Social Security office and file for a new social security card. Once you get that (it took me a week), go to the post office and file for a renewed passport due to a legal name change. Note that this passport form is DIFFERENT than the one to simply renew a passport. I think mine was purple in color; I apologize for not having more details on that issue.
14. If you can, as soon as possible after getting your new social security card, get your driver’s license or state ID changed. I’m pretty sure you have to be in person to do that, however.
15. Tell everyone else who needs to be told that your name has been legally changed (i.e. doctors, credit card companies, the bank, AAA, your parents perhaps, etc.) This may take a while, and can actually be done on an as-needed basis.
16. Congratulations! You’re done! Have a party. Invite friends. Enjoy your new legal name.
