FISCAL NOTE TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 967

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JULY 24, 1996

      Assembly Bill No. 967 (1R) of 1996 would prevent inmates in correctional facilities from changing their names at public expense. Currently, persons may apply to the court for indigency status, which if granted, allows them to file court documents without paying filing fees. This bill would prohibit prisoners from claiming indigency in order to obtain a waiver of fees for name change requests. Prisoners who wish to change their names will have to do so at their own expense, rather than at the taxpayers'.

      According to information obtained from the Administrative Office of the Courts, the cost of filing a name change in Superior Court is $135 per applicant. Once the name change has been approved, the claimant must file the name change with the Secretary of State at a cost of $50. Thus, for every inmate who files for a name change, the State would save about $185.

      The Office of Legislative Services concurs.

This fiscal note has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67.