In re Gutkaiss

OPINION OF THE COURT

John G. Connor, J.

Petitioner seeks an order pursuant to article 6 of the Civil Rights Law authorizing him to assume the name of “Timothy George Dunagan,” on the grounds that he wishes to honor his mother’s maiden name since she passed away in 1996. No other *212rationale is given by petitioner. The Columbia County Sheriffs Department opposes the instant petition on the grounds that (1) the venue of the proceeding is improper, and (2) it would not be in the best interests of society to allow petitioner to change his name.

In general, in the absence of a demonstrable reason, an…