In re an Individual to Change Name

OPINION OF THE COURT

Philip S. Straniere, J.

Currently before the court is an application of an individual with a disability to have her name legally changed, pursuant to Civil Rights Law article 6. The applicant is a 19-year-old female and has stated sufficient grounds to have her name changed but for the fact that the court has been informed that the applicant is classified as “mentally retarded.” A hearing was held on February 24, 2003 to determine if the applicant was capable of making such a decision on her own. The applicant was accompanied by her natural mother and a case*498worker from the…