Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s Children Continue Legal Name Change Process as Zahara and Maddox Advance Court Petitions

Zahara and Maddox Take Another Step Toward Legally Using the Jolie Surname

Two of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s children have moved forward with legal petitions seeking to remove “Pitt” from their names, marking another development in a process that has attracted widespread public attention.

Recent court filings indicate that Zahara and Maddox have completed one of the required legal procedures under California law, bringing their requests closer to review by a judge. While the petitions have not yet been approved, fulfilling this requirement allows each case to proceed through the next stage of the legal process.

The developments come after several members of the Jolie-Pitt family have publicly used the Jolie surname in recent years, prompting ongoing interest in the family’s changing public identities.

California Law Requires Public Notice Before a Name Change Hearing

In California, changing a legal name involves more than simply submitting paperwork to the court. Individuals requesting a name change must follow several legal steps before a judge considers whether to approve the request.

One of those requirements is the publication of a legal notice in an approved newspaper. The notice informs the public that an individual has requested a legal name change and allows time for any objections permitted under state law.

Court records show that both Zahara and Maddox completed this publication requirement, allowing their petitions to continue through the legal system.

According to the filings, Zahara is seeking to legally use the name Zahara Marley Jolie, while Maddox is requesting the legal name Maddox Chivan Jolie.

At this stage, the publication of these notices does not mean the requests have been approved. Instead, it represents one procedural step before the scheduled court hearings.

Publication of Legal Notices Marks an Important Milestone

Legal notices are a routine part of many name change proceedings in California. Although the process often receives little public attention, it becomes more visible when well-known public figures or members of high-profile families are involved.

The notices for Zahara and Maddox were reportedly published in accordance with state requirements, making the proposed changes part of the public record.

Once proof that the notices have been published is submitted to the court, judges are able to review the petitions during scheduled hearings.

This requirement exists to promote transparency and ensure that legal name changes follow established judicial procedures.

Court Hearings Have Been Scheduled

Following completion of the publication requirement, both petitions are expected to move to individual court hearings later this year.

Current court schedules indicate that Maddox’s petition will be reviewed first, with a hearing planned for mid-September. Zahara’s hearing is expected to take place approximately two weeks later.

During these hearings, a judge will examine each petition and determine whether the requested legal name changes satisfy California’s legal standards.

Until a judge issues a ruling, neither request has officially been approved.

A Look Back at Maddox and Zahara’s Family History

Maddox and Zahara have long been part of one of Hollywood’s most recognized families.

Maddox was born in Battambang, Cambodia, and was adopted by Angelina Jolie in 2002 after she visited the country during humanitarian work. Several years later, Brad Pitt also legally adopted him.

Zahara was born in Hawassa, Ethiopia, and joined Angelina Jolie’s family through adoption in 2005 as an infant. Brad Pitt later became her legal adoptive father as well.

Over the years, both have largely remained out of the spotlight compared with many celebrity children, although they have occasionally appeared alongside their mother at public events, film premieres, and humanitarian initiatives.

Name Changes Are Personal Legal Decisions

Legal experts frequently note that adults seeking to change their names may do so for many different personal, cultural, professional, or family-related reasons.

California law does not require applicants to provide extensive public explanations for their requests, provided the petitions comply with legal requirements and are not intended for fraudulent purposes.

Because of privacy considerations, courts generally focus on whether statutory requirements have been met rather than evaluating personal family matters.

For that reason, the court filings themselves provide only limited information regarding the motivations behind individual requests.

Public Interest Remains High

The Jolie-Pitt family has remained the focus of significant media attention since Angelina Jolie filed for divorce from Brad Pitt in 2016.

Since then, many developments involving custody matters, legal proceedings, and public appearances have generated widespread discussion across entertainment media.

The latest name change petitions have once again placed the family in the headlines, particularly because several of the siblings have previously appeared publicly using only the Jolie surname.

Observers note that these legal proceedings concern only the names individuals wish to use legally and do not, by themselves, establish conclusions regarding private family relationships.

What Happens Next?

The next phase of the process will take place during the scheduled court hearings.

If the court determines that each petition satisfies California’s legal requirements, the requested name changes may be approved through formal judicial orders.

Until those hearings occur, the petitions remain pending.

As with all civil court proceedings, final decisions rest with the presiding judge, and official records will determine the outcome once hearings conclude.

The developments represent another chapter in the evolving public story of one of Hollywood’s most closely followed families. While public interest remains strong, the legal process will continue according to California law, with future court decisions expected to determine whether the requested name changes become official.