What are the "Legal Notices - Private Party" in the Classifieds section of The Village Voice?

There are several of these. I am absolutely baffled by them. The best I can figure out is that they have something to do with a legal name change. But why are they posted in a newspaper? And why are these people’s addresses published? What is the purpose of this, and what is this about? Here is an example:

Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, New York County, on 07/14/2009, bearing Index Number NC-001512–09/NY, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 111 Center St, New York, NY 10013, grants me the right to ASSUME THE NAME OF: JANET DUTAN. My Present name is: JHANET DUTAN AKA JANET DUTAN, AKA MARIA JANET DUTAN. My present address is 40–40 Junction Blvd, apt 3f, Corona, NY 11368. My place of birth is Queens, New York. My date of birth is December 31, 1989.

What the f? There are 4 of these. They are each identical to this one, but with varying names and addresses and such. They are under “Legal Notices – Private Party,” which is a random section amongst more typical classified sections. Please tell me everything you can about the purpose and meaning of these weird legal notices.