Name change costs vary by state, but most people pay between $150 and $500 total

The cost to change your name depends entirely on which state you live in and whether you handle it yourself or hire a lawyer. Court filing fees range from around $100 in some states to $300 or more in others. If you use a lawyer, you'll add $500 to $2,000 on top of the court fee, depending on how complex your case is and what the lawyer charges per hour.

The good news: you don't need a lawyer for a straightforward name change. Most people can file the paperwork themselves and pay only the court fee. The bad news: that fee is set by your state, and you can't negotiate it or avoid it. Some states also charge extra fees for publishing your name change in a newspaper, which is required in many jurisdictions.

The actual breakdown depends on where you live. A few states charge under $200 total. Others charge $300 to $400. A handful charge more. The only way to know your exact cost is to call your local district court or superior court and ask what they charge for a name change petition.

Key Takeaways

  • Court filing fees for a name change range from roughly $100 to $300 depending on your state, and this is the main cost most people pay.
  • You do not need a lawyer to change your name in most cases, which saves you $500 to $2,000 in legal fees.
  • Many states require you to publish your name change in a newspaper, which costs $50 to $200 and is a separate fee from the court filing.
  • Your county clerk or district court can tell you the exact fee for your location and whether publication is required in your area.

What the court filing fee covers

The court filing fee is what you pay to submit your name change petition to the court. This fee goes to the court system itself, not to a lawyer or any other service. It covers the cost of processing your paperwork, storing your case file, and issuing the court order that makes your name change official.

This fee is non-refundable, even if the court denies your petition. However, denials are rare for straightforward name changes. Most courts approve them unless there's a specific reason to object — for example, if you're trying to change your name to evade a criminal conviction or defraud someone.

The filing fee is set by each state's legislature and varies widely. Some states keep it low (under $150), while others charge $250 or more. A few states charge different amounts depending on whether you're an adult or a minor, or whether you're changing your name as part of a divorce or adoption.

Newspaper publication costs

Many states require you to publish your name change in a newspaper before the court will finalize it. This is called a "notice of petition" or "notice of name change," and it's meant to give the public a chance to object if they have a reason to do so.

If your state requires publication, you'll need to place an ad in a newspaper that serves your county. The cost depends on the newspaper and how many times you have to run the ad. Most states require one or two publications, usually a week apart. A single publication typically costs $50 to $150, so the total publication cost is usually $100 to $200.

Some states let you choose which newspaper to use, as long as it's a general-circulation paper in your county. Others specify which paper you must use. After you publish, you'll need to bring proof of publication (usually a tear sheet from the newspaper) to court when you file your final paperwork.

Not all states require publication. A few allow you to skip it if you can show the court that publication would cause you hardship or danger — for example, if you're changing your name to escape domestic violence. Ask your court clerk whether publication is required in your state and whether any exceptions explore to you.

When you might need to hire a lawyer

Most name changes don't require a lawyer. If you're an adult changing your name for personal reasons, you can file the paperwork yourself. The forms are straightforward, and court staff can often answer basic questions about how to fill them out.

You may want to hire a lawyer if your situation is complicated. Examples include: you're changing a minor's name and the other parent objects, you have a criminal record and worry the court might deny your petition, you're changing your name as part of a divorce or adoption and want one lawyer to handle everything, or you straightforward don't want to navigate the court system yourself.

If you do hire a lawyer, costs vary widely. Some charge a flat fee of $500 to $1,000 for a straightforward name change. Others charge hourly rates of $150 to $400 per hour, which means a straightforward case might cost $500 to $1,500 total. Complex cases — especially those involving objections from another party — can cost $2,000 or more.

How to find out your state's exact cost

The fastest way to learn what you'll pay is to call your county's district court, superior court, or circuit court. Ask for the clerk's office and tell them you want to change your name. They'll tell you the filing fee, whether publication is required, and which newspaper to use if it is.

You can also search online for "[your state] name change fee" or "[your county] name change cost." Many state court websites publish fee schedules, and some county clerk websites have dedicated pages for name changes that list the exact cost.

If you're considering hiring a lawyer, call a few in your area and ask what they charge for a name change. Many offer free initial consultations, so you can ask questions without paying anything upfront.

Costs for changing your name on documents after the court order

Once the court approves your name change, you'll need to update your name on various documents. These updates have their own costs, though most are small.

A new Social Security card is free — you just fill out a form and mail it to Social Security with your court order. A new driver's license or state ID costs $15 to $50 depending on your state. A new passport costs $130 to $165 if you're renewing it anyway, or $110 to $130 if you're just changing the name on an existing passport. A new birth certificate costs $10 to $30 depending on your state.

These document costs add up, but they're separate from the court filing fee. Budget an extra $200 to $300 if you need to update multiple documents, though you may not need all of them right away.

Fee waivers if you can't afford the court fee

If you can't afford the court filing fee, you can ask the court to waive it. This is called a "fee waiver" or "motion to waive fees," and courts are required to consider your request if you show that paying the fee would cause you hardship.

To request a waiver, you'll fill out a form (usually called an "Affidavit of Indigency" or "process for Fee Waiver") that describes your income and expenses. You submit it to the court along with your name change petition. The judge will review it and decide whether to waive the fee.

Courts grant fee waivers regularly, especially for people with low income or significant expenses. There's no penalty for asking, and the court won't hold it against you if you request one. Ask your court clerk for the fee waiver form and instructions on how to file it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name without going to court?

No. In all 50 states, you must go through the court system to change your name legally. Some states allow you to change your name as part of another court case (like a divorce or adoption), but you still need a court order. Without a court order, your name change won't be recognized by the government or most institutions.

Do I have to pay the court fee upfront?

Yes. You pay the filing fee when you submit your petition to the court. You can't pay it later or in installments. If you can't afford it, you can request a fee waiver before you file, but you have to pay it before the court will process your case unless the waiver is granted.

What if I change my mind after I pay the filing fee?

The filing fee is non-refundable. If you decide not to proceed with the name change after you've paid and filed, you can ask the court to dismiss your case, but you won't get the fee back. Make sure you're ready to go through with it before you file.

Is the cost the same if I'm changing my name as part of a divorce?

It depends on your state. Some states let you change your name as part of the divorce case for no extra fee beyond the divorce filing fee. Others charge a separate fee for the name change even if it's part of a divorce. Ask your court clerk or divorce lawyer what applies in your situation.

Do I have to pay to publish my name change in the newspaper?

Yes, if your state requires publication. The newspaper charges you directly for the ad, and you have to pay before you can get proof of publication to show the court. The cost is separate from the court filing fee and usually ranges from $100 to $200 total.