The cost to change your name ranges from $0 to $500 depending on where you live and what route you take

Most states charge a court filing fee between $150 and $300 to process a name change petition. Some counties are cheaper — you might pay $50 to $100 in a rural area. A few states have no filing fee at all if you meet income requirements, and some allow you to change your name for free on certain documents like a driver's license or Social Security card once the court order is in place. The real cost depends on your state, your county, and whether you need to hire a lawyer.

If you handle the paperwork yourself, you'll pay only the court fee. If you hire an attorney, add $500 to $2,000 on top of that. Published name changes in a newspaper — required in some states — cost another $50 to $200. Certified copies of your court order, which you'll need to show banks and employers, run $5 to $25 each, and you'll probably need several.

Key Takeaways

  • Court filing fees are the main cost and typically run $150 to $300, though some states charge less or waive the fee based on income.
  • You can file the petition yourself for just the court fee, or hire a lawyer for $500 to $2,000 additional.
  • Some states require you to publish your name change in a newspaper, which adds $50 to $200 to your total.
  • Once you have a court order, changing your name on a driver's license, Social Security card, and passport is free or costs only a small fee.
  • You'll need multiple certified copies of your court order, which cost $5 to $25 each depending on the county.

Court filing fees by state

Every state charges a filing fee to submit your name change petition to the court, but the amount varies widely. States like California, New York, and Texas charge $200 to $300. States like Colorado, Georgia, and Oregon charge $100 to $150. A handful of states — including some in the Midwest — charge $50 to $75. A few states waive or reduce the fee if your household income is below a certain threshold, usually around 200% of the federal poverty line.

Your county clerk's office can tell you the exact fee for your location. You can also find it on your state court system's website under "name change" or "civil petitions." The fee is non-refundable even if the court denies your petition, though this is rare if you've filled out the forms correctly.

Newspaper publication costs

About half of U.S. states require you to publish your name change in a local newspaper as a matter of public record. This is meant to give creditors and other parties notice of the change. The newspaper charges a fee to run the notice, usually once a week for two to four weeks. Most newspapers charge $50 to $200 total for this service, though some charge per insertion.

You don't get to choose which newspaper — the court will direct you to an approved publication in your county, usually the one with the largest circulation. Call the newspaper's legal notices department and ask for the cost before you file. Some courts will tell you the approximate cost upfront. If publication is required in your state and you skip it, the court will reject your petition.

Hiring a lawyer versus doing it yourself

You can file a name change petition without a lawyer in every state. The forms are straightforward, available free from your county clerk or your state court system's website, and the process is designed for people to handle on their own. If you're comfortable reading instructions and filling out a form, you can do this for just the court fee.

Hire a lawyer if the process feels overwhelming, if you have a criminal record and worry about disclosure, or if you're changing a minor's name and expect custody complications. A lawyer will charge $500 to $2,000 depending on your state and the complexity of your case. Some offer flat fees for straightforward name changes; others charge hourly rates. A lawyer's main value is handling the paperwork correctly the first time and showing up in court if the judge wants to ask questions, though most name change hearings are uncontested and the judge approves the petition on paper.

Certified copies and document updates

Once the court approves your name change, you'll receive a certified copy of the order. This is the document you show to banks, employers, schools, and government agencies to prove your name legally changed. The court clerk charges $5 to $25 per certified copy depending on your state and county. Order at least three to five copies — one for your records, one for your employer or school, one for your bank, and extras for any other institutions that ask.

Updating your name on a driver's license, Social Security card, and passport is free or nearly free. The DMV charges a small fee (usually $10 to $30) to reissue your license. Social Security charges nothing to update your card. The State Department charges $130 to $165 to renew a passport, but you'd pay that anyway if your passport was expiring soon. These updates are not optional — you'll need them to open accounts, travel, and prove your identity.

Fee waivers and reduced costs

Many states allow you to request a fee waiver or reduction if you cannot afford the court filing fee. You'll need to fill out a form — usually called an "Application for Waiver of Court Fees" or "Affidavit of Indigency" — and submit it with your name change petition. The form asks about your income, expenses, and assets. If the judge approves it, you pay nothing or a reduced amount.

Income thresholds vary by state. Some use 200% of the federal poverty line; others use 250% or 300%. A single person earning around $28,000 to $42,000 per year might may have access to, depending on your state. You don't need to be homeless or unemployed to request a waiver — you just need to show that the fee would create a hardship. The court decides, and most approve straightforward requests.

Costs for minors and special circumstances

Changing a minor's name costs the same filing fee as an adult name change, but you may need to involve both parents or guardians. If one parent objects, the process takes longer and you might need a lawyer to argue your case in court. This could add $1,000 to $3,000 to your total cost. If the minor is in foster care or has a court-appointed guardian, the process involves the child welfare system and may require a separate hearing.

Changing your name after a divorce is sometimes cheaper. Some states allow you to change your name as part of the divorce decree without filing a separate petition, which saves the filing fee. Ask your divorce attorney or the court clerk whether this option is available in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name for free?

You can get the court fee waived if your income is low enough, which makes the only cost the newspaper publication fee (if required in your state) and certified copies. Some states with no publication requirement and a fee waiver mean you pay nothing except for certified copies, which are optional if you don't need them for work or banking.

Do I have to pay the filing fee upfront?

Yes, you pay the filing fee when you submit your petition to the court clerk. If you're requesting a fee waiver, submit the waiver form and petition together — the clerk will hold your petition while the judge reviews the waiver request, usually within a few days.

What if I can't afford certified copies?

You only need certified copies if you're updating your name with employers, banks, or government agencies. If you're not changing your name on official documents, you don't need them. When you do need them, order several at once — the per-copy cost is usually lower when you order in bulk.

Does the cost change if I'm changing my name for gender reasons?

No, the court fees and process are identical regardless of your reason for changing your name. Some states have separate procedures for gender marker changes on your birth certificate or driver's license, which may have their own fees, but the name change itself costs the same.

Can I get my money back if the court denies my petition?

No, the filing fee is non-refundable. However, courts rarely deny straightforward name change petitions if you've filled out the forms correctly and met all the requirements. Denials usually happen only if you're trying to change your name to commit fraud or evade a legal obligation.