Changing your name legally costs anywhere from $50 to $500+ depending on where you live and why you’re changing it. Court filing fees are the biggest expense, but you’ll also pay for publishing notices (in some states), updating documents, and potentially hiring an attorney if your situation is complicated.

The process isn’t just about filling out a form—it involves court petitions, waiting periods, and updating everything from your driver’s license to your Social Security card. Knowing what you’ll spend helps you budget and plan the timeline.

Here’s what actually goes into the cost of changing your name.

How the Name Change Process Works

The basic process follows similar steps across most states, though specific requirements vary:

1. File a petition with your local court. You’ll complete forms explaining why you want to change your name and pay a filing fee ($150-500 depending on your location).

2. Submit required documents. Typically you need a birth certificate, valid ID, and sometimes additional paperwork like marriage or divorce certificates depending on your situation.

3. Wait for a court hearing. Some jurisdictions require you to appear before a judge who approves or denies your request. Others approve petitions without a hearing if there are no issues.

4. Publish a notice (maybe). Many states require you to announce your name change in a local newspaper for several weeks. This gives creditors or others with legal interests a chance to object.

5. Receive your court order. Once approved, you get a certified court order documenting your legal name change.

6. Update all your documents. Use your court order to change your name on your driver’s license, Social Security card, passport, bank accounts, credit cards, insurance, and anywhere else your name appears.

The whole process typically takes 6-12 weeks from filing to having your updated documents in hand.

What You’ll Pay to Change Your Name

Here’s where your money goes:

Court Filing Fees

This is your largest expense. Filing a name change petition with the court costs:

• Low-cost states: $50-150 (Kentucky, Louisiana, some counties in smaller states)
• Mid-range states: $150-300 (most states fall here)
• High-cost states: $350-500 (California, parts of New York, some urban counties)

Some courts waive filing fees if you can demonstrate financial hardship. You’ll need to file additional paperwork proving your income falls below certain thresholds.

Publication Fees

If your state requires newspaper publication, expect to pay $30-200 depending on:

• The newspaper’s classified ad rates
• How many weeks you must publish (usually 4-6 weeks)
• Whether you can choose any newspaper or must use a court-designated one

States like California, New York, and Texas require publication. Others waive it for marriage-related name changes or safety concerns (domestic violence, stalking).

Attorney Fees (If You Use One)

You don’t need a lawyer for straightforward name changes. Most people file their own petitions using court-provided forms.

If you hire an attorney, costs run:

• Simple cases: $500-1,000 for basic assistance and filing
• Complex cases: $1,500-2,500 if there are complications like custody disputes, criminal background concerns, or contested objections

Lawyers make sense if your situation involves legal complications beyond a simple personal name preference.

Document Update Fees

Once your name change is legal, you’ll update official documents:

• Social Security card: Free
• Driver’s license: $20-50 depending on your state
• Passport: $30 if within one year of issue, $130 for standard renewal otherwise
• Birth certificate (certified copy): $10-40 if you need a new one
• Professional licenses: $25-100+ depending on the type

You’ll need certified copies of your court order to submit with update applications. Courts charge $10-25 per certified copy. Get at least 5-10 copies since agencies won’t accept regular photocopies.

Total Cost Estimates

Marriage-related name change:

• Court fees: Often waived or reduced
• Publication: Usually not required
• Document updates: $50-150
• Total: $50-200

Standard personal name change:

• Court fees: $150-350
• Publication: $50-150 (if required)
• Document updates: $50-150
• Total: $250-650

Complex name change with attorney:

• Court fees: $200-500
• Publication: $75-200
• Attorney: $1,000-2,500
• Document updates: $50-150
• Total: $1,325-3,350

Factors That Affect Your Costs

Several things determine how much you’ll pay:

Your state and county. Urban counties in expensive states charge more. A name change in San Francisco costs $435-500 for court fees alone. The same process in rural Louisiana might cost $50-100.

Why you’re changing your name. Marriage and divorce often have streamlined processes with reduced fees. Personal preference changes go through the full court process with all associated costs.

Whether you need an attorney. DIY saves $500-2,500 but requires you to handle paperwork yourself. If you make mistakes, you might have to refile and pay again.

Publication requirements. States requiring newspaper notices add $50-200. Some states don’t require publication at all.

How organized you are. Getting everything right the first time saves money. Mistakes mean refiling fees, extra certified copies, and potentially redoing document updates.

Cost Differences by State

Here’s what you can expect in different states:

Low-Cost States

Kentucky: Court fees around $50, minimal publication requirements, one of the cheapest states for name changes.

Louisiana: Court fees $100-150, streamlined process with fewer bureaucratic requirements.

Hawaii: Relatively low court fees ($100-200) with simple procedures.

Mid-Range States

Florida: Court fees $150-300 depending on county, publication usually required.

Illinois: Filing fees $200-300, standard publication requirements.

Pennsylvania: Court fees $150-250, varies significantly by county.

High-Cost States

California: Court fees $435-500, publication required in most counties, can easily hit $600-700 total before attorney fees.

New York: Filing fees $210-300, mandatory publication ($50-200), total often exceeds $400-500.

Texas: Court fees $200-300, publication recommended but not always required, document updates bring total to $300-450.

Check your specific county court’s website for exact filing fees. They’re usually listed under civil or family court fee schedules.

Hidden Costs People Forget About

Beyond the obvious fees, watch for these expenses:

Time off work. Court hearings during business hours mean taking time off. If that’s unpaid leave, factor in lost wages.

Multiple document fees. You might need additional certified copies of documents like marriage certificates, divorce decrees, or birth certificates. Each costs $10-50 depending on the issuing agency.

Travel costs. If your county courthouse is far from home, factor in gas or public transit costs for multiple trips.

Notarization fees. Some documents require notarization ($5-15 per signature), though this is less common for basic name changes.

Certified mail. If you’re mailing documents to agencies, certified mail with return receipts costs $5-10 per item.

Replacement cards and documents. Beyond the official government documents, you might need to replace employee ID badges, gym memberships, library cards, and other items with your name on them.

Potential refiling fees. If you make errors on your petition or miss court dates, you’ll pay filing fees again to restart the process.

These hidden costs can add $100-300 to your total if you’re not careful.

How to Save Money on a Name Change

Cut costs with smart planning:

File your own petition. Court forms are available online in most states. Instructions walk you through the process. You’ll save $500-2,500 by not hiring an attorney for a straightforward case.

Apply for fee waivers. Many courts waive filing fees for low-income individuals. Submit a fee waiver application with proof of income. Approved waivers save $150-500.

Choose the cheapest qualifying newspaper. If publication is required, ask your court clerk which newspapers qualify and compare prices. Some charge $30 while others charge $150 for the same service.

Bundle document updates. Make one trip to update multiple documents rather than separate visits. This saves gas money and time off work.

Get enough certified copies upfront. Ordering 10 certified copies when you get your court order costs $100-200 total. Ordering them individually later costs more and requires multiple trips or mailings.

Use free legal resources. Libraries, legal aid clinics, and court self-help centers offer free assistance with paperwork. They can’t give legal advice, but they’ll help you fill out forms correctly.

Time it strategically. If changing your name after marriage, use your marriage certificate instead of filing a separate petition. If divorcing, include name restoration in your divorce decree.

Skip optional steps. Only update essential documents initially (Social Security, driver’s license, passport). You can change credit cards, subscriptions, and memberships gradually over time.

When Marriage or Divorce Changes Things

Marriage and divorce name changes often work differently than personal preference changes:

After marriage: Most states let you change your name using just your marriage certificate without a court petition. Update your Social Security card (free), driver’s license ($20-50), and other documents. Total cost: $50-150.

After divorce: Many divorce decrees include language allowing you to resume your previous name. If yours does, you can update documents using just the divorce decree without additional court filings. If not, you’ll need a separate name change petition.

Personal preference changes: Require the full court petition process with all associated costs regardless of your situation.

Marriage-related changes are cheapest because they bypass most court fees and publication requirements.

Do Name Changes Require Notarization?

Most name change petitions don’t require notarization. You sign your court petition under penalty of perjury directly to the court, which eliminates the need for a notary’s verification.

However, notarization does come up in specific situations during the name change process.

When You Might Need Notarization

Supporting affidavits – Some courts require notarized affidavits for things like proof of residency, character references, or statements explaining your reason for the name change. These aren’t always required but depend on your jurisdiction.

Parental consent for minors – If you’re changing a child’s name, most courts require notarized consent forms from both parents (or legal guardians). If one parent objects or can’t be located, you’ll need additional documentation explaining the situation.

Power of attorney – If someone is filing a name change petition on your behalf, the power of attorney document authorizing them must be notarized.

Financial institution requirements – While not legally required, some banks or financial institutions ask for notarized documents when you’re updating accounts with your new name. This is their internal policy, not a court requirement.

Employment verification – If you’re using employment records to prove your identity or residency, some courts accept notarized letters from employers as supporting documentation.

When Notarization Isn’t Needed

Your court petition – The petition itself doesn’t need notarization. You’re swearing to its accuracy directly to the court.

Marriage certificates or divorce decrees – These official documents already carry legal weight and don’t need additional notarization.

Government document updates – Social Security offices, DMVs, and passport agencies don’t require notarized documents. They accept certified court orders and government-issued IDs.

The court order itself – Your finalized name change order doesn’t need notarization—it’s already a certified court document.

Getting Documents Notarized Quickly

If you do need notarization for supporting documents, you have several options:

Traditional notaries at banks, UPS Stores, or shipping centers typically charge $10-15 per signature. You’ll need to visit during business hours with valid ID and your unsigned documents.

Mobile notaries come to your location for $75-150 including travel fees. This works well if you have mobility issues or multiple people need documents notarized.

Online notary services offer the fastest and most convenient option. You can get documents notarized via video call in under 15 minutes without leaving home.

Use BlueNotary for Fast Online Notarization

If you need supporting documents notarized for your name change, BlueNotary offers convenient online notarization in less than 10 minutes:

1. Upload your document and ID to bluenotary.us
2. Connect with a commissioned online notary via video call
3. Sign your document electronically while the notary watches
4. Receive your notarized document instantly

BlueNotary costs $25 per document and works in all states that allow remote online notarization (which is most states now). It’s faster and often cheaper than finding a notary in person, especially if you need documents notarized outside business hours.

How Much Notarization Adds to Name Change Costs

If you need notarization for supporting documents, budget an extra $10-50 depending on:

• How many documents need notarization
• Whether you use traditional notaries ($10-15 each), mobile notaries ($75-150 flat fee), or online services ($25 per document)
• How many signatures each document requires

For most name changes, notarization costs are minimal or zero since the main petition doesn’t require it.

Name Change Cost Bottom Line

Changing your name legally costs $50-650 for most people, with marriage-related changes on the lower end and personal preference changes on the higher end. Court filing fees ($150-500) are your biggest expense, followed by publication requirements ($30-200 in applicable states) and document updates ($50-150).

Research your county’s specific requirements and fees before starting. Courts post fee schedules online, and most provide forms and instructions for filing without an attorney. Understanding costs upfront prevents surprises and helps you budget for the entire process.

Plan for 2-3 months from filing your petition to having all updated documents in hand.

FAQ

How much does it cost to change your name?

Most people spend $250-650 on a standard name change, including court fees ($150-500), publication ($30-200 if required), and document updates ($50-150). Marriage-related changes are cheaper at $50-200. Complex cases requiring attorneys can cost $1,300-3,300.

What are common reasons for changing a name?

Marriage, divorce, personal preference, gender transition, cultural identity, adopting a child’s surname, or simply disliking your current name. Courts approve most name changes unless there’s evidence of fraud or avoiding legal obligations.

Do I need to publish my name change in a newspaper?

It depends on your state. Many require newspaper publication for 4-6 weeks ($30-200). Some waive this for marriage, divorce, or safety concerns like domestic violence. Check your state’s specific requirements when filing.

How long does the name change process take?

Typically 6-12 weeks from filing your petition to receiving your court order. Then allow another 2-4 weeks to update your documents. Timing varies by court backlogs and whether you need a hearing.

Can I change my name without a lawyer?

Yes. Most people handle straightforward name changes themselves using court-provided forms and instructions. Hire an attorney only if your case involves complications like custody disputes, criminal background concerns, or contested objections. You’ll save $500-2,500 by filing yourself.