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

The cost to change your name legally depends on where you live and which court handles your case. Most states charge a filing fee to submit your petition, and some charge additional fees for certified copies of the court order. A few states charge nothing at all. You may also pay for a newspaper publication if your state requires it, or for a lawyer if you hire one — but you can file the petition yourself in every state and save that expense.

The filing fee is the largest cost in most cases. This is what you pay the court to process your petition. Filing fees range from $0 in some states to $300 or more in others. After the court approves your name change, you'll need certified copies of the order to show banks, employers, and government agencies. Each certified copy costs $5 to $25 depending on the court.

Key Takeaways

  • Filing fees for a name change petition range from $0 to $300 or more depending on your state and county.
  • Certified copies of the court order cost $5 to $25 each, and you typically need multiple copies for banks, employers, and the Social Security Administration.
  • Newspaper publication, required in some states, costs $50 to $200 and is usually paid to the newspaper, not the court.
  • You can file the petition yourself without a lawyer in every state, which saves you attorney fees of $500 to $2,000.

Filing fees by state and county

The court filing fee is set by your state or county, not by a national standard. Some states have a flat fee across all counties; others let each county set its own. California charges around $435 statewide. New York charges $210 to $260 depending on the county. Texas charges $100 to $300. Illinois charges $150 to $200. Florida charges $100 to $150. Some counties in some states charge nothing.

The best way to find your exact fee is to call the district court or family court clerk in the county where you'll file. Tell them you're filing a name change petition and ask for the filing fee. The clerk can also tell you whether your state requires newspaper publication and what that costs. Many courts now post their fee schedules online, so you can check the court's website first.

Certified copies and how many you need

Once the court approves your name change, you receive a certified copy of the order — a court-stamped document that proves the change is legal. You'll need to show this to multiple agencies and organizations. The Social Security Administration requires one. Your state's motor vehicle department requires one. Your bank may require one. Your employer may require one. Each certified copy costs money.

Most courts charge $5 to $15 per certified copy. Some charge more. When you file your petition, ask the clerk how many copies you should order upfront. Most people order 5 to 10 copies at the time of filing, which costs $25 to $150 total. You can order more copies later if you need them, but ordering them all at once is usually cheaper than ordering them one at a time.

Newspaper publication costs

About half of U.S. states require you to publish a notice of your name change in a local newspaper. This is meant to give the public a chance to object to the change. The newspaper charges a fee for this publication, usually $50 to $200. You don't pay the court; you pay the newspaper directly. Some courts have a list of approved newspapers in your area; others let you choose any newspaper of general circulation.

A few states let you skip newspaper publication if you can show the court good reason — for example, if you're changing your name because of domestic violence. Ask the court clerk whether publication is required in your case and whether any exceptions explore. If publication is required, the clerk can tell you which newspapers accept these notices and what they charge.

Lawyer fees if you hire one

You do not need a lawyer to change your name. You can file the petition yourself, and courts process self-filed petitions the same way they process lawyer-filed ones. If you do hire a lawyer, expect to pay $500 to $2,000 for the entire process, depending on your location and the lawyer's rates. Some lawyers charge a flat fee for a name change; others charge hourly rates.

Legal aid organizations in your area may offer free or low-cost help with name changes if your income is below a certain level. Call your local legal aid office or search for "legal aid [your state]" online. Some law school clinics also help with name changes for free. If you're comfortable filling out forms and following court procedures, filing yourself will save you this cost entirely.

Additional costs you might encounter

If you need to change your name on a passport, the U.S. State Department charges $130 for a passport renewal with a name change (or $165 if your passport is expired). If you need to change your name on a driver's license, your state's motor vehicle department charges a fee — usually $20 to $50 — though some states charge nothing for a name change. These are separate from the court costs.

If you're changing your name as part of a divorce or adoption, the court may roll the name change fee into the larger case fee, or it may charge separately. Ask the court clerk whether the name change is included in the filing fee for your case or whether you'll pay an additional fee.

How to estimate your total cost

To get a realistic number for your situation, call the court clerk in your county and ask these questions: What is the filing fee for a name change petition? Does my state require newspaper publication? If so, what do newspapers in this area charge? How much do certified copies cost, and how many should I order? Once you have these numbers, add them together.

A typical total might look like this: $200 filing fee + $100 for newspaper publication + $75 for five certified copies = $375. But your total could be lower (if your state charges no filing fee or doesn't require publication) or higher (if your county's filing fee is $300 and you order more copies). The clerk's office can give you an exact estimate in one phone call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay the filing fee upfront, or can I pay it when I file?

You pay the filing fee when you submit your petition to the court. You can pay by cash, check, credit card, or money order depending on what the court accepts. Call ahead to ask what payment methods the court takes.

Can I get the filing fee waived if I can't afford it?

Many courts allow you to request a fee waiver if you cannot afford the filing fee. You'll need to fill out a form showing your income and expenses. The court decides whether to grant the waiver. Ask the clerk whether your court offers fee waivers and what form you need to complete.

How many certified copies should I order?

Order at least five copies. You'll need one for Social Security, one for your state ID or driver's license, and one for your bank. Keep one for your records. If you have other institutions that require proof of the name change, order an extra copy for each. Ordering extra copies upfront is cheaper than ordering them later.

What if I change my name and then want to change it back?

Changing your name back costs the same as the original change — you'll pay another filing fee, and possibly another newspaper publication fee. There is no discount for a second petition. Some courts process name-change reversals faster, but the cost is the same.

Does the cost differ if I'm changing my name because of marriage or divorce?

Marriage name changes are often handled through the vital records office or motor vehicle department and may cost less than a court petition — sometimes $0 to $50. Divorce name changes are usually included in the divorce filing fee. Court-ordered name changes for other reasons follow the standard filing fee. Ask your court which process applies to your situation.