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

The cost to change your name legally depends on where you live. Most states charge a filing fee that ranges from $150 to $300, plus the cost of serving notice to other parties (usually $50 to $200 more). Some states charge less—a handful ask for under $100—while a few urban courts charge $400 or more. If you hire a lawyer to handle the paperwork, add $500 to $1,500 on top of court fees.

The largest variable is whether you do the work yourself or pay someone else to do it. Court fees are set by your state and county. Lawyer fees are not. If money is tight, most courts allow you to ask the judge to waive or reduce fees if you cannot afford them—this is called a fee waiver or hardship waiver, and courts must consider your request.

Key Takeaways

  • Court filing fees range from under $100 in some states to $400 or more in others, depending on your county.
  • You will also pay to serve notice on the other party (usually $50 to $200), unless the court waives this step.
  • Hiring a lawyer adds $500 to $1,500, but you can file the paperwork yourself for just the court fees.
  • If you cannot afford the fees, you can ask the court for a fee waiver by filling out a financial form.
  • Some states charge extra for certified copies of the final order, which you will need to update your ID and other documents.

Breaking down the court filing fee

The court filing fee is what you pay to start the case. This is the largest single cost and goes directly to the court. In most states, this fee is between $150 and $300. Some examples: California charges around $435 in many counties, New York charges $210 to $335 depending on the county, Texas charges $100 to $300, and Florida charges $200 to $400. A few states like Wyoming and South Dakota charge under $100.

The fee is set by the state legislature and the individual county court, so it does not change based on your reason for the change or your personal situation. You pay the same amount whether you are changing your name after marriage, for personal reasons, or any other reason. The court will not reduce this fee based on hardship, but you can ask the court to waive it entirely if you cannot afford it.

Service and notice costs

After you file, you must notify the other party (if there is one) that you have filed for a name change. In most cases, this means serving papers on your spouse if you are married, or on the other parent if you are changing a child's name. Service means delivering the court papers to them in a way the court recognizes—usually by certified mail, sheriff's deputy, or a process server.

Certified mail costs $10 to $20. A sheriff's deputy typically charges $50 to $150 per service. A private process server charges $75 to $300 depending on location and difficulty. Some courts allow you to serve the other party yourself by hand delivery, which costs nothing. In uncontested cases (where everyone agrees), many courts waive service entirely, so ask the clerk whether you need to serve anyone at all.

Lawyer fees if you hire one

A lawyer can handle the entire process for you—filing the paperwork, arranging service, and appearing in court if needed. Lawyer fees for a straightforward name change typically run $500 to $1,500, though some charge flat rates and others charge hourly. In major cities, expect the higher end of that range. In rural areas or smaller towns, you may find lawyers charging $300 to $800.

Many lawyers will quote you a flat fee for an uncontested name change, meaning the price does not go up if the case takes longer. Always ask whether the quote includes court fees or just the lawyer's work. Some lawyers bundle everything; others add court fees on top. If you cannot afford a lawyer, many legal aid organizations offer free or low-cost help with name changes—search "[your state] legal aid name change" to find one near you.

Certified copies and document updates

Once the court grants your name change, you will receive an order signed by the judge. You will need certified copies of this order to update your driver's license, Social Security card, passport, and other documents. The court charges a fee for each certified copy, usually $1 to $5 per page. Most people order 5 to 10 copies to have on hand.

Some courts include a few free certified copies with the final order; others charge for every copy. Ask the clerk how many free copies you get and what the per-copy cost is. You can also order certified copies by mail after the case closes, though this takes longer and may cost more. Budget an extra $10 to $50 for certified copies depending on how many you need.

Fee waivers if you cannot afford the cost

If you cannot afford the court filing fee, you can ask the court to waive it. You do this by filling out a form called a "Request for Fee Waiver," "process to Proceed In Forma Pauperis," or similar (the exact name varies by state). The form asks about your income, expenses, and assets. You submit it to the court along with your name change petition.

The judge reviews your financial information and decides whether to waive the fee. There is no income cutoff—the judge looks at your whole situation. If you are approved, you pay nothing. If you are denied, you can still ask the judge to reduce the fee instead of waiving it entirely. Fee waivers are free to request and do not hurt your case. The court clerk can give you the form, or you can find it on your state court's website.

Costs for changing a child's name

Changing a minor child's name costs the same as changing an adult's name—the court filing fee, service costs, and certified copies are identical. The difference is in who must be notified. If both parents are married and agree, service may be waived. If the parents are unmarried or divorced, you must serve the other parent, which adds $50 to $300 depending on the method. If parental rights have been terminated, you may not need to serve anyone.

Some states require a child to consent to the name change if they are old enough (usually 12 or 14). This does not add cost, but it does require the child to appear in court or sign a consent form. If the other parent objects, the case becomes contested and may require a lawyer, which raises the total cost significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get the court to waive the filing fee if I am low-income?

Yes. Fill out a fee waiver form (called a Request for Fee Waiver or process to Proceed In Forma Pauperis) and submit it with your petition. The judge reviews your income and expenses and decides whether to waive the fee. There is no income limit—the judge looks at your whole financial situation. If approved, you pay nothing.

Do I have to hire a lawyer to change my name?

No. You can file the paperwork yourself and pay only the court fees. The process is straightforward in most states—you fill out a form, file it with the court, serve the other party if required, and attend a brief hearing. Many courts have self-help centers that walk you through the steps for free.

What if I cannot afford a lawyer and the court denies my fee waiver?

Contact your local legal aid organization—they offer free or low-cost help with name changes for people who cannot afford a lawyer. Search "[your state] legal aid" or call 211 to find the office nearest you. Some bar associations also run pro bono clinics specifically for name changes.

How much do certified copies of the final order cost?

Most courts charge $1 to $5 per certified copy. Some include a few free copies with the final order. Ask the clerk how many free copies you receive and what the per-copy fee is. Budget $10 to $50 total if you need 5 to 10 copies for updating your ID, Social Security card, and other documents.

Is the cost the same if I am changing my name after marriage versus for personal reasons?

Yes. The court filing fee and service costs are the same regardless of your reason for the change. The court does not charge different fees based on whether the change is due to marriage, divorce, personal preference, or any other reason.