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

The cost to change your name legally depends on where you live. Some states charge as little as $100 to file the petition, while others charge $300 or more. You may also need to pay for certified copies of the court order, a newspaper publication fee (required in many states), and fingerprinting or background check fees. A few states waive fees for people with very low income, but you have to request a fee waiver when you file.

The biggest variable is whether you hire an attorney. If you file the petition yourself, you pay only court fees and related costs. If you use a lawyer, you'll add $500 to $2,000 in legal fees on top of the court costs, depending on how complicated your case is and what your attorney charges per hour.

Key Takeaways

  • Court filing fees range from about $100 to $350 depending on your state, and this is the largest single cost most people face.
  • Many states require you to publish a notice in a newspaper, which typically costs $50 to $200 and is a separate fee from the court filing.
  • Certified copies of your final court order cost $5 to $25 each, and you may need several for banks, employers, and government agencies.
  • If your income is below a certain threshold, you can request a fee waiver to reduce or eliminate court costs in most states.
  • Hiring an attorney adds $500 to $2,000 in legal fees but is optional if you can file the paperwork yourself.

Breaking down the court filing fee by state

Court filing fees are set by each state and sometimes vary between counties. In states like California, the fee is around $330. In New York, it's roughly $210. Texas charges about $300. Smaller states like Vermont and Wyoming charge closer to $100 to $150. Some states charge a flat fee; others charge based on the county you file in.

To find the exact fee for your state and county, contact your local district court or family court clerk's office directly. They can tell you the current fee, what documents you need to submit, and whether your county requires anything beyond the state minimum. Many court websites also list fees online, though they are not always current.

Newspaper publication costs

About 30 states require you to publish a notice of your name change in a local newspaper. This is a legal requirement, not optional, and the court will not finalize your order until you prove publication. The newspaper charges a fee to run the notice, usually $50 to $200 depending on the paper and how many times it must run.

Some states require the notice to appear once; others require it to run for several weeks in a row. You'll receive a published copy or affidavit from the newspaper showing the notice ran, and you file that with the court as proof. If your state does not require publication, you skip this cost entirely.

Certified copy fees and how many you need

Once the court grants your name change, you receive a final order. You will need certified copies of this order to update your name with the Social Security Administration, your driver's license, your bank, your employer, and other institutions. Each certified copy costs $5 to $25, depending on the court.

Most people order between three and ten certified copies upfront, which costs $15 to $250 total. It's cheaper to order several at once than to request them later. Ask the court clerk how many copies you should order for your situation—they can tell you which agencies typically require them in your state.

Fingerprinting and background check fees

A few states require fingerprinting or a background check as part of the name change process. If required, you'll pay a fee to have your fingerprints taken, usually $15 to $50. Some states use this to check for outstanding warrants or criminal history; others use it straightforward for identification purposes.

Not all states require this step. Check with your court clerk to see whether your state or county does. If it does, the court will tell you where to go for fingerprinting and what the fee is.

Fee waivers if you cannot afford the costs

Most states allow you to request a fee waiver if your income is below a certain level—usually around 125 to 200 percent of the federal poverty line, though this varies. You file a separate form, often called a "Petition to Waive Court Fees" or "process for Waiver of Fees," along with proof of your income (pay stubs, tax returns, or a statement of benefits).

If the court approves your waiver, you pay nothing or a reduced amount for the filing fee. The waiver does not cover newspaper publication fees or certified copy fees, only the court filing itself. Ask the court clerk whether your state offers fee waivers and what form you need to submit.

When you might need an attorney and what they cost

You can file a name change petition yourself in every state—you do not need a lawyer. However, some situations make an attorney helpful: if you have a criminal record and worry about background checks, if you're changing a child's name and the other parent objects, or if you're unsure how to fill out the forms correctly.

If you hire an attorney, expect to pay $500 to $2,000 in legal fees on top of court costs. Some attorneys charge a flat fee for a straightforward name change; others charge hourly rates of $150 to $400 per hour. A few legal aid organizations offer free or low-cost help if your income qualifies. Contact your state bar association or local legal aid office to find low-cost options in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a fee waiver for the newspaper publication cost?

No. Fee waivers cover only the court filing fee. Newspaper publication is a separate cost set by the newspaper, not the court, so the court cannot waive it. However, some states allow you to request permission to publish in a legal journal or online legal notice service instead of a newspaper, which may cost less. Ask your court clerk whether this option exists in your state.

How much does it cost to change a child's name?

The court filing fee is the same whether you're changing your own name or your child's name. However, if the other parent objects, you may need an attorney to argue the case in court, which adds legal fees. If both parents agree, the process is simpler and costs only the standard court fees.

Do I have to pay the newspaper fee upfront or after the court approves my petition?

You typically pay the newspaper after the court approves your petition but before the court finalizes the order. The court will tell you to publish the notice within a certain timeframe, you contact the newspaper and pay them, and then you file proof of publication with the court. Some newspapers may ask for payment when you submit the notice to them.

What if I need certified copies years after my name change?

You can request additional certified copies from the court at any time. The fee per copy is the same as when you first changed your name, usually $5 to $25 each. It's faster and cheaper to order several copies when you first get the court order, but you're not locked into that number.

Are there any hidden costs I should know about?

The main costs are court filing, newspaper publication (if required), certified copies, and attorney fees (if you hire one). Some courts charge a small fee to file a fee waiver request itself, usually $0 to $10. A few states charge a fee to update your name with the state vital records office, separate from the court fee, but this is uncommon. Always ask the court clerk for a complete list of fees before you file.