Georgia name changes go through the Superior Court in your county, and you file a petition, attend a hearing, and receive a court order—the whole process usually takes four to eight weeks
You cannot change your name by deed or straightforward by using a new name. Georgia law requires you to petition the Superior Court in the county where you live. The court reviews your petition, you attend a brief hearing (sometimes by phone), a judge approves or denies the change, and if approved, you receive a court order. That order is your legal proof of the name change and what you use to update your driver's license, Social Security record, and other documents.
The process is straightforward for most people, but the exact steps and fees depend on which county you live in and whether you have any criminal history. This guide walks you through what to file, where to file it, and what to expect at the hearing.
Key Takeaways
- You file a petition for name change in the Superior Court of the county where you live, not in a state office.
- Georgia requires you to publish notice of your petition in a newspaper in your county, which costs money and takes time.
- You must attend a hearing before a judge, though many counties allow you to appear by phone.
- Once the judge signs the order, you use it to change your name with the Georgia Department of Driver Services, Social Security Administration, and other agencies.
- The entire process from filing to receiving the final order typically takes four to eight weeks, depending on court schedules and newspaper publication timelines.
Where to file: your county Superior Court
Find the Superior Court clerk's office in the county where you currently live. You can locate it by searching "[your county name] Georgia Superior Court" online or calling the county courthouse. The clerk's office handles all name change petitions and can tell you the exact filing fee for your county, which ranges from roughly $200 to $400.
Some counties allow you to file by mail or in person; others require in-person filing. Call ahead to ask whether your county accepts mail filings and what documents they need. If you have a criminal record, ask the clerk whether you need to notify the district attorney's office—Georgia law requires notice in some cases, and the clerk will know your county's practice.
The petition form and what to include
Georgia does not provide a single statewide petition form, so the format varies slightly by county. When you contact the clerk's office, ask them to send you the petition template or tell you where to find it on the county website. The petition must include your current legal name, the name you want, your date of birth, your current address, and your reason for the change (you can straightforward write "personal preference" if that is your reason).
You will also need to state whether you have any criminal convictions. If you do, you must disclose them. The court uses this information to decide whether the name change would help you evade criminal responsibility or defraud someone—if the judge believes it would, they can deny the petition. For most people with a distant or minor record, the court approves the change anyway, but you must be honest on the form.
Type or print the petition clearly, sign it in front of a notary public, and file it with the clerk along with the filing fee. The clerk will give you a case number and a hearing date.
Publishing notice in a newspaper
Georgia law requires you to publish a notice of your petition in a newspaper in your county once a week for four consecutive weeks. This is not optional, and it is one of the longest parts of the process. The newspaper must be a general-circulation paper (not a specialty or online-only publication), and the clerk's office can tell you which papers in your county meet the requirement.
Contact the newspaper's legal notices department directly and ask for the cost to publish a name change notice for four weeks. Costs vary but typically run $150 to $400 total. The newspaper will draft the notice based on your petition information, you approve it, and they publish it weekly. You will receive an affidavit of publication (proof that the notice ran) when the four weeks are complete. Bring this affidavit to your hearing.
The four-week publication period must be finished before your hearing date. If the clerk schedules your hearing before four weeks have passed, ask them to reschedule it. Do not attend the hearing without the affidavit of publication—the judge will not sign the order without it.
Preparing for and attending the hearing
Your hearing is usually brief. You will stand before a judge (or appear by phone if your county allows it), confirm that the information in your petition is correct, and explain why you want to change your name. "Personal preference" is a valid reason and requires no further explanation. The judge will ask whether you are trying to evade criminal responsibility or defraud anyone—answer honestly and directly.
Bring the affidavit of publication, your petition, a photo ID, and any other documents the clerk asked for. If you have a criminal record and the district attorney's office was notified, they may send a representative to the hearing, but this is rare for routine name changes. If they object, the judge will hear both sides and decide.
Most judges approve routine name changes on the spot. The judge will sign an order granting the change, and the clerk will give you certified copies. Request at least two or three certified copies—you will need them to update your driver's license, Social Security record, and bank accounts.
What happens after the judge signs the order
Once you have the signed court order, you use it to change your name with other agencies. Start with the Georgia Department of Driver Services to update your driver's license or ID card. Bring the court order, your current license, and proof of your current address. The DDS will issue a new license with your new name.
Next, contact the Social Security Administration to update your record. You can do this in person at your local Social Security office or by mail. Bring or mail a certified copy of the court order, your current Social Security card, and a photo ID. Social Security will issue a new card with your new name.
Update your bank accounts, insurance policies, employer records, and any other documents by providing the court order as proof. Most institutions will accept a certified copy. Keep one certified copy in a safe place as a backup.
Timeline and costs at a glance
| Step | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| File petition with Superior Court | 1 day | $200–$400 (filing fee) |
| Publish notice in newspaper (4 weeks) | 4 weeks | $150–$400 (newspaper) |
| Attend hearing and receive order | 1 day (scheduled 4+ weeks after filing) | None |
| Update driver's license, Social Security, and other records | 1–2 weeks | $20–$35 (DDS license fee, if applicable) |
Total time from filing to receiving the final order is usually four to eight weeks. The newspaper publication period is the longest single component. If your county court is backlogged, the hearing may be scheduled further out. Call the clerk's office to ask about current wait times in your county.
Special situations: name changes for minors and after divorce
If you are changing a minor's name, a parent or legal guardian must file the petition on the child's behalf. The process is the same, but you must also provide proof of custody or guardianship. If you are changing your name as part of a divorce, you may be able to include the name change in the divorce decree itself, which can skip the separate court petition. Ask your divorce attorney or the family court clerk whether this option is available in your case.
If you are changing your name for safety reasons (such as escaping domestic violence), you may be able to request that the court seal the petition and hearing records so your new name is not publicly available. Contact the clerk's office or a legal aid organization to learn whether your situation qualifies and how to request sealing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name if I have a criminal record?
Yes, in most cases. Georgia law allows the court to deny a name change only if it would help you evade criminal responsibility or defraud someone. A distant or minor conviction usually does not prevent approval. You must disclose any convictions on your petition, and the district attorney's office may be notified. If they object, the judge will hear the objection and decide.
Do I have to appear in person at the hearing?
Many Georgia counties allow you to appear by phone or video conference. Call the clerk's office to ask whether your county permits remote appearances. If not, you must attend in person at the courthouse on your scheduled hearing date.
What if I miss the hearing date?
Contact the clerk's office when ready and ask to reschedule. Missing the hearing without notice may result in dismissal of your petition. You will have to file again and pay the filing fee a second time.
How many certified copies of the court order do I need?
Request at least two or three certified copies when you receive the order. You will need one for the Department of Driver Services, one for Social Security, and one to keep as a backup. Some institutions may also request their own copy.
Can I use a new name before the court order is final?
Legally, no. Your name does not change until the judge signs the order. Using a new name before that on official documents or contracts could cause problems. Wait for the signed order before updating your records.