Berks County, PA
How to Change Your Name in Berks County
File your adult name change petition with the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County. The filing fee is $250. Newspaper publication is required.
Get the full Pennsylvania checklist
The court step is one of many — the free state guide maps SSA, DMV, passport and the records that come after.
Court Information
- Court
- Court of Common Pleas of Berks County
- Filing fee
- $250
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- File in the Court of Common Pleas of the county where you live (state baseline).
- Court address
- Berks County Prothonotary, Berks County Courthouse, 2nd Floor, 633 Court Street, Reading, PA 19601
- Court phone
- Not recorded — confirm with the clerk
- Jurisdiction
- Court of Common Pleas
- Official forms
- www.berkspa.gov/departments/prothonotary ↗
- Verification
- Verification in progress
Filing Requirements in Berks County
- Newspaper publication
- Required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- in person
Getting Certified Copies
available ($10 per copy)
You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport, and your banks — order more than one.
Step-by-Step Process
- Gather documents: certified birth certificate, photo ID, and proof of residency in Berks County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County clerk or its website)
- If you cannot afford the filing fee, complete a fee waiver form and file it alongside your petition
- File your petition in person with the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County
- Arrange the required newspaper publication — confirm the approved newspaper with the clerk before you publish
- Attend the hearing the court schedules
- If approved, get certified copies of the court order — available ($10 per copy).
- Update SSA first, then DMV, then passport, then all other records
Check what you are missing before you file
The free readiness score checks documents, forms, fees and privacy across four dimensions — and links the gaps to the same Pennsylvania guide.
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Berks County, Pennsylvania?
The court filing fee is $250. A fee waiver is available for petitioners who qualify by income; file the waiver request together with your petition. Certified copies may cost extra; ask the clerk for the current copy fee.
Where and how do I file a name change in Berks County?
File with the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County. Venue rule: File in the Court of Common Pleas of the county where you live (state baseline). Accepted filing methods: in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Berks County?
Yes — newspaper publication is required in Berks County. Confirm the approved newspaper and notice language with the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County clerk before publishing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Berks County?
A court hearing is required in this county — attend the date the court sets. Confirm the typical timing with the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County clerk.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Berks County?
Available ($10 per copy). You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport and financial institutions, so request more than one.