Buffalo County, WI
How to Change Your Name in Buffalo County
File your adult name change petition with the Buffalo County Circuit Court. The filing fee is $235. Newspaper publication is required.
Get the full Wisconsin 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
- Buffalo County Circuit Court
- Filing fee
- $235
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- Confirm with the clerk
- Court address
- Buffalo County Clerk of Courts, 407 S. 2nd Street, 2nd Floor, Alma, WI 54610 (P.O. Box 68, Alma, WI 54610)
- Court phone
- (608) 685-6212
- Jurisdiction
- Circuit Court
- Official forms
- www.buffalocountywi.gov/departments/clerk-of-courts/ ↗
- Verification
- Verified· Nov 10, 2026
Filing Requirements in Buffalo County
- Newspaper publication
- Required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- online (e-filing) or in person
Getting Certified Copies
available
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 Buffalo County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Buffalo County Circuit Court 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 online (e-filing) or in person with the Buffalo County Circuit Court
- 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.
- 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 Wisconsin guide.
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the Buffalo County Circuit Court clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Buffalo County, Wisconsin?
The court filing fee is $235. 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 Buffalo County?
File with the Buffalo County Circuit Court. Accepted filing methods: online (e-filing) or in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Buffalo County?
Yes — newspaper publication is required in Buffalo County. Confirm the approved newspaper and notice language with the Buffalo County Circuit Court clerk before publishing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Buffalo County?
A court hearing is required in this county — attend the date the court sets. Confirm the typical timing with the Buffalo County Circuit Court clerk.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Buffalo County?
Available. You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport and financial institutions, so request more than one.