City of Salem, VA
How to Change Your Name in City of Salem
File your adult name change petition with the Circuit Court of the City of Salem. The filing fee is $45. No newspaper publication is required.
Get the full Virginia 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
- Circuit Court of the City of Salem
- Filing fee
- $45
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- File the Application for Change of Name (CC-1411) in the Circuit Court of the city where you live (Va. Code §8.01-217; statewide rule per cleaned/states/va.json). This is an independent city; residents file with the city's own Circuit Court.
- Court address
- 2 East Calhoun Street, Salem, VA 24153-7933
- Court phone
- (540) 375-3067
- Jurisdiction
- Circuit Court
- Official forms
- www.salemva.gov/542/Salem-Circuit-Court ↗
- Verification
- Verified· Nov 10, 2026
Filing Requirements in City of Salem
- Newspaper publication
- Not required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- 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 City of Salem
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Circuit Court of the City of Salem 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 Circuit Court of the City of Salem
- 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 Virginia guide.
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the Circuit Court of the City of Salem clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in City of Salem, Virginia?
The court filing fee is $45. 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 City of Salem?
File with the Circuit Court of the City of Salem. Venue rule: File the Application for Change of Name (CC-1411) in the Circuit Court of the city where you live (Va. Code §8.01-217; statewide rule per cleaned/states/va.json). This is an independent city; residents file with the city's own Circuit Court. Accepted filing methods: in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in City of Salem?
No — this court reports no newspaper publication requirement. Confirm this with the Circuit Court of the City of Salem clerk before filing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in City of Salem?
A court hearing is required in this county — attend the date the court sets. Confirm the typical timing with the Circuit Court of the City of Salem clerk.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in City of Salem?
Available. You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport and financial institutions, so request more than one.