Clearwater County, MN
How to Change Your Name in Clearwater County
File your adult name change petition with the Clearwater County District Court. The filing fee is $320. No newspaper publication is required.
Get the full Minnesota 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
- Clearwater County District Court (Ninth Judicial District)
- Filing fee
- $320
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- File in the district court of the county where you reside; you must have resided in Minnesota for at least six months immediately before filing (Minn. Stat. § 259.10).
- Court address
- 213 Main Avenue #303, Bagley, MN 56621
- Court phone
- (218) 935-4020
- Jurisdiction
- District Court
- Official forms
- mncourts.gov/getforms/name-change ↗
- Verification
- Verification in progress
Filing Requirements in Clearwater County
- Newspaper publication
- Not required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- online (e-filing), by mail or in person
Getting Certified Copies
available ($14 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 Clearwater County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Clearwater County District 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), by mail or in person with the Clearwater County District Court
- Attend the hearing the court schedules
- If approved, get certified copies of the court order — available ($14 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 Minnesota guide.
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the Clearwater County District Court clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Clearwater County, Minnesota?
The court filing fee is $320. 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 Clearwater County?
File with the Clearwater County District Court. Venue rule: File in the district court of the county where you reside; you must have resided in Minnesota for at least six months immediately before filing (Minn. Stat. § 259.10). Accepted filing methods: online (e-filing), by mail or in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Clearwater County?
No — this court reports no newspaper publication requirement. Confirm this with the Clearwater County District Court clerk before filing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Clearwater County?
A court hearing is required in this county — attend the date the court sets. Confirm the typical timing with the Clearwater County District Court clerk.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Clearwater County?
Available ($14 per copy). You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport and financial institutions, so request more than one.