DeKalb County, GA
How to Change Your Name in DeKalb County
Court Information
- Court
- DeKalb County Superior Court (Clerk: Debra DeBerry)
- Filing fee
- $217
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- county of residence
- Jurisdiction
- DeKalb County Superior Court; O.C.G.A. §19-12-1 through §19-12-4 and §31-10-23(d)
- Last verified
- August 17, 2026
Filing Requirements in DeKalb County
- Newspaper publication
- Required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- efile+in_person (efile mandatory since 2017-01-01; paperless since 2018-01-01)
Getting Certified Copies
Apply at the Clerk in person after the Final Order is signed
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 DeKalb County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the DeKalb County Superior Court (Clerk: Debra DeBerry) clerk or website)
- If you cannot afford the filing fee ($217), complete a fee waiver form and file it alongside your petition
- File your petition efile+in_person (efile mandatory since 2017-01-01; paperless since 2018-01-01) with the DeKalb County Superior Court (Clerk: Debra DeBerry)
- Arrange the required newspaper publication — confirm the approved newspaper with the clerk before you publish
- Attend your hearing if the court schedules one
- If approved, get certified copies of the court order — apply at the clerk in person after the final order is signed
- Update SSA first, then DMV, then passport, then all other records
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the DeKalb County Superior Court (Clerk: Debra DeBerry) clerk before filing.