DeKalb County, TN
How to Change Your Name in DeKalb County
File your adult name change petition with the DeKalb County Chancery Court. The filing fee is $199.50. No newspaper publication is required.
Get the full Tennessee 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
- DeKalb County Chancery Court
- Filing fee
- $199.50
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- You must be a resident of DeKalb County, Tennessee to petition for a name change in DeKalb County Chancery Court (Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-8-102).
- Court address
- 1 Public Square, Room 302, Smithville, TN 37166
- Court phone
- (615) 597-4360
- Jurisdiction
- Chancery Court
- Official forms
- www.dekalbtennessee.com/clerk-and-master.html ↗
- Verification
- Verified· Nov 10, 2026
Filing Requirements in DeKalb County
- Newspaper publication
- Not required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- in person
Getting Certified Copies
available ($5 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 DeKalb County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the DeKalb County Chancery 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 in person with the DeKalb County Chancery Court
- Attend the hearing the court schedules
- If approved, get certified copies of the court order — available ($5 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 Tennessee guide.
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the DeKalb County Chancery Court clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in DeKalb County, Tennessee?
The court filing fee is $199.50. 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 DeKalb County?
File with the DeKalb County Chancery Court. Venue rule: You must be a resident of DeKalb County, Tennessee to petition for a name change in DeKalb County Chancery Court (Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-8-102). Accepted filing methods: in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in DeKalb County?
No — this court reports no newspaper publication requirement. Confirm this with the DeKalb County Chancery Court clerk before filing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in DeKalb County?
A court hearing is required in this county — attend the date the court sets. Confirm the typical timing with the DeKalb County Chancery Court clerk.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in DeKalb County?
Available ($5 per copy). You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport and financial institutions, so request more than one.