Ford County, KS
How to Change Your Name in Ford County
File your adult name change petition with the Ford County District Court, 16th Judicial District. The filing fee is $195. Newspaper publication is required.
Get the full Kansas 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
- Ford County District Court, 16th Judicial District
- Filing fee
- $195
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- Petition the district court of the county where you reside; 60-day Kansas residency required (K.S.A. 60-1402(a)).
- Court address
- 101 W Spruce St, PO Box 197, Dodge City, KS 67801
- Court phone
- 620-227-4609
- Jurisdiction
- District Court
- Verification
- Verification in progress
Filing Requirements in Ford County
- Newspaper publication
- Required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- by mail, in person or by drop box
Getting Certified Copies
Confirm with the clerk — not recorded in our data
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 Ford County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Ford County District Court, 16th Judicial District 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 by mail, in person or by drop box with the Ford County District Court, 16th Judicial District
- 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 — ask the clerk how to request them.
- 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 Kansas guide.
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the Ford County District Court, 16th Judicial District clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Ford County, Kansas?
The court filing fee is $195. 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 Ford County?
File with the Ford County District Court, 16th Judicial District. Venue rule: Petition the district court of the county where you reside; 60-day Kansas residency required (K.S.A. 60-1402(a)). Accepted filing methods: by mail, in person or by drop box.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Ford County?
Yes — newspaper publication is required in Ford County. Confirm the approved newspaper and notice language with the Ford County District Court, 16th Judicial District clerk before publishing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Ford County?
A court hearing is required in this county — attend the date the court sets. Confirm the typical timing with the Ford County District Court, 16th Judicial District clerk.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Ford County?
Our directory does not record the certified-copy procedure for the Ford County District Court, 16th Judicial District. Ask the Ford County District Court, 16th Judicial District clerk how many copies are included and how to request extras.