Gaston County, NC
How to Change Your Name in Gaston County
File your adult name change petition with the Clerk of Superior Court, Gaston County. The filing fee is $120. No newspaper publication is required.
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The court step is one of many — the free state guide maps SSA, DMV, passport and the records that come after.
Court Information
- Court
- Clerk of Superior Court, Gaston County (Special Proceedings)
- Filing fee
- $120
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- An adult applies to the Clerk of Superior Court of the county where the person resides (G.S. 101-2(a), ncleg.gov); the clerk issues the name-change order on the special-proceedings docket (G.S. 101-5). Gaston County residents file with the Gaston County Clerk of Superior Court in Gastonia.
- Court address
- Gaston County Courthouse, 325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Suite 1004, Gastonia, NC 28052
- Court phone
- (704) 852-3100
- Jurisdiction
- Clerk of Superior Court (Special Proceedings)
- Official forms
- www.nccourts.gov/documents/forms?contains=name%20change&field_form_type_target_id=2424&field_language_target_id=All ↗
- Verification
- Verification in progress
Filing Requirements in Gaston County
- Newspaper publication
- Not required
- Court hearing
- Not required for uncontested adult petitions
- How to file
- online (e-filing), by mail or in person
Getting Certified Copies
available ($3 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 Gaston County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Clerk of Superior Court, Gaston County 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 Clerk of Superior Court, Gaston County
- No hearing is normally required for an uncontested adult petition in this county
- If approved, get certified copies of the court order — available ($3 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 North Carolina guide.
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the Clerk of Superior Court, Gaston County before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Gaston County, North Carolina?
The court filing fee is $120. 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 Gaston County?
File with the Clerk of Superior Court, Gaston County. Venue rule: An adult applies to the Clerk of Superior Court of the county where the person resides (G.S. 101-2(a), ncleg.gov); the clerk issues the name-change order on the special-proceedings docket (G.S. 101-5). Gaston County residents file with the Gaston County Clerk of Superior Court in Gastonia. Accepted filing methods: online (e-filing), by mail or in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Gaston County?
No — this court reports no newspaper publication requirement. Confirm this with the Clerk of Superior Court, Gaston County before filing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Gaston County?
No hearing is normally required for an uncontested adult petition, though the court can still schedule one if it has questions.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Gaston County?
Available ($3 per copy). You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport and financial institutions, so request more than one.