Hempstead County, AR
How to Change Your Name in Hempstead County
File your adult name change petition with the Circuit Court of Hempstead County, Arkansas. The filing fee is $165. No newspaper publication is required.
Get the full Arkansas 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
- Circuit Court of Hempstead County, Arkansas (Eighth North Judicial Circuit)
- Filing fee
- $165
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- File with the Circuit Clerk of Hempstead County (Eighth North Judicial Circuit), Hope.
- Court address
- 200 E 3rd Street, Hope, AR 71801 (Arkansas Judiciary directory); mailing: PO Box 1420, Hope, AR 71802 (county site)
- Court phone
- 870-777-2384
- Jurisdiction
- Circuit Court
- Official forms
- hempsteadcountyar.com/circuit-clerk/ ↗
- Verification
- Verified· Nov 10, 2026
Filing Requirements in Hempstead 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
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 Hempstead County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Circuit Court of Hempstead County, Arkansas 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 Circuit Court of Hempstead County, Arkansas
- No hearing is normally required for an uncontested adult petition in this county
- 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 Arkansas guide.
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the Circuit Court of Hempstead County, Arkansas clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Hempstead County, Arkansas?
The court filing fee is $165. 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 Hempstead County?
File with the Circuit Court of Hempstead County, Arkansas. Venue rule: File with the Circuit Clerk of Hempstead County (Eighth North Judicial Circuit), Hope. Accepted filing methods: online (e-filing), by mail or in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Hempstead County?
No — this court reports no newspaper publication requirement. Confirm this with the Circuit Court of Hempstead County, Arkansas clerk before filing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Hempstead 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 Hempstead County?
Our directory does not record the certified-copy procedure for the Circuit Court of Hempstead County, Arkansas. Ask the Circuit Court of Hempstead County, Arkansas clerk how many copies are included and how to request extras.