Kent County, DE
How to Change Your Name in Kent County
File your adult name change petition with the Court of Common Pleas for the State of Delaware, Kent County. The filing fee is $85. No newspaper publication is required.
Get the full Delaware 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
- Court of Common Pleas for the State of Delaware, Kent County
- Filing fee
- $85
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- Petition for Change of Name must be filed in the Court of Common Pleas in the county in which you reside (statewide packet, General Instructions). Petition requires 6-month county residency (official statewide packet, Petition for Name Change ¶1, courts.delaware.gov/forms/download.aspx?id=16858).
- Court address
- Kent County Courthouse, 414 Federal Street, Dover, DE 19901
- Court phone
- 302-735-3900
- Jurisdiction
- Court of Common Pleas
- Official forms
- courts.delaware.gov/forms/download.aspx?id=16858 ↗
- Verification
- Verified· Nov 10, 2026
Filing Requirements in Kent County
- Newspaper publication
- Not required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- online (e-filing) or in person
Getting Certified Copies
available ($10 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 Kent County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Court of Common Pleas for the State of Delaware, Kent County 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) or in person with the Court of Common Pleas for the State of Delaware, Kent County
- Attend the hearing the court schedules
- If approved, get certified copies of the court order — available ($10 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 Delaware guide.
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the Court of Common Pleas for the State of Delaware, Kent County clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Kent County, Delaware?
The court filing fee is $85. 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 Kent County?
File with the Court of Common Pleas for the State of Delaware, Kent County. Venue rule: Petition for Change of Name must be filed in the Court of Common Pleas in the county in which you reside (statewide packet, General Instructions). Petition requires 6-month county residency (official statewide packet, Petition for Name Change ¶1, courts.delaware.gov/forms/download.aspx?id=16858). Accepted filing methods: online (e-filing) or in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Kent County?
No — this court reports no newspaper publication requirement. Confirm this with the Court of Common Pleas for the State of Delaware, Kent County clerk before filing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Kent County?
A court hearing is required in this county — attend the date the court sets. Confirm the typical timing with the Court of Common Pleas for the State of Delaware, Kent County clerk.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Kent County?
Available ($10 per copy). You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport and financial institutions, so request more than one.