Lake County, IL
How to Change Your Name in Lake County
Court Information
- Court
- Circuit Court of Lake County - Circuit Clerk's Office (19th Judicial Circuit)
- Filing fee
- $334
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- county of residence (3 months of residence by the hearing or when the order is entered)
- Jurisdiction
- Lake County Circuit Court; 735 ILCS 5/21-101 et seq.
- Official forms
- www.illinoiscourts.gov/documents-and-forms/approved-forms/circuit-court-standardized-forms-suites/name-change/ ↗
- Last verified
- August 17, 2026
Filing Requirements in Lake County
- Newspaper publication
- Not required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- online (e-filing), by mail or in person
Getting Certified Copies
Circuit Clerk's Office in person; eCertify electronic certified copies (DocAccess)
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 Lake County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Circuit Court of Lake County - Circuit Clerk's Office (19th Judicial Circuit) clerk or website)
- If you cannot afford the filing fee ($334), 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 Lake County - Circuit Clerk's Office (19th Judicial Circuit)
- Attend your hearing if the court schedules one
- If approved, get certified copies of the court order — circuit clerk's office in person; ecertify electronic certified copies (docaccess)
- Update SSA first, then DMV, then passport, then all other records
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the Circuit Court of Lake County - Circuit Clerk's Office (19th Judicial Circuit) clerk before filing.