Lancaster County, VA
How to Change Your Name in Lancaster County
File your adult name change petition with the Lancaster County Circuit Court. The filing fee is $43. No newspaper publication is required.
Get the full Virginia 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
- Lancaster County Circuit Court
- Filing fee
- $43
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- File the Application for Change of Name (CC-1411) in the Circuit Court of the county where you live (Va. Code §8.01-217; statewide rule per cleaned/states/va.json).
- Court address
- P.O. Box 99, Lancaster, VA 22503 (mailing); 8265 Mary Ball Road, Lancaster, VA 22503 (physical — mail is not deliverable to the physical address)
- Court phone
- (804) 462-5611
- Jurisdiction
- Circuit Court
- Official forms
- vacourts.gov/courts/circuit/lancaster/home ↗
- Verification
- Verification in progress
Filing Requirements in Lancaster County
- Newspaper publication
- Not required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- 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 Lancaster County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Lancaster County Circuit Court 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 in person with the Lancaster County Circuit Court
- 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 Virginia guide.
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the Lancaster County Circuit Court clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Lancaster County, Virginia?
The court filing fee is $43. 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 Lancaster County?
File with the Lancaster County Circuit Court. Venue rule: File the Application for Change of Name (CC-1411) in the Circuit Court of the county where you live (Va. Code §8.01-217; statewide rule per cleaned/states/va.json). Accepted filing methods: in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Lancaster County?
No — this court reports no newspaper publication requirement. Confirm this with the Lancaster County Circuit Court clerk before filing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Lancaster County?
A court hearing is required in this county — attend the date the court sets. Confirm the typical timing with the Lancaster County Circuit Court clerk.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Lancaster County?
Our directory does not record the certified-copy procedure for the Lancaster County Circuit Court. Ask the Lancaster County Circuit Court clerk how many copies are included and how to request extras.