Lewis and Clark County, MT
How to Change Your Name in Lewis and Clark County
File your adult name change petition with the Montana First Judicial District Court, Lewis and Clark County. The filing fee is $120. Newspaper publication is required.
Get the full Montana 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
- Montana First Judicial District Court, Lewis and Clark County
- Filing fee
- $120
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- File the name-change petition in the District Court of the county where you reside (Mont. Code Ann. § 27-31-101; official adult packet: 'in the jurisdiction where you reside'). 1st Judicial District (Lewis and Clark + Broadwater Counties; confirmed by 1st JD Court Rules, courts.mt.gov).
- Court address
- 228 Broadway, Room 104, Helena, MT 59601
- Court phone
- 406-447-8216
- Jurisdiction
- District Court
- Official forms
- courts.mt.gov/forms/namechange ↗
- Verification
- Verified· Nov 10, 2026
Filing Requirements in Lewis and Clark County
- Newspaper publication
- Required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- in person
Getting Certified Copies
available
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 Lewis and Clark County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Montana First Judicial District Court, Lewis and Clark 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 in person with the Montana First Judicial District Court, Lewis and Clark County
- Arrange the required newspaper publication — confirm the approved newspaper with the clerk before you publish
- Attend the hearing the court schedules
- If approved, get certified copies of the court order — available.
- 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 Montana guide.
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the Montana First Judicial District Court, Lewis and Clark County clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Lewis and Clark County, Montana?
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 Lewis and Clark County?
File with the Montana First Judicial District Court, Lewis and Clark County. Venue rule: File the name-change petition in the District Court of the county where you reside (Mont. Code Ann. § 27-31-101; official adult packet: 'in the jurisdiction where you reside'). 1st Judicial District (Lewis and Clark + Broadwater Counties; confirmed by 1st JD Court Rules, courts.mt.gov). Accepted filing methods: in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Lewis and Clark County?
Yes — newspaper publication is required in Lewis and Clark County. Confirm the approved newspaper and notice language with the Montana First Judicial District Court, Lewis and Clark County clerk before publishing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Lewis and Clark County?
A court hearing is required in this county — attend the date the court sets. Confirm the typical timing with the Montana First Judicial District Court, Lewis and Clark County clerk.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Lewis and Clark County?
Available. You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport and financial institutions, so request more than one.