Lincoln County, WI
How to Change Your Name in Lincoln County
File your adult name change petition with the Lincoln County Circuit Court. The filing fee is $235. Newspaper publication is required.
Get the full Wisconsin 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
- Lincoln County Circuit Court
- Filing fee
- $235
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- Confirm with the clerk
- Court address
- Lincoln County Clerk of Courts, 1110 E. Main Street, Suite 205, Merrill, WI 54452
- Court phone
- 715-536-0319
- Jurisdiction
- Circuit Court
- Verification
- Verified· Nov 10, 2026
Filing Requirements in Lincoln County
- Newspaper publication
- Required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- online (e-filing) or 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 Lincoln County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Lincoln 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 online (e-filing) or in person with the Lincoln County Circuit Court
- 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 Wisconsin guide.
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the Lincoln County Circuit Court clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Lincoln County, Wisconsin?
The court filing fee is $235. 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 Lincoln County?
File with the Lincoln County Circuit Court. Accepted filing methods: online (e-filing) or in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Lincoln County?
Yes — newspaper publication is required in Lincoln County. Confirm the approved newspaper and notice language with the Lincoln County Circuit Court clerk before publishing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Lincoln County?
A court hearing is required in this county — attend the date the court sets. Confirm the typical timing with the Lincoln County Circuit Court clerk.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Lincoln County?
Available. You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport and financial institutions, so request more than one.