McHenry County, IL
How to Change Your Name in McHenry County
File your adult name change petition with the Circuit Court of McHenry County. The filing fee is $319. No newspaper publication is required.
Get the full Illinois 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
- Circuit Court of McHenry County (Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit)
- Filing fee
- $319
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- File in the Circuit Court of the county where you reside (735 ILCS 5/21-101). McHenry County is in the Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit.
- Court address
- Circuit Clerk, 2200 N Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, IL 60098 (Civil Division, Rooms 136 & 353)
- Court phone
- 815-334-4310
- Jurisdiction
- Circuit Court
- Official forms
- www.mchenrycircuitclerk.org/ ↗
- Verification
- Verification in progress
Filing Requirements in McHenry County
- Newspaper publication
- Not required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- online (e-filing) or in person
Getting Certified Copies
available ($6 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 McHenry County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Circuit Court of McHenry 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 Circuit Court of McHenry County
- Attend the hearing the court schedules
- If approved, get certified copies of the court order — available ($6 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 Illinois guide.
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the Circuit Court of McHenry County clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in McHenry County, Illinois?
The court filing fee is $319. 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 McHenry County?
File with the Circuit Court of McHenry County. Venue rule: File in the Circuit Court of the county where you reside (735 ILCS 5/21-101). McHenry County is in the Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit. Accepted filing methods: online (e-filing) or in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in McHenry County?
No — this court reports no newspaper publication requirement. Confirm this with the Circuit Court of McHenry County clerk before filing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in McHenry County?
A court hearing is required in this county — attend the date the court sets. Confirm the typical timing with the Circuit Court of McHenry County clerk.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in McHenry County?
Available ($6 per copy). You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport and financial institutions, so request more than one.