Milwaukee County, WI
How to Change Your Name in Milwaukee County
Court Information
- Court
- Milwaukee County Circuit Court (First Judicial District) — Clerk of Circuit Court Civil Division
- Filing fee
- $168
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- county of residence
- Jurisdiction
- Circuit Court, Wis. Stat. §786.36-.37
- Official forms
- www.wicourts.gov/forms1/circuit.htm ↗
- Last verified
- August 17, 2026
Filing Requirements in Milwaukee County
- Newspaper publication
- Required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- online (e-filing) or in person
Getting Certified Copies
Purchase in person (Room 104 cashiers)
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 Milwaukee County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Milwaukee County Circuit Court (First Judicial District) — Clerk of Circuit Court Civil Division clerk or website)
- If you cannot afford the filing fee ($168), complete a fee waiver form and file it alongside your petition
- File your petition online (e-filing) or in person with the Milwaukee County Circuit Court (First Judicial District) — Clerk of Circuit Court Civil Division
- Arrange the required newspaper publication — confirm the approved newspaper with the clerk before you publish
- Attend your hearing if the court schedules one
- If approved, get certified copies of the court order — purchase in person (room 104 cashiers)
- 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 Milwaukee County Circuit Court (First Judicial District) — Clerk of Circuit Court Civil Division clerk before filing.