How to Change Your Name in New York County

Court Information

Court

Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, Civil Term (1st Judicial District)

Filing fee

$210

Fee waiver

Available for qualifying petitioners

Where to file

county of residence (NYC residents may also use Civil Court)

Jurisdiction

Supreme Court, Civil Rights Law Art. 6 §§60-65; NYC residents may also use Civil Court

Official forms

www.nycourts.gov/help/name-change-andor-sex-designation-change/name-change-andor-sex-designation-change-forms ↗

Last verified

August 17, 2026

Filing Requirements in New York County

Newspaper publication

Required

Court hearing

conditional (order may issue without a hearing when the petition requirements are met, §63)

How to file

online (e-filing) or in person

Getting Certified Copies

in-person Certification Desk Room 141B / mail (certified only)

You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport, and your banks — order more than one.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Gather documents: certified birth certificate, photo ID, and proof of residency in New York County
2. Complete the name change petition form (available from the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, Civil Term (1st Judicial District) clerk or website)
3. If you cannot afford the filing fee ($210), complete a fee waiver form and file it alongside your petition
4. File your petition online (e-filing) or in person with the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, Civil Term (1st Judicial District)
5. Arrange the required newspaper publication — confirm the approved newspaper with the clerk before you publish
6. Attend your hearing if the court schedules one
7. If approved, get certified copies of the court order — in-person certification desk room 141b / mail (certified only)
8. Update SSA first, then DMV, then passport, then all other records