Orange County, CA
How to Change Your Name in Orange County
Court Information
- Court
- Superior Court of California, County of Orange
- Filing fee
- $435
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- county of residence
- Jurisdiction
- Civil Division, Central Justice Center (no family law cases) or Family Division, Lamoreaux Justice Center (current or prior family law cases)
- Official forms
- www.occourts.org/forms-filing/forms ↗
- Last verified
- August 17, 2026
Filing Requirements in Orange County
- Newspaper publication
- Required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- online (e-filing) or in person
Getting Certified Copies
in-person records office
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 Orange County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Superior Court of California, County of Orange clerk or website)
- If you cannot afford the filing fee ($435), complete a fee waiver form and file it alongside your petition
- File your petition online (e-filing) or in person with the Superior Court of California, County of Orange
- 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 — in-person records office
- 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 Superior Court of California, County of Orange clerk before filing.