Orleans Parish, LA
How to Change Your Name in Orleans Parish
File your adult name change petition with the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans. The filing fee is $250. No newspaper publication is required.
Get the full Louisiana 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
- Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans
- Filing fee
- $250
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- Petition filed in the district court of the parish of residence, the parish of birth, or Orleans Parish (venue for the Vital Records Registry) — La. R.S. 13:4751.
- Court address
- 421 Loyola Avenue, Room 402, New Orleans, LA 70112
- Court phone
- (504) 407-0000
- Jurisdiction
- District Court
- Official forms
- orleanscivilclerk.com ↗
- Verification
- Verified· Nov 10, 2026
Filing Requirements in Orleans Parish
- Newspaper publication
- Not required
- Court hearing
- Not required for uncontested adult petitions
- How to file
- 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 Orleans Parish
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans 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 in person with the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans
- No hearing is normally required for an uncontested adult petition in this county
- 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 Louisiana guide.
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Orleans Parish, Louisiana?
The court filing fee is $250. 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 Orleans Parish?
File with the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans. Venue rule: Petition filed in the district court of the parish of residence, the parish of birth, or Orleans Parish (venue for the Vital Records Registry) — La. R.S. 13:4751. Accepted filing methods: in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Orleans Parish?
No — this court reports no newspaper publication requirement. Confirm this with the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans clerk before filing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Orleans Parish?
No hearing is normally required for an uncontested adult petition, though the court can still schedule one if it has questions.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Orleans Parish?
Available. You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport and financial institutions, so request more than one.