Philadelphia County, PA
How to Change Your Name in Philadelphia County
Court Information
- Court
- Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, First Judicial District, Trial Division - Civil
- Filing fee
- $349.23
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- county of residence
- Jurisdiction
- Court of Common Pleas, 54 Pa.C.S.A. §701 et seq. (Change of Name Act)
- Official forms
- www.courts.phila.gov/forms ↗
- Last verified
- August 17, 2026
Filing Requirements in Philadelphia County
- Newspaper publication
- Required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- online (e-filing) or in person
Getting Certified Copies
decree + 5 certified copies mailed free; additional copies from the Civil Filing Center
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 Philadelphia County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, First Judicial District, Trial Division - Civil clerk or website)
- If you cannot afford the filing fee ($349.23), complete a fee waiver form and file it alongside your petition
- File your petition online (e-filing) or in person with the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, First Judicial District, Trial Division - Civil
- 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 — decree + 5 certified copies mailed free; additional copies from the civil filing center
- 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 Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, First Judicial District, Trial Division - Civil clerk before filing.