Polk County, TN
How to Change Your Name in Polk County
File your adult name change petition with the Polk County Chancery Court. Our directory does not record the filing fee — confirm it with the clerk. No newspaper publication is required.
Get the full Tennessee 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
- Polk County Chancery Court
- Filing fee
- Not recorded — confirm with the clerk
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- File a name-change petition in Polk County Chancery Court (Clerk & Master) in the county where you reside (Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-8-102).
- Court address
- 161 Industrial Access Circle, Room 110, Benton, TN 37307
- Court phone
- 423-338-4522
- Jurisdiction
- Chancery Court
- Official forms
- polkcountytn.gov/legal-courts/chancery-court/ ↗
- Verification
- Verification in progress
Filing Requirements in Polk County
- Newspaper publication
- Not required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- in person
Getting Certified Copies
Confirm with the clerk — not recorded in our data
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 Polk County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Polk County Chancery Court 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 Polk County Chancery Court
- Attend the hearing the court schedules
- If approved, get certified copies of the court order — ask the clerk how to request them.
- 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 Tennessee guide.
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the Polk County Chancery Court clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Polk County, Tennessee?
Our directory does not record a filing fee for the Polk County Chancery Court. Confirm the current amount with the Polk County Chancery Court clerk before filing. A fee waiver is available for petitioners who qualify by income; file the waiver request together with your petition.
Where and how do I file a name change in Polk County?
File with the Polk County Chancery Court. Venue rule: File a name-change petition in Polk County Chancery Court (Clerk & Master) in the county where you reside (Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-8-102). Accepted filing methods: in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Polk County?
No — this court reports no newspaper publication requirement. Confirm this with the Polk County Chancery Court clerk before filing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Polk County?
A court hearing is required in this county — attend the date the court sets. Confirm the typical timing with the Polk County Chancery Court clerk.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Polk County?
Our directory does not record the certified-copy procedure for the Polk County Chancery Court. Ask the Polk County Chancery Court clerk how many copies are included and how to request extras.