Shelby County, TN
How to Change Your Name in Shelby County
File your adult name change petition with the Shelby County Probate Court. The filing fee is $166.50. 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
- Shelby County Probate Court
- Filing fee
- $166.50
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- county of residence
- Court address
- 140 Adams Avenue, Room 124, Memphis, TN 38103 (Probate Court Clerk's office)
- Court phone
- (901) 222-3750
- Jurisdiction
- Probate Court, T.C.A. §29-8-101 (Shelby processes through Probate Court)
- Official forms
- www.shelbycountytn.gov/380/Probate-Forms ↗
- Verification
- Verified· Nov 10, 2026
Filing Requirements in Shelby County
- Newspaper publication
- Not required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- online (e-filing) or in person
Getting Certified Copies
available ($5 per copy)
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 Shelby County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Shelby County Probate 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 online (e-filing) or in person with the Shelby County Probate Court
- Attend the hearing the court schedules
- If approved, get certified copies of the court order — available ($5 per copy).
- 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 Shelby County Probate Court clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Shelby County, Tennessee?
The court filing fee is $166.50. 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 Shelby County?
File with the Shelby County Probate Court. Venue rule: County of residence. Accepted filing methods: online (e-filing) or in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Shelby County?
No — this court reports no newspaper publication requirement. Confirm this with the Shelby County Probate Court clerk before filing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Shelby County?
A court hearing is required in this county — attend the date the court sets. Confirm the typical timing with the Shelby County Probate Court clerk.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Shelby County?
Available ($5 per copy). You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport and financial institutions, so request more than one.