Washington County, RI
How to Change Your Name in Washington County
File your adult name change petition with the South Kingstown Probate Court. Our directory does not record the filing fee — confirm it with the clerk. No newspaper publication is required.
Get the full Rhode Island 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
- South Kingstown Probate Court (Town of South Kingstown)
- Filing fee
- Not recorded — confirm with the clerk
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- File the statewide form PC-8.1 with the probate court of the city or town where you live (R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-22-28(b)). Washington County residents file in their own town's probate court — Exeter ($39 verified), Hopkinton ($34 verified), and 7 towns with fees nhc; the Town of South Kingstown Probate Court (Wakefield) is recorded here as the county's representative court. Full municipal enumeration in municipal_probate_courts.
- Court address
- 180 High Street (Town Hall, 2nd floor Town Council Chambers), Wakefield, RI 02879.
- Court phone
- 401-789-9331 x1235
- Jurisdiction
- Probate Court (city/town)
- Official forms
- www.riprobatejudges.com/south-kingstown-probate/ ↗
- Verification
- Verification in progress
Filing Requirements in Washington 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 Washington County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the South Kingstown 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 in person with the South Kingstown Probate 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 Rhode Island guide.
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the South Kingstown Probate Court clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Washington County, Rhode Island?
Our directory does not record a filing fee for the South Kingstown Probate Court. Confirm the current amount with the South Kingstown Probate 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 Washington County?
File with the South Kingstown Probate Court. Venue rule: File the statewide form PC-8.1 with the probate court of the city or town where you live (R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-22-28(b)). Washington County residents file in their own town's probate court — Exeter ($39 verified), Hopkinton ($34 verified), and 7 towns with fees nhc; the Town of South Kingstown Probate Court (Wakefield) is recorded here as the county's representative court. Full municipal enumeration in municipal_probate_courts. Accepted filing methods: in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Washington County?
No — this court reports no newspaper publication requirement. Confirm this with the South Kingstown Probate Court clerk before filing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Washington County?
A court hearing is required in this county — attend the date the court sets. Confirm the typical timing with the South Kingstown Probate Court clerk.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Washington County?
Our directory does not record the certified-copy procedure for the South Kingstown Probate Court. Ask the South Kingstown Probate Court clerk how many copies are included and how to request extras.