Winnebago County, IL
How to Change Your Name in Winnebago County
File your adult name change petition with the Circuit Court of Winnebago County. Our directory does not record the filing fee — confirm it with the clerk. No newspaper publication is required.
Get the full Illinois 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
- Circuit Court of Winnebago County (Seventeenth Judicial Circuit)
- Filing fee
- Not recorded — confirm with the clerk
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- File in the Circuit Court of the county where you reside (735 ILCS 5/21-101). Winnebago County is in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit (with Boone County).
- Court address
- 400 West State Street, Room 100, Rockford, IL 61101-1221
- Court phone
- 815-319-4500
- Jurisdiction
- Circuit Court
- Official forms
- 17thcircuit.illinoiscourts.gov ↗
- Verification
- Verification in progress
Filing Requirements in Winnebago County
- Newspaper publication
- Not required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- online (e-filing) or in person
Getting Certified Copies
available (no fee with the order; extra copies priced by the clerk)
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 Winnebago County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Circuit Court of Winnebago County 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 Circuit Court of Winnebago County
- Attend the hearing the court schedules
- If approved, get certified copies of the court order — available (no fee with the order; extra copies priced by the clerk).
- 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 Illinois guide.
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the Circuit Court of Winnebago County clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Winnebago County, Illinois?
Our directory does not record a filing fee for the Circuit Court of Winnebago County. Confirm the current amount with the Circuit Court of Winnebago County 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 Winnebago County?
File with the Circuit Court of Winnebago County. Venue rule: File in the Circuit Court of the county where you reside (735 ILCS 5/21-101). Winnebago County is in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit (with Boone County). Accepted filing methods: online (e-filing) or in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Winnebago County?
No — this court reports no newspaper publication requirement. Confirm this with the Circuit Court of Winnebago County clerk before filing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Winnebago County?
A court hearing is required in this county — attend the date the court sets. Confirm the typical timing with the Circuit Court of Winnebago County clerk.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Winnebago County?
Available (no fee with the order; extra copies priced by the clerk). You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport and financial institutions, so request more than one.