Name Change Cost Calculator — Estimate Court Fees by State (2026)
A legal name change typically costs $150 to $470 in court filing fees, plus optional costs for certified copies, publication, and document updates. Select your state below for a breakdown based on official court sources, and check whether a fee waiver is available in your state.
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Select a state to see a breakdown of court fees, publication requirements, and estimated total cost.
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Name change cost by state
| State | Filing fee | Fee waiver | Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $37 | Yes | Required |
| Alaska | $200 | Yes | Required |
| Arizona | $252 statewide base (counties may add fees) | Yes | Required |
| Arkansas | $165 | Yes | Required |
| California | $435-$450 (varies by county) | Yes | Required |
| Colorado | $98 county court / $268 district court | Yes | Required |
| Connecticut | No filing fee | Yes | Required |
| Delaware | $85 | No | No |
| District of Columbia | Varies by county — confirm with the clerk | Yes | Required |
| Florida | $401–412 (varies by county) | Yes | No |
| Georgia | $204-$218 (varies by county) | Yes | Required |
| Hawaii | $50 | No | Required |
| Idaho | $166 | No | Required |
| Illinois | Varies by county; typically $314-$638 | Yes | No |
| Indiana | $157 | No | No |
| Iowa | $195 | Yes | Required |
| Kansas | Varies by county — confirm with the clerk | Yes | Required |
| Kentucky | $40–128 (varies by county) | No | No |
| Louisiana | $300-$500 (varies by parish) | Yes | Required |
| Maine | $75 | Yes | Required |
| Maryland | $165 | Yes | Required |
| Massachusetts | $165 | No | No |
| Michigan | $175 | Yes | Required |
| Minnesota | $310 | Yes | Required |
| Mississippi | $148 | Yes | Required |
| Missouri | $135.5-$142.5 (varies by county) | Yes | Required |
| Montana | $90–120 (varies by county) | No | No |
| Nebraska | Varies by county — confirm with the clerk | No | Required |
| Nevada | $270 | Yes | Required |
| New Hampshire | $170 | Yes | No |
| New Jersey | Varies by county — confirm with the clerk | No | Required |
| New Mexico | $132 | No | Required |
| New York | $210 (Supreme/County Court index number); $65 (NYC Civil Court) | Yes | No |
| North Carolina | Varies by county — confirm with the clerk | Yes | Required |
| North Dakota | $80 | Yes | Required |
| Ohio | $100-$150 (varies by county) | Yes | Required |
| Oklahoma | $160 | No | Required |
| Oregon | $124 | Yes | Required |
| Pennsylvania | Varies by county — confirm with the clerk | No | Required |
| Rhode Island | $30–39 (varies by town) | Yes | Required |
| South Carolina | Varies by county — confirm with the clerk | No | Required |
| South Dakota | $72 | Yes | Required |
| Tennessee | $159.50-$250 (varies by county) | Yes | Required |
| Texas | $150-$360 (varies by county) | Yes | Required |
| Utah | $375 | Yes | Required |
| Vermont | $150 | Yes | Required |
| Virginia | $35-$47 (varies by county) | Yes | Required |
| Washington | $203.50-$308.50 (varies by county/court) | Yes | Required |
| West Virginia | $135–200 (varies by county) | Yes | Required |
| Wisconsin | $164.50 (local surcharges may apply) | Yes | Required |
| Wyoming | $90 (varies by county, typically $45–$120) | No | Required |
Fees reflect state-level court filing fees sourced from official court pages; county and local fees may vary.
What's included in your estimate
Court filing fee
The fee to file your name change petition with the court. Set by state law and collected when you file. Low-income filers can often request a waiver.
Certified copies of the court order
Most institutions — Social Security, DMV, banks, employers — require a certified copy of the final name change order. Ordering several at once is usually cheaper than going back for more later.
Document updates after the order
Social Security card updates are free. A new driver license or state ID, passport, and birth certificate each carry their own fee, which varies by state.
How to lower your name change cost
Apply for a fee waiver before you file, check whether your state exempts gender identity-related name changes from publication, and order only the certified copies you need now. See the fee waiver guide for state-by-state forms.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to change your name in the United States?
Most court filing fees for a legal name change run roughly $150 to $470 depending on the state. After the court order, you may also pay for certified copies, a new driver license, passport, or birth certificate updates. Many states allow low-income filers to request a fee waiver.
How much does it cost to change your name in California?
California courts charge a filing fee for a name change petition (typically around $435, subject to county adjustments). You may also need certified copies of the final order and updated documents. California offers the FW-001 form to request a fee waiver if you cannot afford the fee.
Do I have to pay to publish a name change notice?
Some states require you to publish a name change notice in a newspaper, which can cost roughly $50 to $300 or more. Other states allow a publication waiver, and some exempt gender identity-related name changes entirely. Check your state guide for the current rule.
Are name change fees the same in every county?
No. Filing fees are usually set at the state level but can vary slightly by county, and publication fees vary widely by newspaper and locality. County-specific procedures may also affect your total cost.
Can I get a name change fee waived?
Yes, in most states. Courts commonly accept an application for waiver of court fees (sometimes called in forma pauperis or an affidavit of indigency) when you receive public benefits, have a low income, or can show the fee is a hardship. Approval is up to the court.
Is changing my gender marker more expensive?
Not necessarily. Some states combine the name change and gender marker change in one petition, so you pay one filing fee. In other states you may need separate applications or updated document fees. The calculator includes options for the document updates you plan to make.
Ready to see the full process, not just the price tag? Explore the Complete plan → — NameRight walks you through every form for your state, or read the free California guide to start on your own.
NameRight is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We provide self-help information, document preparation tools, and public court process guidance based on publicly available information. Court procedures and eligibility rules can change, and your situation may require advice from a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. Full legal disclaimer