Name Change Cost

The cost of a legal name change varies by state and county, but most people pay somewhere between $150 and $500 for the court process alone. The main expense is the court filing fee, which ranges from about $100 to $400 depending on where you live. Some states require you to publish notice of your name change in a local newspaper — that can add another $50 to $200.

After the court order is issued, there are separate fees for updating your documents. A new driver's license typically costs $10–$35. Updating your passport costs $130–$165 (for a new book) if you're already a passport holder. Social Security card updates are free. Certified copies of your court order usually cost $5–$20 each, and you'll want 4–6 copies.

If you cannot afford the filing fee, most courts have a fee waiver process for low-income petitioners. You fill out a form showing your income and household size, and the judge can waive the fee entirely. This is more common than people realize — don't let cost stop you from starting the process without first asking about the waiver.

Knowing the full cost upfront helps you budget and plan. Many people underestimate the total because they only account for the court fee and forget about newspaper publication, certified copies, and document update fees. A realistic total budget of $300–$700 covers most situations.