How to Change Your Name
in District of Columbia
Court requirements, required documents, filing fees, and a step-by-step process for legally changing your name in District of Columbia.
Filing Fee
$200-$250
Court fee
Timeline
4-8 weeks
To court order
Court
Superior Court
Where you file
District of Columbia Name Change — Key Facts
Filing Court
Superior Court
Where to File
File in the Civil Division of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia
Filing Fee
$200-$250
Processing Time
4-8 weeks
Newspaper Publication
Not required
No Publication Required in District of Columbia
No publication required in the District of Columbia.
District of Columbia-Specific Rule
DC does not require newspaper publication. The petitioner must have lived in DC for at least 6 months before filing. The court holds a brief hearing to approve the change.
Required Documents in District of Columbia
Petition for Change of Name
Birth certificate (certified copy)
Government-issued photo ID
Filing fee payment
Proof of DC residency for at least 6 months
Social Security card
6-Step Name Change Process in District of Columbia
Complete the Name Change Petition
File your petition in File in the Civil Division of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The petition includes your current name, requested new name, and reason for the change.
Gather Required Documents
Collect: Petition for Change of Name, Birth certificate (certified copy), Government-issued photo ID, Filing fee payment, Proof of DC residency for at least 6 months, Social Security card.
Pay the Filing Fee
The filing fee in District of Columbia is approximately $200-$250. Ask the clerk if fee waivers are available for low-income petitioners.
Wait for Court Processing
No newspaper publication is required in District of Columbia. The court will process your petition and schedule a hearing or issue the order directly.
Attend Your Court Hearing (if required)
Some District of Columbia courts hold brief hearings for name change petitions. Others issue orders without a hearing if no one objects. The process typically takes 4-8 weeks total.
Update Your Records
After receiving your court order, update your Social Security card (SSA.gov), driver's license (DMV), passport, bank accounts, employer records, voter registration, and other official documents.
Frequently Asked Questions — District of Columbia Name Change
Where do I file for a name change in District of Columbia?
In District of Columbia, you file in the Superior Court. File in the Civil Division of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Make sure to bring all required documents and payment for the filing fee.
How much does a name change cost in District of Columbia?
The filing fee in District of Columbia is approximately $200-$250. If publication is required, add $50–$200 for newspaper fees. You'll also want 2–3 certified copies of your court order ($5–$20 each) to update your records.
Do I need to publish my name change in a newspaper in District of Columbia?
No publication required in the District of Columbia.
How long does a name change take in District of Columbia?
From filing to receiving your court order, expect 4-8 weeks in District of Columbia. After you receive the order, updating all your identification documents (SSA, DMV, passport, bank) typically takes another 2–4 weeks.
What documents do I need to change my name in District of Columbia?
For your name change petition in District of Columbia, gather: Petition for Change of Name, Birth certificate (certified copy), Government-issued photo ID, Filing fee payment, Proof of DC residency for at least 6 months, Social Security card. JustiPal™ provides a complete District of Columbia-specific document checklist.
Related Resources
Free Check
Name Change Readiness
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Name Change Intake Package
Guided intake with District of Columbia-specific checklist, court forms, and your complete filing packet.
- Guided intake workflow
- District of Columbia document checklist
- Court form preparation
- Post-order update checklist
Document preparation · Not a law firm
JustiPal™ prepares documents — we don't provide legal advice. For complex situations (criminal history, minor name changes, etc.), consult an attorney in District of Columbia.
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