How to Change Your Name
in Louisiana
Court requirements, required documents, filing fees, and a step-by-step process for legally changing your name in Louisiana.
Filing Fee
$200-$400
Court fee
Timeline
4-12 weeks
To court order
Court
District Court
Where you file
Louisiana Name Change — Key Facts
Filing Court
District Court
Where to File
File in the District Court in the parish where you reside
Filing Fee
$200-$400
Processing Time
4-12 weeks
Newspaper Publication
Required
Publication Required in Louisiana
Louisiana requires publication of the name change petition in the official journal of the parish (county equivalent) once a week for three consecutive weeks.
Louisiana-Specific Rule
Louisiana requires publication in the official journal of the parish once a week for three consecutive weeks. Louisiana uses a civil law system, so procedures may differ from common law states.
Required Documents in Louisiana
Petition for Change of Name
Birth certificate (certified copy)
Government-issued photo ID
Filing fee payment
Proof of Louisiana residency
Affidavit of publication after three weeks
6-Step Name Change Process in Louisiana
Complete the Name Change Petition
File your petition in File in the District Court in the parish where you reside. 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 Louisiana residency, Affidavit of publication after three weeks.
Pay the Filing Fee
The filing fee in Louisiana is approximately $200-$400. Ask the clerk if fee waivers are available for low-income petitioners.
Complete Newspaper Publication
Louisiana requires publication of the name change petition in the official journal of the parish (county equivalent) once a week for three consecutive weeks.
Attend Your Court Hearing (if required)
Some Louisiana courts hold brief hearings for name change petitions. Others issue orders without a hearing if no one objects. The process typically takes 4-12 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 — Louisiana Name Change
Where do I file for a name change in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, you file in the District Court. File in the District Court in the parish where you reside. Make sure to bring all required documents and payment for the filing fee.
How much does a name change cost in Louisiana?
The filing fee in Louisiana is approximately $200-$400. 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 Louisiana?
Louisiana requires publication of the name change petition in the official journal of the parish (county equivalent) once a week for three consecutive weeks.
How long does a name change take in Louisiana?
From filing to receiving your court order, expect 4-12 weeks in Louisiana. 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 Louisiana?
For your name change petition in Louisiana, gather: Petition for Change of Name, Birth certificate (certified copy), Government-issued photo ID, Filing fee payment, Proof of Louisiana residency, Affidavit of publication after three weeks. JustiPal™ provides a complete Louisiana-specific document checklist.
Related Resources
Free Check
Name Change Readiness
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Name Change Intake Package
Guided intake with Louisiana-specific checklist, court forms, and your complete filing packet.
- Guided intake workflow
- Louisiana 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 Louisiana.
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