Legal Name Change Cost Calculator
A legal name change runs $250-$1,200 in most states including court filing fees, newspaper publication (in many states), and ID updates. Marriage and divorce changes are usually cheaper. Calculate your total cost before petitioning the court.
Court-Ordered vs Marriage Name Change
Marriage and divorce changes use the marriage certificate or divorce decree — no court petition needed, just update IDs ($30-$150 each). Court-ordered changes (for any other reason) require filing a petition, sometimes a hearing, and often publication in a newspaper to give creditors notice. Court-ordered process: $250-$1,200 total.
State-Specific Process
California: $435 filing + publication requirement. Texas: $300 filing + Letter of Permission. New York: $210 filing + Civil Court process. Florida: $400 filing + Hearing required. Some states (Hawaii) require fingerprinting. Most states (Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania) have streamlined processes for transgender name changes.
ID Update Sequence
After receiving the certified court order: (1) Social Security card update — free with Form SS-5. (2) Driver license — $20-$60 depending on state. (3) Passport — $130 if not new, free if new (within first year). (4) Bank accounts, credit cards, mortgages — usually free with court order. Update employer next.
Source: NCCS (National Center for State Courts) filing fee data, US State Department passport name change rules, SSA Form SS-5 instructions. Last updated: May 2026.