Child Name Change: How to Change a Minor's Name
Steps
- In California, a child's legal name change goes through the court. If your child lives in California, you file in the county where your child lives.
- California has two paths: one when every parent signs the petition, and one when a parent doesn't sign. A parent who doesn't sign must be served and can oppose the request.
- File the petition and pay the court fee, or ask for a fee waiver. Publish a notice in a newspaper in the county where you file. California's courts say the process generally takes up to 3 months.
- With the signed court order, update your child's Social Security record. The new card comes by mail 5 to 10 business days after Social Security completes the request.
- Then update the passport (a child under 16 applies in person with Form DS-11) and the birth certificate.
From California Courts, the Social Security Administration, the U.S. State Department and the California Department of Public Health, checked 2026-10-21. Sources are listed at the end of this page.
Free cost calculator: estimate your total name-change cost in your state
Free guides, plus an optional tool that copies what you type onto blank official forms you choose. How the tool works
California court steps and forms
This section covers California, because that's the state court guide we checked. Other states use their own forms and fees, and they aren't listed here.
| Step | What the official page says | Official page |
|---|---|---|
| Forms | Petition for Change of Name (NC-100); Name and Information about the Person Whose Name is to be Changed (NC-110), one for each child; Order to Show Cause—Change of Name (NC-120); Decree Changing Name (NC-130). Some courts also require the Civil Case Cover Sheet (CM-010). When all parents sign the request, all parents sign each NC-110. | California Courts: fill out forms, checked 2026-10-21 |
| Filing fee | $435-$450 when you file the forms. If you can't afford the fee, you can ask for a fee waiver. | California Courts: fill out forms, checked 2026-10-21 |
| Newspaper notice | Published in a newspaper of general circulation that publishes legal notices in the county where you file (the county where your child lives). | California Courts: fill out forms, checked 2026-10-21 |
| All parents sign | File the petition together and publish the notice. Some courts hold a hearing; others may decide without one. Generally up to 3 months. | California Courts: all parents sign, checked 2026-10-21 |
| A parent doesn't sign | Serve the other parent, publish the notice, and in most cases go to a hearing. A parent who doesn't agree has the right to oppose. Generally up to 3 months. | California Courts: one parent asking, checked 2026-10-21 |
California's courts say to contact the newspapers to find out the cost of the notice.
If your child lives out of state, the notice is published where your child lives.
California's courts say to make at least 3 copies of all of your forms; the court keeps the original and returns the copies to you, stamped.
If safety is a concern, California lets some families in the Safe at Home or State Witness programs ask to keep the name change confidential (form NC-400-INFO). California's courts also list the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
After the court order: Social Security, passport, birth certificate
| Record | What the official page says | Fee | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Security card | Show proof of the legal name change, such as the court order approving it; a document that identifies your child (SSA prefers the child's U.S. passport); and proof of your own identity. SSA takes originals or copies certified by the issuing agency, not photocopies or notarized copies. The new card keeps the same number. If the name change was more than four years ago, SSA asks for an identity document in your child's prior name. | Free replacement card. Mailed 5 to 10 business days after SSA completes the request. | SSA: documents you need and SSA: replace card, checked 2026-10-21 |
| U.S. passport, child under 16 | Apply in person with Form DS-11. Both parents or guardians go with the child, or, if you both have custody, a parent who can't go signs Form DS-3053 in front of a notary (submit it within 90 days). If you can't find the other parent and you both still have custody, use Form DS-5525. | $100 application fee + $35 acceptance fee (passport book) | State Dept: child under 16 and Passport fees, checked 2026-10-21 |
| California birth certificate | Mail form VS 23, Application to Amend a Birth Certificate After a Court Order Name Change, to CDPH Vital Records. | $26, including one copy of the amended record. $31 for each extra copy. | CDPH: amending a birth record and Vital records fees, checked 2026-10-21 |
Passport processing is 4 to 6 weeks routine or 2 to 3 weeks expedited ($60 more), not counting mail time. If the passport was issued less than 1 year ago and the name changed after it was issued, the State Department's change or correct a passport page lists Form DS-5504, by mail, for that case. See the passport name change guide.
For the passport, if a parent's name is different from the one on the document showing their relationship to the child, the parent submits proof of their legal name change, such as a name change decree.
More detail: the Social Security name change guide and the documents needed list.
Find your state guide
Frequently asked questions
Can I change my child's name if the other parent won't sign?
In California, yes, you can ask the court. You have to serve the other parent, who has the right to oppose. In most cases there's a hearing, and the judge hears all sides and decides.
How long does a child name change take?
California's courts say the court process generally takes up to 3 months. After that, a new Social Security card comes by mail 5 to 10 business days after SSA completes the request.
How much does it cost to change a child's name in California?
The court filing fee is $435-$450, or you can ask for a fee waiver. The newspaper notice costs extra; California's courts say to contact the newspapers for the price. Afterward, the Social Security card is free, a child's passport book is $100 plus a $35 acceptance fee, and an amended California birth certificate is $26.
What does Social Security need to change my child's name?
Proof of the legal name change, such as the court order, plus a document that identifies your child and your own ID. SSA accepts originals or copies certified by the issuing agency, not photocopies.
Does the court order change my child's birth certificate?
For a California birth certificate, not by itself. You apply by mail to the California Department of Public Health with form VS 23 to amend the birth record. California's courts say the signed order is what you use to change documents like the birth certificate.
Official sources
Fees and rules change. Check these official pages before you file.
- Change your child's legal name when all parents sign (California Courts) Checked 2026-10-21.
- Start the name change process for your child: forms, fee and newspaper (California Courts) Checked 2026-10-21.
- Change your child's legal name when 1 or more parents aren't signing (California Courts) Checked 2026-10-21.
- Learn what documents you need for a Social Security card (Social Security Administration) Checked 2026-10-21.
- Replace your Social Security card (Social Security Administration) Checked 2026-10-21.
- Apply for a child's passport under 16 (U.S. Department of State) Checked 2026-10-21.
- Passport fees (U.S. Department of State) Checked 2026-10-21.
- Amending a California birth record (California Department of Public Health) Checked 2026-10-21.
- Vital records fees (California Department of Public Health) Checked 2026-10-21.
Where to start
California's courts have step-by-step guides for both paths.
California Courts: change a child's nameLast checked 2026-10-21 · Not legal advice · Terms · Privacy