How to Change Your Name in Illinois — Complete 2026 Guide
Marriage, divorce, court, minor, gender — every Illinois name change path in one place.
Changing your name in Illinois means picking the right path — your marriage certificate, your divorce decree, or a name-change petition filed at the Circuit Court in the county where you live (Cook County Circuit Court for Chicago residents); you must have lived in Illinois for the required period by the hearing or order (735 ILCS 5/21-101). Illinois repealed its statewide newspaper-publication rule (735 ILCS 5/21-103) effective March 1, 2025; whether any notice is required varies by county; check your court (official source).
What’s different in Illinois
In Illinois, you file in the circuit court of the county where you live and must have lived in Illinois for 3 months. Illinois does not require fingerprints; you file a verified statement about any criminal history, and the court may ask for a State Police record update. The old publication rule (735 ILCS 5/21-103) was repealed in 2025, so ask your court whether any notice applies. (official source)
Where to file: Circuit court in the county where you live (735 ILCS 5/21-101) (official source)
Residency: Illinois resident for at least 3 months by the time of the hearing or order (735 ILCS 5/21-101) (official source)
Publication: The statewide publication rule (735 ILCS 5/21-103) was repealed effective March 1, 2025; whether any notice applies varies by county; check your court (official source)
Background check: No fingerprints; you file a verified statement about any criminal history, and the court or State's Attorney may ask for a State Police record update (735 ILCS 5/21-102) (official source)
Free guides, plus an optional tool that copies what you type onto blank official forms you choose. How the tool works
Quick Facts: Illinois Name Change
The numbers you'll come back to. Filing fees vary by county; certified copies cost extra at every step.
Court Filing Fee
Varies by county (Cook County highest); check your court
Certified Copies
Varies; check your court (order 4)
Driver's License Fee
Varies; check your state's DMV (Secretary of State facility)
Court-Ordered Timeline
Varies from filing to final order
Marriage/Divorce Timeline
Immediate with certificate or decree
Court Jurisdiction
Circuit Court in your county of residence (Illinois resident)
Publication Required?
No statewide rule since March 1, 2025 (735 ILCS 5/21-103 repealed)
Illinois-Specific Details
Illinois requires name change petitions to be filed in the circuit court of the county where you live, and you must be an Illinois resident for the required period. Major courts handling these cases include the Circuit Court of Cook County in Chicago, the Circuit Court of DuPage County in Wheaton, and the Circuit Court of Will County in Joliet. The filing fee varies slightly by county, with Cook County typically at the higher end due to additional administrative costs.
One notable Illinois quirk involves military service members: active duty personnel can petition in any Illinois county regardless of residency requirements, and some counties offer fee waivers for those demonstrating financial hardship through an indigency affidavit.
For driver's license updates, Illinois residents visit any Secretary of State facility without appointments, paying a replacement fee (varies; check your state's DMV). The state has embraced progressive gender-marker policies, allowing self-attestation for changes and offering a nonbinary "X" option since 2020. The Chicago North facility on Elston Avenue typically sees shorter wait times on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, while suburban locations often process updates faster than downtown offices. New licenses arrive by mail within the required time, and Illinois has been REAL ID compliant since 2020, so your updated license will meet federal requirements automatically. Check your state's DMV. Certified copies of your court order vary; check your court. Most people need about four copies for various agencies. Estimate your total at our cost calculator.
Pick Your Illinois Name Change Path
Each path has its own paperwork, court involvement, and timeline. Tap a card to see how it works in Illinois, then jump to the full guide.
Marriage Name Change in Illinois
In Illinois, your certified marriage certificate is your legal name change document — no court filing, no publication, no extra fees beyond certified copy fees, which vary.
How it works in Illinois:
Get certified copies of your marriage certificate. Order at least 3-4 copies from the county clerk where you were married. Certified copy fees vary by copy.
Update your Social Security record first. Visit your local SSA office with your current driver's license, certified marriage certificate, and citizenship documents. SSA name change is free and takes 5-10 business days by mail after SSA processes your request for your new card to arrive. Other agencies verify against SSA records.
Update your Illinois driver's license. Once you receive your new Social Security card, visit a Secretary of State facility with your current license, marriage certificate, and new Social Security card. The fee varies; check Social Security.
Illinois doesn't require you to change your name when you marry — it's entirely your choice. You can keep your prior name, take your spouse's name, hyphenate, or even create a combination name (though the last option requires a court order). No court appearance, no publication requirement.
Illinois offers two paths: name restoration written into your divorce decree (free, easy), or a separate court step after the divorce is final (rules vary by state).
Name restoration in divorce decree (recommended): Request name restoration in your original divorce petition or response. Include language like "Petitioner requests restoration of former name [your prior name]." The judge will typically grant this without additional hearings, and your final divorce decree will include the name change order. There's no additional fee beyond your divorce filing costs, and the process adds minimal time to your overall divorce timeline.
Separate name change after divorce: If your decree didn't include name restoration, you'll need a separate court step (rules vary by state).
Your certified divorce decree serves as proof of your name change for updating documents with government agencies, banks, employers, and other institutions. Make sure to order several certified copies from the court clerk — you'll need them throughout the update process.
To change to a brand-new name (not restoration), use the court-ordered name change process below.
For any name change that's not through marriage or divorce. How long the court process takes varies by county; check your court (official source).
A court-ordered name change in Illinois is required when you want to change your name for reasons other than marriage or divorce. This includes personal preference, cultural reasons, gender identity affirmation, or other life circumstances.
1. File your petition. File in the circuit court of the county where you live (Illinois residency:). Illinois doesn't have a standardized name change form — each county may have slightly different requirements. Contact your local circuit court clerk for the specific forms and filing fee (varies; check your court).
Your petition must include:
Your current legal name and the name you want
Your address and length of residence in Illinois
Reason for the name change request
Statement that the change isn't for fraudulent purposes
Any criminal history or pending legal proceedings
2.
3. Attend your court hearing. These hearings are typically routine — the judge will verify your identity, confirm you've met all requirements, and ensure the name change isn't for illegal purposes. Bring photo ID and any supporting documents related to your name change reason. Fees and timing vary by court.
4. Get your court order. Once the judge grants your petition, you'll receive a court order officially changing your name. Order at least 5-6 certified copies from the court clerk — you'll need these to update all your documents and accounts.
Illinois requires both biological parents' consent for minor name changes; if the child is 14 or older, many counties require the minor's consent too. Filed at the Circuit Court in the child's home county.
Changing a child's name in Illinois requires additional steps to protect the minor's interests and parental rights.
Consent requirements: Both biological parents must consent to the name change, even if one parent doesn't have custody. If both parents aren't available to consent, you may need to demonstrate:
The absent parent has abandoned the child
The absent parent's parental rights have been terminated
The absent parent cannot be located after diligent effort
The name change serves the child's best interests
Filing process: The petition process is similar to adult name changes but includes additional protections:
File in the county where the child lives
Include both parents' information and consent
Explain why the name change benefits the child
Pay filing fees (varies by county; check your court)
If the child is 14 or older, many counties require the minor to consent to the name change as well. The judge will consider the child's wishes along with other factors.
Common situations: Minor name changes often occur when a parent remarries and wants the child to share the stepparent's surname, when paternity is established and the child wants the father's name, when the child's birth name causes significant problems or embarrassment, or for gender identity affirmation for transgender minors. The court's primary concern is always the child's best interests, not the parents' preferences.
Illinois is among the most supportive states for gender-affirming changes. DMV self-attestation (M / F / X), no medical documentation required, and confidential proceedings for safety concerns.
Illinois is among the most supportive states for transgender and non-binary individuals seeking name and gender marker changes. The process combines name change procedures with updated identity documents.
Legal name change for gender identity: Follow the standard court-ordered name change process above. Illinois courts generally approve gender-affirming name changes without requiring medical documentation or proof of transition. Your petition should clearly state that the name change is for gender identity purposes. Ask your court clerk about confidential proceedings if you have safety concerns about public notice.
Gender marker updates by document:
Driver's License / ID: Self-attestation only. No court order or medical documentation required. Illinois recognizes male (M), female (F), and non-binary (X) markers. Visit any Secretary of State facility with your current license, completed application indicating your correct gender marker, and the standard license fee. Check your state's DMV.
Birth Certificate: Illinois allows birth certificate gender marker changes for people born in the state. You'll need a court order for name change (if applicable), a physician's letter confirming appropriate clinical treatment (not necessarily surgery), and an application and fee to the Department of Public Health. How long the court process takes varies by county; check your court (official source). Updated birth certificates don't show any indication of the previous gender marker.
Passport: Accepts self-selected gender markers. Use your court-ordered decree for both name and gender marker updates.
Combining name + gender marker: You can update your gender marker when you update your name, or separately if your name isn't changing. Request both in a single court petition to save time and fees.
Insurance. Auto, health, life, renters/homeowners, and property policies.
Professional Licenses. Illinois licensing boards for medical, legal, real estate, and other licensed professions.
Illinois DMV Name Change Requirements
Walk-in visit at any Secretary of State facility — no appointment needed. Update Social Security first.
What to bring:
Your current Illinois driver's license or ID card.
Your name change document (original or certified copy): marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
Your Social Security card showing your new name.
One proof of Illinois residency (utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement).
Varies standard license fee — most facilities accept cash, check, or card.
The process: Visit any Secretary of State facility — no appointment needed at most locations. Find your nearest facility at ilsos.gov. There's no separate downloadable name change form — you'll complete the application at the facility, present your documents, pay the fee, and take a new photo. You'll receive a temporary paper license immediately, and your permanent card arrives by mail. Check your state's DMV.
REAL ID upgrade: Illinois has been REAL ID compliant since 2020, so your updated license will meet federal requirements automatically. If you're getting a REAL ID, use the online pre-verification system at realid.ilsos.gov to save time at your visit.
Gender marker: Illinois allows self-attestation on driver's licenses with M, F, and X (non-binary) options. No court order or medical documentation required.
SOS contact: ilsos.gov · 217-782-6212 · Hours vary by facility; most open Monday-Friday.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a name change cost in Illinois?
Marriage-based name changes are free except for certified copies of your marriage certificate (fees vary). Check the vital records office. Illinois repealed its statewide newspaper-publication rule (735 ILCS 5/21-103) effective March 1, 2025; whether any notice is required varies by county; check your court. Driver's license updates vary; check your state's DMV.
How long does a name change take in Illinois?
Marriage name changes can begin immediately with your marriage certificate. Illinois repealed its statewide newspaper-publication rule (735 ILCS 5/21-103) effective March 1, 2025; whether any notice is required varies by county; check your court. Update times for individual documents (Social Security, driver's license, passport) vary by agency.
Do I need a lawyer to change my name in Illinois?
Many people handle a name change themselves. If your situation involves custody, immigration, or a criminal record, consider talking to a lawyer.
Can I change my name without a court order in Illinois?
Yes, if you're changing your name due to marriage or divorce. Your certified marriage certificate or divorce decree serves as legal proof of your name change. Court orders are only required for name changes not related to marriage or divorce, such as personal preference or gender identity affirmation.
Where do I file for a name change in Illinois?
File your name change petition with the circuit court in the county where you live (Illinois residency:). Each county has slightly different forms and procedures, so contact your local circuit court clerk for specific requirements and current filing fees. Fees and timing vary by court.
What documents do I need for an Illinois name change?
For marriage name changes: certified marriage certificate. For divorce: divorce decree with name restoration. For all types: you'll need these documents plus photo ID to update Social Security, driver's license, passport, and other records.
Can I change my gender marker in Illinois?
Yes, Illinois allows gender marker changes on driver's licenses through self-attestation (no medical documentation required) with M, F, and X options available. Birth certificate gender markers can be updated with a physician's letter and court order for name change if applicable.
Official sources
Forms, fees and rules change. Check these official pages (and your county court) before you file.