Legal Name Change in Louisiana: Court-Ordered Process
Petition the District Court for a name change. We’ll fill out the petition + every follow-up form for free.
A court-ordered name change in Louisiana uses a parish-specific petition under Louisiana Civil Code Section 4751, filed at your parish District Court. Louisiana doesn’t have a standardized statewide form — each parish’s district court provides its own petition. Filing fees run $150-$300; newspaper publication, when required, runs $50-$150 over 2 weeks; certified copies $5-$15 each. Total typical: $200-$450. The process takes 4-8 weeks from filing to your signed court order. We fill out the federal follow-up forms — Social Security, passport, IRS — and walk you through OMV, voter, and bank updates after the hearing.
Louisiana Name Change Forms
Louisiana doesn’t use a standardized statewide form. Each parish district court provides its own petition.
Parish-specific petition under Civil Code Section 4751. Current name, requested name, reason for change, residency declaration, signature before a notary.
Final court order signed by the judge after your hearing. Your legal proof of name change — the document you’ll need certified copies of.
Affidavit from the parish-qualified newspaper confirming the name change notice ran for two consecutive weeks. Required by most parishes.
Louisiana’s indigent fee waiver. File this with your petition if you can’t afford the $150-$300 filing fee. Approved based on financial hardship.
Step-by-Step Louisiana Name Change Process
Same 4-step path in every parish, with local variation in fees, forms, and publication rules.
Step 1: File Your Petition with the District Court
File your petition in the district court of the parish where you live. If you’re incarcerated, file in the parish where you were sentenced. The petition must include your current name, desired new name, and reasons for the change.
Louisiana courts typically have their own petition forms, so contact your parish’s district court clerk for the specific form and current filing fee. Filing fees run $150-$300 depending on the parish, with some courts charging additional fees for publication processing.
Your signature must be notarized before filing. Larger parishes like Orleans, Jefferson, and East Baton Rouge may have forms available on their court websites; smaller parishes typically require an in-person visit to the clerk’s office.
Step 2: Publish Notice (Most Parishes, 2 Weeks)
Louisiana law doesn’t mandate publication for all name changes, but many parishes require it as standard practice. When required, notice must run in a parish-qualified newspaper for two consecutive weeks. Cost: $50-$150.
Publication serves as public notice and allows anyone to object to your name change before the court hearing. The court clerk can provide a list of qualified newspapers in your parish.
Publication waivers are available if you’re a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault. Include your request for waiver in your original petition with supporting documentation.
Step 3: Attend Your Court Hearing
Most Louisiana parishes require a court hearing, though some may approve uncontested petitions without one. Hearings are typically brief (5-15 minutes). Bring valid identification and any supporting documents.
Bring: photo ID (driver’s license or passport), proof of publication (affidavit from the newspaper), your filed petition, and any supporting documents explaining your reason.
Common questions the judge will ask:
- What is your current legal name and parish of residence?
- Why do you want to change your name?
- Are you trying to avoid debts or legal obligations?
- Have you been convicted of any felonies?
Be honest and direct. Valid reasons include personal preference, cultural significance, gender identity affirmation, family reasons, or escaping an abusive situation. Judges rarely deny requests unless there’s evidence of fraudulent intent.
Some judges issue the order immediately; others mail it within a few days.
Step 4: Get Your Certified Court Order
Once the judge approves your name change, order multiple certified copies of the court order from the parish clerk — $5-$15 each. Plan on at least 5-10 copies for federal and state updates.
After Your Court Order: Updating Your Documents
Federal first. Social Security, then everything else cascades.
Show 6-step update checklist
Form SS-5 with certified court order. Free, 2-4 weeks. Required first.
DS-82 ($130, court order <1 year old) or DS-11 ($160). 6-8 weeks.
Bring certified court order + new SS card to your local OMV office. Replacement license fee applies.
GeauxVote.com. Free. Update at the same time as your OMV visit if you prefer.
Form 8822 by mail. Free. Important before tax season.
Court order + new license at branch. Same day.
Special Situations in Louisiana
Louisiana Civil Code Section 4751 has specific rules for minors, gender identity, and domestic violence survivors.
Show special situations (minors / gender / DV)
Minor Children Name Changes
Louisiana Civil Code Section 4751(C) sets specific rules for minors: both parents typically must consent, with carve-outs for absent or non-supporting parents.
- Both parents must sign the petition — if both are living and have parental rights
- Custodial parent can petition alone — if the non-custodial parent hasn’t paid support for one year or hasn’t contacted the child for two years
- Tutor (legal guardian) — signs if there are no living parents
- Special tutor appointed — the judge appoints one if no tutor exists
- Child must attend hearing — if old enough to express preference, typically age 12+
See our minor name change guide for the full process.
Gender Identity Name Changes
Louisiana courts generally approve name changes for gender identity reasons following the same process as other legal name changes.
- Same legal standard — whether the name change serves a legitimate purpose
- Parish variation — some parishes have more experience with these petitions than others
- Consider an attorney — if also seeking to update your birth certificate gender marker
See our gender identity name change guide.
Domestic Violence Exemptions
Survivors of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault qualify for additional protections.
- Publication waiver — petition the court to skip newspaper publication
- Supporting documentation — restraining orders, police reports, advocate letters
- Sealed records — some parishes will seal the case file
Louisiana Name Change Cost Breakdown
Total: $200-$450 typical. $0-$50 with an in forma pauperis fee waiver.
Show full cost table
| Expense | Louisiana Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court Filing Fee | $150-$300 | Varies by parish; in forma pauperis waiver available |
| Newspaper Publication | $50-$150 | 2 weeks, parish-qualified newspaper (when required) |
| Certified Copies (5-10) | $25-$150 | $5-$15 per copy |
| OMV License Update | $32 | After receiving certified court order |
| Passport Renewal | $130-$160 | DS-82 or DS-11 |
| Total | $200-$450 | Before fee waivers |
Other state guides
See all 50 state legal-name-change guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a legal name change take in Louisiana?
A Louisiana legal name change typically takes 4-8 weeks from filing your petition at the District Court to receiving your signed court order. The timeline depends on your parish's court schedule, the required newspaper publication period (typically 2 weeks), and hearing availability. After your court order is signed, updating federal documents takes an additional 2-6 weeks per agency.
How much does it cost to change your name in Louisiana?
Louisiana name change costs typically range from $200-$450 total. This includes District Court filing fees ($150-$300, varies by parish), newspaper publication ($50-$150 when required), and certified copies of your court order ($5-$15 each). Contact your parish District Court clerk for current fees, since each parish sets its own.
Can I change my name without publication in Louisiana?
Publication requirements vary by Louisiana parish and judge. While Louisiana state law doesn't mandate publication for every petition, most parishes require it as standard practice — typically two consecutive weeks in a parish-qualified newspaper. You may petition to waive publication for safety reasons, such as domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault. Include the waiver request in your original petition with supporting documentation.
Can felons change their name in Louisiana?
People convicted of felonies cannot petition for a name change in Louisiana until their sentence is completely satisfied, including probation and parole. Those convicted of crimes of violence as defined in Louisiana law are permanently barred from court-ordered name changes. The restriction applies to all forms of supervision, not just imprisonment.
Do I need a lawyer for a name change in Louisiana?
You don't need a lawyer for a straightforward name change in Louisiana. Most people can handle the process themselves by obtaining the petition form from their parish District Court clerk and following the court's instructions. Consider consulting an attorney if you have a felony conviction, anticipate objections, or have complex family law issues involved.
Which Louisiana court handles name changes?
File your name change petition in the District Court of the parish where you reside, under Louisiana Civil Code Section 4751. If you're incarcerated, file in the District Court of the parish where you were sentenced. Each parish has its own District Court with its own petition form and procedures, so contact your local parish clerk for current requirements and fees.
Ready to File Your Louisiana Petition?
We’ll walk you through every federal follow-up form — SS-5, DS-82, DS-11, IRS 8822 — filled out and ready to sign. Plus everything else you need to update after your parish hearing.
Start Your Free Louisiana Court PetitionLast verified 2026-04-26 · Not legal advice · Terms · Privacy