A marriage name change is free through the courts — you just need your marriage certificate. A court-ordered name change costs $150-500 depending on your state's filing fees and publication requirements. The biggest expense isn't the legal process itself, but replacing all your documents afterward.
We'll walk you through every fee you might encounter, from court costs to passport replacements, so you can budget accurately for your name change.
| Type of Change | Court Filing | Publication | Total Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marriage | $0 | $0 | $0-20 |
| Divorce | $0 | $0 | $0-20 |
| Court Order | $150-400 | $30-200 | $200-600 |
| Minor Child | $150-400 | $0-200 | $150-600 |
| Gender Identity | $0-400 | $0-200 | $0-600 |
Marriage name changes are completely free through the legal system. Your marriage certificate serves as your court order — no additional court filing needed. The only costs come from updating your documents afterward.
Here's what you'll actually pay for a marriage name change:
Most people spend $50-150 total on a marriage name change, with the passport being the biggest expense if you need to pay the full renewal fee. Your Social Security name change is always free, and that's typically your first stop.
The key is timing: if you change your passport within one year of getting it issued, the State Department updates it free. Wait longer, and you'll pay the full $130 passport book fee or $30 passport card fee.
Court-ordered name changes involve actual court filing fees and additional requirements. These apply when you're changing your name for reasons other than marriage or divorce — like adopting a new surname, correcting spelling, or gender identity affirmation.
Filing fees range from $150-400 depending on your state and county. California charges around $435-485, while states like Kentucky charge closer to $150. Texas falls in the middle at $250-300.
Publication fees add $30-200 to your total. Most states require you to publish your name change intention in a local newspaper for 3-4 weeks. Rural areas typically charge $30-60, while major metropolitan newspapers can charge $150-200. Some states waive publication for safety reasons (domestic violence) or allow alternatives like posting at the courthouse.
Certified copies cost $5-20 each, and you'll need 5-10 copies of your court order. Plan on $50-100 for copies — you'll need them for Social Security, your DMV name change, banks, employers, and other agencies.
States with fee waiver programs can reduce costs significantly. If your household income falls below certain thresholds (typically 125-200% of federal poverty guidelines), you may qualify for reduced or waived court fees. Some states also offer reduced fees for gender identity name changes or domestic violence survivors.
Once you have your court order or marriage certificate, you'll update your documents with various agencies. Here's what each one costs:
Social Security (Free): Your Social Security name change never costs anything. Visit your local SSA office with your court order or marriage certificate, fill out Form SS-5, and get your new card in 2-3 weeks.
Driver's License ($10-50): DMV fees vary significantly by state. Nevada charges $10, while some states charge $40-50. You typically have 30 days after your name change to update your license. Check your state's DMV name change requirements for exact timing and fees.
Passport ($130-160 or Free): If you're renewing an adult passport more than one year old, expect to pay $130 for the book or $30 for the card. Passport renewals within one year of issuance are free with proper documentation. First-time adult passports cost $165. See our complete passport name change guide for details.
Birth Certificate ($10-30): This is optional — your birth certificate doesn't legally need to match your current name. But if you want it updated, fees vary by state. Some states don't allow name changes on birth certificates at all.
Bank and Credit Cards (Usually Free): Most banks don't charge for name changes, though some credit unions may charge $5-10 for replacement debit cards. Credit card name changes are typically free, and bank name changes rarely involve fees.
Voter Registration (Free): Updating your voter registration never costs money, though you may need to re-register rather than just update your existing record.
Court filing fees for name changes vary dramatically by state. Here are some examples to help you understand the range:
Most Expensive States:
Least Expensive States:
County-level fees can vary within states. Los Angeles County charges more than rural California counties. Manhattan charges more than upstate New York counties. Always check with your specific county clerk for current fees.
Several states offer reduced fees for specific situations. California name changes may qualify for fee waivers based on income. Texas name changes offer reduced fees for domestic violence survivors. Some states reduce or eliminate publication requirements for gender identity changes.
You can significantly lower your name change cost with these strategies:
Apply for fee waivers. Most states offer income-based fee reductions or waivers. If your household income is below 125-200% of federal poverty guidelines, you may qualify. File the fee waiver petition along with your name change petition.
Shop around for publication. Newspaper publication fees vary widely, even within the same city. Call 3-4 local papers for quotes. Some courts accept online publication or courthouse posting as cheaper alternatives.
Use free name change tools. NewLastName fills out all your federal forms automatically — for free. Other services charge $30-200 for the same form preparation. You'll still pay government fees, but you'll save on service fees.
Time your passport update. If you have a passport less than one year old, wait to change it until after your name change is complete. You'll get the update free instead of paying $130 for a renewal.
Get certified copies in bulk. Courts often offer discounts for multiple copies. Order 8-10 copies of your court order at once rather than coming back later for more.
Check for special programs. Some states offer reduced fees for domestic violence survivors, gender identity changes, or low-income applicants. Ask the court clerk about available programs when you file.
Yes, marriage name changes are legally free. You don't pay court filing fees because your marriage certificate serves as your court order. You'll only pay for document updates afterward — typically $50-150 total for driver's license, passport, and certified marriage certificate copies.
Court-ordered name changes cost $200-600 total, including filing fees ($150-400), publication fees ($30-200), and certified copies ($50-100). Exact costs depend on your state and county. States like California are most expensive at $600+, while states like Kentucky cost around $200 total.
Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Arkansas have the lowest name change costs, typically $180-260 total including publication. Kentucky charges just $150 for court filing plus $30-50 for publication in most counties.
Yes, most states offer fee waivers based on income. If your household income is below 125-200% of federal poverty guidelines, you may qualify for reduced or waived court filing fees. Some states also offer special fee reductions for domestic violence survivors or gender identity changes.
No, Social Security name changes are always free. Visit your local SSA office with your marriage certificate or court order, fill out Form SS-5, and get your new card in 2-3 weeks at no charge. This applies to all types of legal name changes.
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Last verified: 2026-03-30