Name Change Cost Calculator
Steps
- Choose your state and the type of name change.
- Tick any passport form you also plan to file.
- Read the fees in the table. Each one links to the official page it comes from.
- The table does not list fees we have not found on an official page.
How we calculate this
What goes into your costs. We list a fee only when an official page states it, and we link that page.
Court filing fee
Paid to the court when you file your name change petition (required for court-ordered changes; skipped for marriage-based changes where your marriage certificate IS the legal document). In California the fee is $435 ($450 in Riverside and San Francisco counties) (Judicial Council fee schedule, checked 10/19/2026). For other states, the calculator lists a court fee only after we read that court's own fee page.
Publication
Some states require you to publish notice of your name change in a local newspaper. The calculator does not list a publication cost. California's courts, for example, say to contact the newspapers to find out the cost (California Courts, checked 10/19/2026).
Certified copies
You'll need certified copies of your name-change document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order) to submit to Social Security, the DMV, banks, etc. In California, the court charges $40 to certify a copy, plus $0.50 per page (Judicial Council fee schedule, items 187 and 189, checked 10/19/2026). Other copy fees are not listed yet.
DMV / driver's license
The calculator does not list DMV fees yet. USAGov lists every state motor vehicle office (checked 10/19/2026), and our DMV name change guide covers the steps.
Federal fees
| Fee | Amount | Source (checked 10/19/2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security replacement card | Free | SSA: replace your card, checked 10/19/2026 |
| Passport book renewal (DS-82) | $130 | State Department passport fees, checked 10/19/2026 |
| New adult passport book (DS-11) | $130 plus a $35 acceptance fee | State Department passport fees, checked 10/19/2026 |
| Passport name change when the passport was issued less than 1 year ago and the name legally changed after it was issued (DS-5504) | No fee; $60 for expedited service | State Department: change or correct a passport, checked 10/19/2026 |
| California court petition to change a name | $435; $450 in Riverside and San Francisco counties | Judicial Council fee schedule, checked 10/19/2026 |
| California certified copy of a court record | $40, plus $0.50 per page | Judicial Council fee schedule items 187 and 189, checked 10/19/2026 |
This table covers federal fees (Social Security and passports) and two California court fees. Other states' court fees, newspaper publication, most certified copies and DMV fees are not listed yet; we add a fee only after reading the official page.
Ready to start?
Free guides, plus an optional tool that copies what you type onto blank official forms you choose.
Last checked 10/19/2026 · Fees change; the official page linked for each fee is the final word.
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