Name Change Cost Calculator
Estimate your total cost by state and type — court filing, publication, certified copies, DMV, and passport all factored in.
How we calculate this
What goes into your costs. We only show a number when an official source gives one; everything else varies.
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). Court filing fees vary by state and county; check your court's fee schedule. In California the fee is $435 ($450 in Riverside and San Francisco counties) (official source).
Publication
Some states require you to publish notice of your name change in a local newspaper. Whether it applies, how long it runs and what it varies.
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. Copy fees vary / issuing office.
DMV / driver's license
The license fee varies; check your state's DMV. Always update Social Security first — the DMV verifies against SSA records.
Federal forms (free or cheap)
Social Security (Form SS-5) is always free. Passport renewal (DS-82) is $130. New passport (DS-11) is $130 + $35 acceptance fee ($165 total). Free passport replacement (DS-5504) if you renewed within the past year.
Ready to start?
Free guides, plus an optional tool that copies what you type onto blank official forms you choose.
Last verified: 2026-04-19 · Fees are estimates — verify with your local court before filing.
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