How to Change Your Name in New York — Complete 2026 Guide
Marriage, divorce, court, minor, gender — every New York name change path in one place.
Changing your name in New York means picking the right path — marriage certificate, divorce decree, or a court petition filed at the New York Supreme Court in the county where you live. New York law does not require newspaper publication for a name change (Civil Rights Law §63); the court may still require notice to certain people (official source).
What’s different in New York
In New York, you file in Supreme Court or County Court in your county; New York City residents may use any NYC Civil Court. The court fee is $210 in Supreme and County Courts or $65 in NYC Civil Court. Current Civil Rights Law sections 63–64 do not require newspaper publication, though the court may order notice to certain people. (official source; official source; official source)
Where to file: Supreme Court or County Court in your county; New York City residents may use any NYC Civil Court (official source)
Publication: Not required by statute (Civil Rights Law §63); the court may still require notice to certain people (official source)
Filing fee: $210 in Supreme and County Courts; $65 in NYC Civil Court (last checked 2026-10-11) (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: New York Name Change
The numbers you'll come back to.
Court Filing Fee
Varies; check your court (statewide; index number included)
Certified Copies
Varies; check your court (order 4)
DMV Driver's License Fee
Varies; check your state's DMV (Form MV-44 or MV-44NC)
Court-Ordered Timeline
Varies from filing to decree
Marriage/Divorce Timeline
Immediate with certificate or decree
Court Jurisdiction
Supreme Court in your county of residence
Publication Required?
No statewide requirement (Civil Rights Law §63)
New York-Specific Details
In New York, adult name changes are filed in the Supreme Court of the county where you reside. Major filing locations include the New York County Supreme Court in Manhattan, Kings County Supreme Court in Brooklyn, and Erie County Supreme Court in Buffalo.
After approval, certified copies vary; check your court. Most people need about four copies for updating various documents. One notable advantage is that New York allows fee waivers for low-income petitioners who can demonstrate financial hardship through an affidavit.
Updating your driver's license involves a fee using Form MV-44, and the DMV processes new cards by mail within the required time—no appointment necessary. Check your state's DMV. New York's DMV offers progressive gender-marker policies, allowing self-attestation to change gender markers and providing a nonbinary "X" option alongside traditional M/F designations. The New York City DMV offices tend to have longer wait times during weekday mornings, so consider visiting after 2 PM or on Saturdays when possible. Remember that New York's Enhanced Driver's License serves as REAL ID compliant documentation for federal purposes. Estimate your total at our cost calculator.
Pick Your New York Name Change Path
Each path has its own paperwork, court involvement, and timeline. Tap a card to see how it works in New York, then jump to the full guide.
Marriage Name Change in New York
In New York, your marriage certificate is your legal name change document — no court order, no publication, no extra fees beyond certified copies (varies in NYC, varies elsewhere).
If you're changing your name after marriage in New York, you don't need a court order. Your certified marriage certificate serves as your legal proof of name change. This is the most straightforward path for a New York name change.
Step 1: Get Your Certified Marriage Certificate
You'll need multiple certified copies (usually 3-5) since many agencies require originals. If you married in New York City, order through the NYC Department of Health. For marriages elsewhere in New York State, contact the New York State Department of Health Vital Records office. Check the vital records office.
Step 2: Update Social Security First
Visit your local Social Security office with your certified marriage certificate, current ID, and proof of citizenship. This is free and varies in length by mail after SSA processes your request to receive your new card. Check Social Security. Every other agency will ask for this updated Social Security card as proof, so handle this first.
Step 3: Update Your Driver's License
Once you receive your new Social Security card, visit a New York DMV office. Bring your current license, certified marriage certificate, and pay the amendment fee (varies; check the vital records office). You can also handle this by mail for standard licenses if your name is already updated with SSA.
Step 4: Update Everything Else
With your updated Social Security card and driver's license, you can now update your passport, voter registration, bank accounts, employer records, and insurance policies. Most agencies accept your certified marriage certificate as proof of the name change.
New York 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).
New York offers two options for changing your name during divorce proceedings. You can either request the name change as part of your divorce decree, or take a separate court step after the divorce is finalized (rules vary by state).
Option 1: Include in Divorce Decree
The easiest approach is requesting the name change in your divorce papers. If you have a lawyer, ask them to include a name-restoration clause; if not, ask the court self-help center how to request one. The final divorce decree will include the name change order, serving as your legal proof.
Option 2: A separate court step (rules vary by state)
If your divorce decree doesn't include a name change, you can take a separate court step (rules vary by state).
Required Documents:
Your final divorce decree (certified copy)
Current driver's license or state ID
Birth certificate (if restoring birth name)
Most people changing their name after divorce are returning to a prior name (often their name before marriage), which simplifies the process since there's clear documentation of that previous name.
For any name change that's not through marriage or divorce.
For adult name changes not related to marriage or divorce — such as personal preference, gender identity, or cultural reasons — you'll need to file a petition in New York Supreme Court. This is the most comprehensive process for a New York name change.
Step 1: Prepare Your Petition
Complete the "Petition for Change of Name" form. New York doesn't provide a standardized statewide form, so check with your county clerk for local forms. Your petition must include your current name, desired new name, reason for the change, and an affirmation that you're not seeking the change for fraudulent purposes.
Step 2: File with the Supreme Court
File your petition in the Supreme Court of the county where you live. The filing fee is typically $210 statewide, which includes the index number fee.
Step 3: Notice New York law does not require newspaper publication for a name change (Civil Rights Law §63); the court may still require notice to certain people (official source).
Step 4: Court Hearing If no one objects to your name change, the judge will typically grant the petition and sign your order.
Required Documents for Filing:
Completed petition for name change
Birth certificate (certified copy)
Current government-issued photo ID
Filing fee (varies includes the index number)
Self-addressed stamped envelope for the court's response
Timeline: How long the court process takes varies by county; check your court (official source).
New York requires Supreme Court approval for any minor name change. Both biological parents must consent unless rights are terminated — and children 14+ must consent themselves.
Changing a child's name in New York requires filing a petition in Supreme Court, similar to adult name changes, but with additional consent and notice requirements to protect the child's interests.
Consent Requirements:
If both parents are living, both must consent to the name change unless one parent's rights have been terminated. If you're a single parent with sole custody, you'll need to provide documentation of this arrangement. For children 14 and older, the child must also consent to the name change.
Required Documents:
Petition for Change of Name (for the minor)
Child's birth certificate (certified copy)
Consent forms from both parents (or sole custody documentation)
Consent from the child (if 14 or older)
Court filing fee (varies; check your court)
Special Circumstances:
If one parent objects or cannot be located, the process becomes more complex. The court may require additional notice procedures or appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the child's interests. If a parent is deceased, you'll need to provide a death certificate.
The court will consider the best interests of the child when deciding whether to grant the name change. Common approved reasons include adoption, family unity, avoiding embarrassment, or safety concerns.
New York allows DMV self-attestation for gender markers and offers an "X" nonbinary option on licenses and birth certificates. Court petitions don't require medical documentation.
New York is supportive of name changes for gender identity purposes, treating them the same as other court-ordered name changes. You can change both your name and gender marker on various documents, and New York allows self-attestation for gender marker updates on driver's licenses.
Court Process for Name Change:
The petition process is identical to other adult court-ordered name changes. You don't need to provide medical documentation or psychological evaluations — simply state in your petition that the name change is for gender identity purposes. New York courts routinely approve these requests.
Birth Certificate Gender Marker:
To update your gender marker on a New York birth certificate, you'll need to submit an application with an affidavit from a licensed healthcare provider stating that your gender identity differs from the sex assigned at birth. New York recognizes X (non-binary) markers on birth certificates.
Driver's License Updates:
The New York DMV allows self-attestation for gender marker changes — no court order or medical documentation required. You can update both your name (with your court order) and gender marker in the same visit. New York offers X (non-binary) markers on licenses and IDs.
Recommended Order:
How long the court process takes varies by county; check your court (official source).
Update Social Security records with court order
Update New York driver's license (name and gender marker)
Apply for birth certificate amendment (if desired)
Update passport with State Department
Many transgender individuals find it helpful to update their driver's license and Social Security records before updating their birth certificate, as these documents are used more frequently in daily life.
Employer / HR. Update employment records, payroll, and benefits.
Insurance. Health, auto, renters/homeowners, and life policies.
Professional Licenses. New York licensing boards for medical, legal, real estate, and other licensed professions.
New York DMV Name Change Requirements
No appointment needed for a basic name change — but update Social Security first.
What to bring:
Your current New York driver's license, permit, or non-driver ID.
Original or certified copy of your name change document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).
Proof of your Social Security number (updated SS card, W-2, or pay stub showing full SSN).
Varies license/permit amendment fee (or varies for non-driver ID) — cash, check, money order, or debit/credit card.
Two ways to do it: In person at any NY DMV office using Form MV-44, or by mail using Form MV-44NC if you have a Standard license, your name is already updated with SSA, and you don't need to change anything else. Mail option requires a check for the fee to "Commissioner of Motor Vehicles" and goes to: Utica Processing Center, 207 Genesee Street, Utica, NY 13501.
REAL ID / Enhanced upgrade: Required for air travel after May 2025. Must visit in person with two proofs of NY residency (utility bills or bank statements). Enhanced licenses also work for U.S./Canada/Mexico land-and-sea border crossings.
Gender marker: Self-attestation only — no court order or medical documentation needed. New York offers M, F, and X (non-binary) options. Vehicle title and registration name updates can be handled at the same DMV visit.
DMV contact: dmv.ny.gov · 518-486-9786 · Hours vary by office; check dmv.ny.gov/offices for your local schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a name change cost in New York?
A court-ordered name change in New York has a court fee of $210 in Supreme and County Courts or $65 in NYC Civil Court; certified copies cost extra. New York law does not require newspaper publication for a name change (Civil Rights Law §63); the court may still require notice to certain people. Marriage-based name changes only require the cost of certified marriage certificates (varies; check the vital records office).
How long does a name change take in New York?
How long the court process takes varies by county; check your court. New York law does not require newspaper publication for a name change (Civil Rights Law §63); the court may still require notice to certain people. Marriage-based name changes can be processed immediately once you have your certified marriage certificate.
Do I need a lawyer to change my name in New York?
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 New York?
Yes, if you're changing your name due to marriage or divorce. Your certified marriage certificate or divorce decree serves as legal proof of the name change without needing a separate court order. All other name changes require a court petition in New York Supreme Court.
Where do I file for a name change in New York?
File your name change petition in the Supreme Court of the county where you live in New York. Each county has its own Supreme Court clerk's office. You cannot file in a different county, even if it's more convenient.
What documents do I need for a New York name change?
For court-ordered changes, you need a completed petition, certified birth certificate, current photo ID, and the filing fee. For marriage-based changes, you only need certified copies of your marriage certificate. For divorce-based changes, you need your final divorce decree with name change language.
Can I change my child's name in New York?
Yes, but you need consent from both parents (unless one parent's rights are terminated) and the child must consent if they're 14 or older. New York law does not require newspaper publication for a name change (Civil Rights Law §63); the court may still require notice to certain people.
Official sources
Forms, fees and rules change. Check these official pages (and your county court) before you file.