People change their names all the time – for marriage, divorce, on a dare, or simply because they don’t like their current name. When I see people who have changed their names to interesting things (such as Santa Claus or Tyrannosaurus Rex, both real people), I have to wonder – was that worth it for them? How much does it cost to be named Bacon Double Cheeseburger?
The cost to change your name varies per state, ranging from $50 to $400. Name changes due to marriage are not as expensive, ranging from $20 to $120. The cost for legal name changes is generally from court filing, petition, or marriage license fees.
In this article, I will describe how much it costs to change your last name, whether because of marriage, divorce, or personal reasons. I will also show a state-by-state comparison of name change fees, both with and without a marriage certificate.
How Much Does It Cost To Change Your Last Name?
A legal name change can be a lengthy and costly process, with name change forms, cause orders, decrees, and court hearings. If you are changing your first, middle, or last name for a reason other than marriage or divorce, you will have to fill out a form with your local government. The filing fee for these depends on the state but can vary from $50 to $400 (see table below for comparison).
The costs of changing your name will involve passports, driver’s licenses, and other official documents, but the most significant fee is to obtain legal proof of your new name. This proof will either be an official name change form, a court order for a change, or a government decree, provided by the courts.
It is almost always possible to waive a fee based on decreased income. You can apply for this when you file your legal name change form.
How Much Does It Cost To Change Your Name in Different States?
When it comes to legal name changes, every state is a little different. The process is mostly the same, but the filing fees, DMV fees, and some minor requirements vary from state to state.
Some states require advertisements for up to four weeks in a local newspaper to make the change official. Others ask you to appear before the judge to plead your case. However, most states provide straightforward, easy to follow instructions on how to file an official form and gain a new name.
Here is a table listing the cost to change your name by state, with links to further instructions and form downloads provided by the court systems.
| State | Name Change Cost | Marriage License Cost |
Alabama | $95 | $90 |
| Alaska | $150 | $30 |
| Arizona | $300 | $83 |
| Arkansas | $195 | $60 |
| California | $435 | $100 |
| Colorado | $238 | $30 |
| Connecticut | $225 | $80 |
| Delaware | $85 | $70 |
| Florida | $400 | $95 |
| Georgia | $320 | $95 |
| Hawaii | $50 | $60 |
| Idaho | $161 | $30 |
| Illinois | $20 | $60 |
| Indiana | $100 | $20 |
| Iowa | $195 | $35 |
| Kansas | $175 | $85 |
| Kentucky | $45 | $35 |
| Louisiana | $400 | $30 |
| Maine | $60 | $30 |
| Maryland | $165 | $35 |
| Massachusetts | $150 | $50 |
| Michigan | $50 | $20 |
| Minnesota | $315 | $115 |
| Mississippi | $150 | $35 |
| Missouri | $150 | $50 |
| Montana | $150 | $55 |
| Nebraska | $200 | $25 |
| Nevada | $270 | $60 |
| New Hampshire | $110 | $50 |
| New Jersey | $250 | $30 |
| New Mexico | $200 | $25 |
| New York | $65 | $35 |
| North Carolina | $120 | $60 |
| North Dakota | $80 | $65 |
| Ohio | $110 | $60 |
| Oklahoma | $175 | $50 |
| Oregon | $120 | $60 |
| Pennsylvania | $330 | $80 |
| Rhode Island | $65 | $25 |
| South Carolina | $150 | $75 |
| South Dakota | $70 | $40 |
| Tennessee | $160 | $100 |
| Texas | $300 | $80 |
| Utah | $150 | $60 |
| Vermont | $150 | $60 |
| Virginia | $40 | $30 |
| Washington | $200 | $60 |
| West Virginia | $200 | $55 |
| Wisconsin | $165 | $110 |
| Wyoming | $100 | $30 |
Important note: All of these fees and forms could vary by county – I listed the most expensive price point as a default. It is always important to check with your county government for exact prices.
How Much Does It Cost To Change Your Last Name After Marriage?
Changing your last name after marriage is the easiest and cheapest way to change your name. The cost is lower because you don’t have to file for proof of a new name. The courts will recognize your marriage license as proof of your name change.
One of the only costs involved here is applying for the marriage license, the price of which varies depending on the state (see the table above). It can range from $20 to $120. Some states charge more for out of state couples, and others waive the fee if marriage preparatory classes have been taken.
For a convenient way to keep everything together, I recommend the Newly Named Name Change Kit (Affiliate link to Amazon). This kit provides all of the necessary forms and information and is applicable in all fifty states.
Ordering certified copies of your marriage license is relatively inexpensive and easily done through your county clerk’s office. If you order two or more copies, you will be able to quicken the process of changing the rest of your official documents to your new name.
How Much Does It Cost To Change Back to Your Maiden Name?
The cost of changing back to your maiden name depends on your state’s divorce laws. With a divorce decree or modified divorce decree there are no extra costs. The only costs associated with changing your name would be for updating official documents, such as passports or driver’s licenses.
A divorce decree covers the possibility of a return to a maiden name. The decree is the final step in the divorce process and delineates the legal details of post-separation life. It is relatively easy to ensure the possibility of a name change is in the decree by talking to your lawyer about it during the process.
Some states include name change clauses in divorce decrees by default, and others allow you to create a court motion after the case has been closed. If this is the case, you can petition for a modification to the completed decree (usually at no additional cost).
However, if your divorce decree does not cover name change, your state does not allow an addition to the divorce decree, or if you are reverting to your maiden name without a divorce, it will be the same process (and cost) as a regular legal name change. The table above gives details on how much a typical legal name change costs per state.
What Makes Up the Cost of Changing Your Name?
The cost of changing your name usually consists of a few separate fees, accompanied by forms and appointments. The most expensive part is getting the legal proof of your new name, whether through a court case, divorce, or marriage license. Smaller fees are for making your legal name official on all of your documents.
These other, smaller fees include:
- Obtaining certified copies of your legal name change from your local court
- Publishing a notice in the newspaper announcing your new name(required in some states)
- Changing your driver’s license to your new legal name
- Applying for a passport or government identification with your new legal name
- If needed, hiring an attorney to assist with the legal process of changing your name
These costs also vary by state but are generally relatively inexpensive. It is advisable to get these done as soon as possible after your official name change, so your government records match the identification cards you use in everyday life.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are changing your name due to marriage, divorce, identity, or personal reasons, you will have to pay fees and go through the local court system. However, once the hassle is over, you will be able to live life with a new first, middle, or last name of your choosing.