Q: How much does it cost to change my name?

A: In most cases, you have to pay a fee when you ask the court to change your name. People with very low incomes can get a "fee waiver' and do not have to pay the court fee. Click here to find out more about fee waivers.



On top of the court fee, you may have to pay to publish notice of the hearing on your petition (the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name) in a newspaper. Publishing the name change notice in a local newspaper is required in most name change cases.

Q: Why do I have to publish my Order to Show Cause for Change of Name in the newspaper?

A: The law requires that you publish the Order to Show Cause form showing you are asking to change your name, and the date of your court hearing, to help prevent fraud by letting people know you are changing your name, and giving them a chance to object. Normally no one objects, but the legal requirement means you cannot get a court order to change your name without publishing notice. You will NOT need to publish your Order to Show Cause if: You are changing your name to conform to your gender identity. If so, make sure to check box 6 on page 1 of Form NC-100. You can find out more on item 7 on page 2 of Form NC-100. You will NOT need to publish your Order to Show Cause if: Or You are changing your name and you are in the State Witness Program or you are in the address confidentiality program and are changing your name to avoid domestic violence or stalking or are a victim of sexual assault (or asking for a name change on behalf of a victim of sexual assault). If this is your case, make sure you explain in the Attachment to Petition for Change of Name (Form NC-110 ). You can find out more on item 7 on page 2 of Form NC-100 and on the Information Sheet for Name Change Proceedings Under Address Confidentiality Program (Safe at Home) (Form NC-400-INFO).

Q: Why would a judge not let me change my name?

A: The main reasons why a judge would not agree to change your name are: If the judge finds that you are changing your name to commit fraud, or

If the judge finds that you are changing your name to hide from the law or the police or for some other illegal reason.

Q: What if I am a victim of domestic violence and I do not want my abuser to find out my new name?

A: There are ways for your new name to remain confidential and not appear on the court records. You can register with the Safe at Home program to keep the information confidential. Ask your local domestic violence shelter, victim services unit in the local District Attorney’s Office, or family law facilitator for help. If you are in the address confidentiality program, and you are changing your name to avoid domestic violence or stalking or are a victim of sexual assault (or asking for a name change on behalf of a victim of sexual assault), you will not have to publish the Order to Show Cause in a newspaper. If this is your case, make sure you explain in the Attachment to Petition for Change of Name (Form NC-110 ). You can find out more on item 7 on page 2 of





Click here for help finding your local domestic violence agency.



for more information on domestic violence and how to protect yourself.

If you are in the address confidentiality program, and you are changing your name to avoid domestic violence or stalking or are a victim of sexual assault (or asking for a name change on behalf of a victim of sexual assault), you will not have to publish the Order to Show Cause in a newspaper. If this is your case, make sure you explain in the Attachment to Petition for Change of Name). You can find out more on item 7 on page 2 of Form NC-100 and on the Information Sheet for Name Change Proceedings Under Address Confidentiality Program (Safe at Home) ( Form NC-400-INFO ).for help finding your local domestic violence agency. Click here for more information on domestic violence and how to protect yourself.

Q: What if I am divorced, but I want to change my name to something different from my maiden name or a prior married name that I once used?

A: You have to file a regular change of name case in your local superior court. Click here for instructions.

Q: I am becoming a U.S. citizen. Can I change my name during this process?

A: It depends. Click here for an information guide from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and look for the most recent rules on name changes during the naturalization process.



If you have already become a U.S. citizen and you want to change your name, you will have to file a case in your local court. Click here for more information.

Q: I am getting married and want to change my last name to my spouse’s last name. Do I need to go to court?

A: It depends. Go to your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office and your social security office and ask whether you can change the name on your driver’s license and social security card to your spouse’s last name without a court order. Sometimes, they will change your name if you show them your marriage license or certificate and you will not have to go to court. But it is possible they will tell you to get a court order, so be prepared for that.

Q: Can I just change my name by using my new name (by the "usage method"), without going to court?

A: In California, you have the common law right to change your name by the "usage method." This means that you simply pick a new name and start using it consistently in all parts of your life. There are exceptions to changing your name by the "usage method" -- it cannot be used by people who are in state prison, on probation, on parole, or been a convicted sex offender. And it cannot be used to change a minor's name. BUT, government regulations created to fight against identity theft, fraud and terrorism are making it almost impossible to have a new name without official documentation. So, practically speaking, government agencies like the DMV or Social Security Administration and most institutions (like banks) require a court order to change your name. And you will also need a court order to get a new birth certificate or a passport in your new name. BUT, government regulations created to fight against identity theft, fraud and terrorism are making it almost impossible to have a new name without official documentation. So, practically speaking, government agencies like the DMV or Social Security Administration and most institutions (like banks) require a court order to change your name. And you will also need a court order to get a new birth certificate or a passport in your new name. For this reason, it is much more common to file for a court order changing your name. With that court order, called a Decree, you will be able to change your government-issued identifications and prove to any institution that your new name is your legal name. Click for instructions to get a court order changing your name.

Q: What should I do if I want to change my name AND my gender at the same time?

A: If you want to legally change your name AND your gender, there is a separate court process and forms for doing that. Read the information and instructions to change your name and gender. If you just want to change your name for now and intend to change your gender later, continue with the instructions in the section for changing your name. Later on, if you want to change your gender, red the information and instructions to change your gender only.

Q: What should I do if I want to change my gender only?