Basic steps to change a name

To start the process, you file forms with the court

You pay a $435-$450 filing fee. If you can’t afford the fee, you can ask the court to waive it. The clerk will give you a date when a judge will make a decision.

A judge will make a decision in about 2 to 3 months, after you complete a few more steps.

Before a judge can decide, you must have the forms published in a newspaper for one month. This means that the request shows up in a legal notice section of a paper. There’s a fee to publish in a newspaper. 

If your name change is to match your gender identity or you're also asking for a gender recognition order, you don't need to publish. Learn more 

If you’re asking to change your child’s name, your child's other parent may need to get a copy of your request. This is called serving court papers.

After you get the court order, you will use it to have your identity documents updated.

If you need a copy of a court order, contact the court where your case was filed.

INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY: The information is an overview and is intended for informational purposes only. For more information visit https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/name-change