Updated May 2026
How to Change Your Name in Alabama (2026 Cost + Steps)
The cost of a legal name change in Alabama is $147, which includes a $35 court filing fee, $100 for newspaper publication required by Alabama law, and $12 for certified copies of the court order.
Court filing fee: $35 · Processing time: ~6 weeks · Publication required
Estimated costs by reason
Totals include Social Security (free), driver’s license, and adult passport selections—matching the calculator defaults.
| Reason | Estimated total cost | Timeline | Publication required |
|---|---|---|---|
| After Marriage | $178 | ~2 weeks | No |
| After Divorce | $178 | ~2 weeks | No |
| Court Order (Adult) | $313 | ~10 weeks | Yes |
| Child Name Change | $363 | ~10 weeks | Yes |
| Gender Marker Change | $313 | ~10 weeks | Sealed |
Which state are you in?
Why are you changing your name?
Which documents do you need to update?
How to Change Your Name in Alabama
Alabama is one of the cheapest states in the country for a legal name change - Circuit Court filing fees run just $35-$55 depending on the county. After-marriage name changes using your Alabama marriage certificate require no court petition at all, keeping total costs to just a few certified copies of your certificate ($5-$15 each from the county probate court).
Alabama does not require newspaper publication for standard adult name changes, which significantly simplifies the process compared to states like California or New York. You file your petition in the Circuit Court of the county where you live, attend a brief hearing, and receive your court order - typically within 4-6 weeks of filing.
Alabama has a specific provision that name changes can be denied if the petitioner has a felony conviction involving moral turpitude. The court reviews your background as part of the standard process. For most petitioners, approval is routine.
The Alabama DMV (ALEA - Alabama Law Enforcement Agency) charges $36 for a replacement driver's license with a name change. Visit any ALEA Driver License Office with your court order or marriage certificate, current Alabama license, and updated Social Security card.
Alabama divorce decrees can include name restoration clauses - highly recommended to include this before the decree is finalized to avoid a separate petition. Alabama probate courts handle marriage certificate certified copies and are typically faster than going through state vital records.
Key Alabama links: Alabama Courts (alacourt.gov), Alabama ALEA driver's licenses (alea.gov/driver-license), Alabama Legal Services (alabamalegalservices.org) for fee waiver assistance for qualifying residents.
Alabama name change fees at a glance
| Court filing fee | $35 |
| Certified copies (4 × $3 each) | $12 |
| Newspaper publication | $100 After publishing, your notice will eventually be archived at Newspapers.com |
| Fingerprinting / background check(not required) | N/A |
| Driver's license / State ID | $36 |
| Processing time | ~6 weeks |
| Fee waiver available | Federal poverty guidelines |
Common reasons in Alabama
Name Change Guides for Alabama
FAQ: Alabama name changes
- How much does it cost to change your name in Alabama?
- Court filing fees in Alabama start around $35 for a petition (counties may differ). Add certified copies (4 × about $3 each), optional publication ($100), DMV fees, and passport fees depending on your path.
- How long does a name change take in Alabama?
- Many Alabama court petitions finish in about 6 weeks, but crowded dockets, publication, or fingerprinting can add time. After-marriage updates using a certificate are often faster because they skip the petition.
- Do I need to publish my name change in a newspaper in Alabama?
- Yes for many court-order adult petitions in Alabama: newspapers typically charge about $100. Marriage-based updates using a certified marriage certificate usually skip publication.
- Can I change my name for free in Alabama?
- You may qualify for a reduced or waived court filing fee in Alabama if you meet the court’s income guidelines (Federal poverty guidelines). Certified copies, DMV fees, and passports still usually cost money.
- What documents do I need to change my name in Alabama?
- Commonly: a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; government-issued photo ID; proof of Alabama residency for court filings; and Social Security verification before DMV updates.
- How do I change my name after marriage in Alabama?
- If you take your spouse’s surname as shown on your Alabama marriage certificate, you typically update Social Security first, then your driver’s license, then banks and payroll. Hyphenated or new invented names may still require a court petition—check local court rules.
Voter Registration After Your Name Change
After legally changing your name in Alabama, you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. In Alabama, voter registration updates are commonly handled by mail or in person with your county or municipal election office—confirm the fastest option for your address. If your registration still shows an old name close to an election, you may face additional checks at the polling place. See the full 50-state voter registration guide for deadlines, typical documents, and official Vote.gov links.
Related: SAVE Act & name change overview