Updated May 2026
How to Change Your Name in Arkansas (2026 Cost + Steps)
The cost of a legal name change in Arkansas is $270, which includes a $165 court filing fee, $90 for newspaper publication required by Arkansas law, and $15 for certified copies of the court order.
Court filing fee: $165 · Processing time: ~5 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 | $155 | ~2 weeks | No |
| After Divorce | $155 | ~2 weeks | No |
| Court Order (Adult) | $410 | ~10 weeks | Yes |
| Child Name Change | $460 | ~10 weeks | Yes |
| Gender Marker Change | $410 | ~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 Arkansas
Arkansas Circuit Court filing fees for name changes run $125-$165 depending on the county. Pulaski County (Little Rock) is approximately $165. After-marriage name changes in Arkansas use your marriage license directly - no court petition required, making it one of the simpler and cheaper paths for newlyweds.
Arkansas requires publication for court-order name changes: you must publish notice once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in your county. Most Arkansas county legal newspapers charge $40-$100 for this publication. This requirement does not apply to post-marriage name changes using a marriage certificate.
Arkansas has a streamlined process for most petitioners - the Circuit Court clerk's office in each county typically has self-help forms available. Arkansas does require a sworn statement that you are not changing your name to defraud any person or entity, which is standard language on the petition form.
The Arkansas DMV (Department of Finance and Administration) charges $10 for a corrected driver's license with a name change - one of the lowest DMV fees in the country. Visit any Arkansas revenue office with your court order or marriage certificate and current Arkansas license.
Arkansas divorce decrees can and should include name restoration clauses. Arkansas courts are receptive to this request, and failing to include it means a separate court petition later - which adds the publication requirement and associated costs.
Key Arkansas links: Arkansas Courts (arcourts.gov), Arkansas DMV (dfa.arkansas.gov/office/driver-services), Center for Arkansas Legal Services (arlegalservices.org) and Legal Aid of Arkansas (arlegalaid.org) for free assistance for qualifying residents.
Arkansas name change fees at a glance
| Court filing fee | $165 |
| Certified copies (3 × $5 each) | $15 |
| Newspaper publication | $90 After publishing, your notice will eventually be archived at Newspapers.com |
| Fingerprinting / background check(not required) | N/A |
| Driver's license / State ID | $10 |
| Processing time | ~5 weeks |
| Fee waiver available | In forma pauperis — court discretion |
Common reasons in Arkansas
Name Change Guides for Arkansas
FAQ: Arkansas name changes
- How much does it cost to change your name in Arkansas?
- Court filing fees in Arkansas start around $165 for a petition (counties may differ). Add certified copies (3 × about $5 each), optional publication ($90), DMV fees, and passport fees depending on your path.
- How long does a name change take in Arkansas?
- Many Arkansas court petitions finish in about 5 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 Arkansas?
- Yes for many court-order adult petitions in Arkansas: newspapers typically charge about $90. Marriage-based updates using a certified marriage certificate usually skip publication.
- Can I change my name for free in Arkansas?
- You may qualify for a reduced or waived court filing fee in Arkansas if you meet the court’s income guidelines (In forma pauperis — court discretion). Certified copies, DMV fees, and passports still usually cost money.
- What documents do I need to change my name in Arkansas?
- Commonly: a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; government-issued photo ID; proof of Arkansas residency for court filings; and Social Security verification before DMV updates.
- How do I change my name after marriage in Arkansas?
- If you take your spouse’s surname as shown on your Arkansas 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 Arkansas, you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. In Arkansas, 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