Updated May 2026
How to Change Your Name in California (2026 Cost + Steps)
The cost of a legal name change in California is $745, which includes a $435 court filing fee, $150 for newspaper publication required by California law, and $160 for certified copies of the court order.
Court filing fee: $435 · Processing time: ~8 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 | $328 | ~2 weeks | No |
| After Divorce | $328 | ~2 weeks | No |
| Court Order (Adult) | $913 | ~10 weeks | Yes |
| Child Name Change | $963 | ~10 weeks | Yes |
| Gender Marker Change | $913 | ~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 California
California has one of the most expensive name change processes in the US - court filing fees alone run $435-$480 depending on your county. Los Angeles Superior Court charges $435, while some Bay Area counties run higher. If you're changing your name after marriage, you can skip the court petition entirely by using your marriage certificate, which dramatically reduces the process to just updating your documents.
The biggest California-specific quirk: many counties require you to publish a notice of your name change petition in a local newspaper for four consecutive weeks before your court date. This publication requirement adds $50-$200 to your total cost depending on the newspaper. After marriage name changes do NOT require publication - this only applies to standalone court-order petitions.
File your petition at the Superior Court in the county where you live. After your hearing, you'll receive a court order - order at least 6 certified copies on the spot ($25 each). The Clerk's office at most California courthouses accepts walk-ins but waits can be long; the Los Angeles courthouse recommends arriving early.
California is one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly states for gender marker name changes. You can request a court-ordered gender marker change at the same time as your name change, and California law allows self-certification without requiring surgery or physician letters.
Key California links: Los Angeles Superior Court (lacourt.org), San Francisco Superior Court (sfsuperiorcourt.org), California Courts self-help center (selfhelp.courts.ca.gov). Most counties have fee waiver programs (Form FW-001) if your income is below 125% of the federal poverty level.
California name change fees at a glance
| Court filing fee | $435 |
| Certified copies (4 × $40 each) | $160 |
| Newspaper publication | $150 After publishing, your notice will eventually be archived at Newspapers.com |
| Fingerprinting / background check(not required) | N/A |
| Driver's license / State ID | $38 |
| Processing time | ~8 weeks |
| Fee waiver available | At or below 125% federal poverty level or receiving public benefits |
Common reasons in California
Name Change Guides for California
FAQ: California name changes
- How much does it cost to change your name in California?
- Court filing fees in California start around $435 for a petition (counties may differ). Add certified copies (4 × about $40 each), optional publication ($150), DMV fees, and passport fees depending on your path.
- How long does a name change take in California?
- Many California court petitions finish in about 8 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 California?
- Yes for many court-order adult petitions in California: newspapers typically charge about $150. Marriage-based updates using a certified marriage certificate usually skip publication.
- Can I change my name for free in California?
- You may qualify for a reduced or waived court filing fee in California if you meet the court’s income guidelines (At or below 125% federal poverty level or receiving public benefits). Certified copies, DMV fees, and passports still usually cost money.
- What documents do I need to change my name in California?
- Commonly: a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; government-issued photo ID; proof of California residency for court filings; and Social Security verification before DMV updates.
- How do I change my name after marriage in California?
- If you take your spouse’s surname as shown on your California 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 California, you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. California offers online voter registration paths for many voters, though some counties still require mail or an in-person visit for certain updates. 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