Updated May 2026
How to Change Your Name in Connecticut (2026 Cost + Steps)
The cost of a legal name change in Connecticut is $325, which includes a $250 court filing fee, and $75 for certified copies of the court order.
Court filing fee: $250 · Processing time: ~6 weeks
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 | $235 | ~2 weeks | No |
| After Divorce | $235 | ~2 weeks | No |
| Court Order (Adult) | $485 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Child Name Change | $535 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Gender Marker Change | $485 | ~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 Connecticut
Connecticut Superior Court filing fees for name changes run $225-$275 in most judicial districts. After-marriage name changes in Connecticut use your marriage certificate directly without any court involvement, keeping costs minimal for those changing their name after marriage.
Connecticut does not require newspaper publication for standard adult name changes, making the process more straightforward than many northeastern states. You file your petition at the Superior Court in your judicial district. Connecticut has judicial districts rather than counties, so check the Connecticut Judicial Branch website for the correct filing location for your town.
Connecticut has progressive name change laws - the state allows gender marker changes on state IDs and driver's licenses with a self-certification form and no medical documentation required since 2019. You can combine a name change petition with a gender marker change in a single court filing.
The Connecticut DMV charges $30 for a corrected driver's license with a name change. Visit any Connecticut DMV office or use the online portal (portal.ct.gov/DMV) for some transactions. You'll need your court order or marriage certificate, current Connecticut license, and proof of SSA update.
Connecticut divorce decrees routinely include name restoration provisions. Connecticut's standard divorce forms include a section for name restoration - ensure it's completed before your decree is finalized if you want to restore your name, as an amended decree later costs additional filing fees.
Key Connecticut links: Connecticut Judicial Branch self-help (jud.ct.gov/selfservice), Connecticut DMV (portal.ct.gov/DMV), Connecticut Legal Services (ctlegal.org) and Greater Hartford Legal Aid (ghla.org) for fee waiver assistance for qualifying residents.
Connecticut name change fees at a glance
| Court filing fee | $250 |
| Certified copies (3 × $25 each) | $75 |
| Newspaper publication(not required) | N/A |
| Fingerprinting / background check(not required) | N/A |
| Driver's license / State ID | $30 |
| Processing time | ~6 weeks |
| Fee waiver available | Indigent status — court discretion |
Common reasons in Connecticut
Name Change Guides for Connecticut
FAQ: Connecticut name changes
- How much does it cost to change your name in Connecticut?
- Court filing fees in Connecticut start around $250 for a petition (counties may differ). Add certified copies (3 × about $25 each), optional publication ($0), DMV fees, and passport fees depending on your path.
- How long does a name change take in Connecticut?
- Many Connecticut 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 Connecticut?
- Most standard adult name change petitions in Connecticut do not require newspaper publication, but a judge can still impose notice requirements in some cases.
- Can I change my name for free in Connecticut?
- You may qualify for a reduced or waived court filing fee in Connecticut if you meet the court’s income guidelines (Indigent status — court discretion). Certified copies, DMV fees, and passports still usually cost money.
- What documents do I need to change my name in Connecticut?
- Commonly: a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; government-issued photo ID; proof of Connecticut residency for court filings; and Social Security verification before DMV updates.
- How do I change my name after marriage in Connecticut?
- If you take your spouse’s surname as shown on your Connecticut 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 Connecticut, you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. Connecticut 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