Do You Need Fingerprints for a Name Change?

    Updated May 2026 · Not legal advice

    Fingerprinting is not universal. Some states require a background check fingerprint as part of an adult court petition; many marriage-based updates skip fingerprints entirely because there is no petition.

    Official reference: FBI — background checks overview

    Do you need fingerprints for a name change?

    If your state requires fingerprinting for court petitions, you will submit cards or Livescan per court instructions and pay the posted vendor or agency fee.