Updated May 2026
How to Change Your Name in Idaho (2026 Cost + Steps)
The cost of a legal name change in Idaho is $281, which includes a $166 court filing fee, $100 for newspaper publication required by Idaho law, and $15 for certified copies of the court order.
Court filing fee: $166 · 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 | $170 | ~2 weeks | No |
| After Divorce | $170 | ~2 weeks | No |
| Court Order (Adult) | $436 | ~10 weeks | Yes |
| Child Name Change | $486 | ~10 weeks | Yes |
| Gender Marker Change | $436 | ~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 Idaho
Idaho District Court filing fees for name changes run $130-$175 depending on the county. After-marriage name changes in Idaho use your marriage certificate directly - no court petition needed - keeping costs to just certified copies of the certificate from your county recorder.
Idaho does not require newspaper publication for standard adult name changes, which keeps the process simple and affordable. You file your petition in the District Court of the county where you live. Idaho courts have self-help centers in most counties, and the Idaho Supreme Court's website provides downloadable name change petition forms.
Idaho has a straightforward name change process with minimal unique quirks compared to other states. The state does require a background check as part of the court review process, which is handled automatically without separate action on your part. Processing times typically run 4-8 weeks from filing to receiving your order.
The Idaho DMV charges $25 for a replacement Idaho driver's license with a name change. Visit any Idaho DMV office with your court order or marriage certificate, current Idaho license, and your updated Social Security card. Idaho allows online renewal for some transactions but name changes typically require an in-person visit.
Idaho divorce decrees can include name restoration clauses. Idaho courts are receptive to including this language in divorce decrees. If your decree doesn't include it, a separate petition is required - Idaho's reasonable filing fees make this less painful than in high-cost states.
Key Idaho links: Idaho Courts self-help (isc.idaho.gov/pages/general-public-self-help), Idaho DMV (itd.idaho.gov/dmv), Idaho Legal Aid Services (idaholegalaid.org) which covers all counties including rural regions.
Idaho name change fees at a glance
| Court filing fee | $166 |
| Certified copies (3 × $5 each) | $15 |
| 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 | $25 |
| Processing time | ~6 weeks |
| Fee waiver available | At or below 125% federal poverty level |
Common reasons in Idaho
Name Change Guides for Idaho
FAQ: Idaho name changes
- How much does it cost to change your name in Idaho?
- Court filing fees in Idaho start around $166 for a petition (counties may differ). Add certified copies (3 × about $5 each), optional publication ($100), DMV fees, and passport fees depending on your path.
- How long does a name change take in Idaho?
- Many Idaho 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 Idaho?
- Yes for many court-order adult petitions in Idaho: newspapers typically charge about $100. Marriage-based updates using a certified marriage certificate usually skip publication.
- Can I change my name for free in Idaho?
- You may qualify for a reduced or waived court filing fee in Idaho if you meet the court’s income guidelines (At or below 125% federal poverty level). Certified copies, DMV fees, and passports still usually cost money.
- What documents do I need to change my name in Idaho?
- Commonly: a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; government-issued photo ID; proof of Idaho residency for court filings; and Social Security verification before DMV updates.
- How do I change my name after marriage in Idaho?
- If you take your spouse’s surname as shown on your Idaho 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 Idaho, you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. In Idaho, 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