Updated May 2026
How to Change Your Name in Kansas (2026 Cost + Steps)
The cost of a legal name change in Kansas is $235, which includes a $175 court filing fee, and $60 for certified copies of the court order.
Court filing fee: $175 · Processing time: ~4 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 | $210 | ~2 weeks | No |
| After Divorce | $210 | ~2 weeks | No |
| Court Order (Adult) | $385 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Child Name Change | $435 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Gender Marker Change | $385 | ~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 Kansas
Kansas District Court filing fees for name changes run $165-$195 depending on the county. Johnson County (Kansas City area) and Sedgwick County (Wichita) are both around $195. After-marriage name changes in Kansas use your marriage certificate directly - no court petition required - significantly reducing cost and complexity for newlyweds.
Kansas does not require newspaper publication for standard adult name changes, keeping the process clean and affordable. You file your petition in the District Court of the county where you live. Kansas courts have self-help resources available online, and the Kansas Judicial Branch website provides form packets for name change petitions.
Kansas has a relatively standard name change process with no unusual state-specific requirements for most petitioners. The court conducts a background check as part of the review process. Name changes for individuals on the sex offender registry require additional court review and are frequently denied under Kansas law.
The Kansas DMV (Division of Vehicles) charges $27.50 for a corrected Kansas driver's license with a name change. Visit any Kansas DMV office with your court order or marriage certificate, current Kansas license, and proof of SSA update. Kansas DMV offices are located in most county seats.
Kansas divorce decrees routinely include name restoration clauses. Kansas courts are receptive to this request, and Kansas's standard divorce forms include a section specifically for name restoration. Including this before the decree is finalized avoids a separate court petition.
Key Kansas links: Kansas Courts (kscourts.org), Kansas DMV (ksrevenue.gov/dovindex.html), Kansas Legal Services (kansaslegalservices.org) which provides statewide free legal assistance including name change guidance.
Kansas name change fees at a glance
| Court filing fee | $175 |
| Certified copies (3 × $20 each) | $60 |
| Newspaper publication(not required) | N/A |
| Fingerprinting / background check(not required) | N/A |
| Driver's license / State ID | $20 |
| Processing time | ~4 weeks |
| Fee waiver available | Indigent — court discretion |
Common reasons in Kansas
Name Change Guides for Kansas
FAQ: Kansas name changes
- How much does it cost to change your name in Kansas?
- Court filing fees in Kansas start around $175 for a petition (counties may differ). Add certified copies (3 × about $20 each), optional publication ($0), DMV fees, and passport fees depending on your path.
- How long does a name change take in Kansas?
- Many Kansas court petitions finish in about 4 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 Kansas?
- Most standard adult name change petitions in Kansas do not require newspaper publication, but a judge can still impose notice requirements in some cases.
- Can I change my name for free in Kansas?
- You may qualify for a reduced or waived court filing fee in Kansas if you meet the court’s income guidelines (Indigent — court discretion). Certified copies, DMV fees, and passports still usually cost money.
- What documents do I need to change my name in Kansas?
- Commonly: a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; government-issued photo ID; proof of Kansas residency for court filings; and Social Security verification before DMV updates.
- How do I change my name after marriage in Kansas?
- If you take your spouse’s surname as shown on your Kansas 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 Kansas, you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. Kansas 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