Updated May 2026
How to Change Your Name in Nevada (2026 Cost + Steps)
The cost of a legal name change in Nevada is $445, which includes a $270 court filing fee, $100 for newspaper publication required by Nevada law, and $75 for certified copies of the court order.
Court filing fee: $270 · 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 | $228 | ~2 weeks | No |
| After Divorce | $228 | ~2 weeks | No |
| Court Order (Adult) | $598 | ~10 weeks | Yes |
| Child Name Change | $648 | ~10 weeks | Yes |
| Gender Marker Change | $598 | ~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 Nevada
Nevada District Court filing fees for name changes run $250-$300 depending on the county. Clark County (Las Vegas) is approximately $270 while Washoe County (Reno) is similar. After-marriage name changes in Nevada use your marriage certificate directly - no court petition required - which is especially relevant given Nevada's reputation as a destination wedding state.
Nevada requires publication for court-order name changes: you must publish notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where you live once a week for four consecutive weeks. Most Nevada county legal newspapers charge $80-$200 for this publication. This requirement does not apply to post-marriage name changes using a marriage certificate.
Nevada's large Las Vegas tourism industry creates some unique considerations - many people marry in Nevada but don't reside there. Nevada marriage certificates are accepted by all US states, federal agencies, and DMVs regardless of where you live. You don't need to file anything in Nevada to use your Nevada marriage certificate for a name change in your home state.
The Nevada DMV charges $22.25 for a corrected Nevada driver's license with a name change. Visit any Nevada DMV office with your court order or marriage certificate, current Nevada license, and proof of SSA update. Nevada DMV has offices in Las Vegas, Henderson, Reno, Carson City, and other locations throughout the state.
Nevada divorce decrees can include name restoration clauses. Nevada courts are receptive to this request, and including it in your divorce decree avoids the four-week publication requirement for a separate petition.
Key Nevada links: Nevada Courts (nvcourts.gov), Nevada DMV (dmvnv.com), Nevada Legal Services (nevadalegalservices.org) for free legal assistance for qualifying residents.
Nevada name change fees at a glance
| Court filing fee | $270 |
| Certified copies (3 × $25 each) | $75 |
| 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 | $23 |
| Processing time | ~8 weeks |
| Fee waiver available | At or below 125% federal poverty level |
Common reasons in Nevada
Name Change Guides for Nevada
FAQ: Nevada name changes
- How much does it cost to change your name in Nevada?
- Court filing fees in Nevada start around $270 for a petition (counties may differ). Add certified copies (3 × about $25 each), optional publication ($100), DMV fees, and passport fees depending on your path.
- How long does a name change take in Nevada?
- Many Nevada 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 Nevada?
- Yes for many court-order adult petitions in Nevada: newspapers typically charge about $100. Marriage-based updates using a certified marriage certificate usually skip publication.
- Can I change my name for free in Nevada?
- You may qualify for a reduced or waived court filing fee in Nevada 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 Nevada?
- Commonly: a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; government-issued photo ID; proof of Nevada residency for court filings; and Social Security verification before DMV updates.
- How do I change my name after marriage in Nevada?
- If you take your spouse’s surname as shown on your Nevada 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 Nevada, you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. Nevada 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