Updated May 2026
How to Change Your Name in New York (2026 Cost + Steps)
The cost of a legal name change in New York is $105, which includes a $65 court filing fee, and $40 for certified copies of the court order.
Court filing fee: $65 · 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 | $187 | ~2 weeks | No |
| After Divorce | $187 | ~2 weeks | No |
| Court Order (Adult) | $252 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Child Name Change | $302 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Gender Marker Change | $252 | ~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 New York
New York State has a two-tier name change process: New York City residents use the NYC Civil Court system while upstate residents file in their local Supreme Court. NYC filing fees run $65 (Civil Court) making it one of the more affordable major cities. Upstate county Supreme Court fees range from $150-$210.
The most important New York-specific requirement: publication. New York requires you to publish notice of your name change petition in two newspapers - one daily and one weekly - in the county where you live. NYC has designated publications for this, and costs run $75-$150 total. Upstate counties vary widely; some rural county publications charge less. This publication requirement applies to court-order petitions but NOT to post-marriage name changes via marriage certificate.
New York City has a streamlined process through the NYC Civil Court's name change help center at 111 Centre Street, Manhattan. The court offers assistance forms and a self-help center open weekdays. Processing times are typically 6-8 weeks from filing to court order.
New York DMV requires a name change within 10 days of receiving your court order or marriage certificate - one of the shorter windows of any state. The fee for a new New York driver's license is $17.50. Visit any DMV office or use the online portal (dmv.ny.gov) with your certified document.
New York is progressive on gender marker changes - you can change your gender marker on New York State ID with self-certification and no medical documentation required since 2019.
Key New York links: NY Courts self-help (nycourts.gov/courthelp), NYC Civil Court (nycivil.courts.state.ny.us), NY DMV (dmv.ny.gov), Legal Aid Society (legalaidnyc.org) for free assistance.
New York name change fees at a glance
| Court filing fee | $65 |
| Certified copies (4 × $10 each) | $40 |
| Newspaper publication(not required) | N/A |
| Fingerprinting / background check(not required) | N/A |
| Driver's license / State ID | $17 |
| Processing time | ~6 weeks |
| Fee waiver available | At or below 125% federal poverty level |
Common reasons in New York
Name Change Guides for New York
FAQ: New York name changes
- How much does it cost to change your name in New York?
- Court filing fees in New York start around $65 for a petition (counties may differ). Add certified copies (4 × about $10 each), optional publication ($0), DMV fees, and passport fees depending on your path.
- How long does a name change take in New York?
- Many New York 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 New York?
- Most standard adult name change petitions in New York do not require newspaper publication, but a judge can still impose notice requirements in some cases.
- Can I change my name for free in New York?
- You may qualify for a reduced or waived court filing fee in New York 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 New York?
- Commonly: a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; government-issued photo ID; proof of New York residency for court filings; and Social Security verification before DMV updates.
- How do I change my name after marriage in New York?
- If you take your spouse’s surname as shown on your New York 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 New York, you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. New York 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