North Carolina Name Change Court Order (Adult) — Cost & Steps (2026)
Legally changing your name to any name of your choice as an adult — no marriage or divorce required
← Back to North Carolina overview1
Which state are you in?
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Why are you changing your name?
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Which documents do you need to update?
You can legally be who you are. The process takes a few months but it's worth it.
What you'll need
- Must file a petition with your local court
- In some states: criminal background check or publication in a newspaper required
- Most states require you to have lived there for at least 6 months
- Must not be changing name to avoid debts, defraud creditors, or evade law enforcement
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using the wrong court (circuit vs. district vs. probate varies by state)
- Not bringing proper ID to the hearing
- Not ordering enough certified copies of the court order
- States with publication requirements: not publishing in the correct newspaper
Need the court petition form? LawDepot has state-specific name change affidavits and petition forms — free trial available
Pro tips
- Ask the court clerk exactly which forms to use — there are sometimes multiple versions
- Order 5–6 certified copies right away
- In states requiring publication, call the newspaper before filing to get a cost estimate