Updated May 2026
How to Change Your Name in North Dakota (2026 Cost + Steps)
The cost of a legal name change in North Dakota is $110, which includes a $80 court filing fee, and $30 for certified copies of the court order.
Court filing fee: $80 · Processing time: ~3 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 | $175 | ~2 weeks | No |
| After Divorce | $175 | ~2 weeks | No |
| Court Order (Adult) | $255 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Child Name Change | $305 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Gender Marker Change | $255 | ~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 North Dakota
North Dakota District Court filing fees for name changes run $75-$100 depending on the county - very affordable by national standards. After-marriage name changes in North Dakota use your marriage certificate directly without any court involvement, keeping costs to just certified copies of the certificate.
North Dakota does not require newspaper publication for standard adult name changes, which combined with its low filing fees makes North Dakota's total name change cost among the lowest in the nation. You file your petition in the District Court of the county where you reside. North Dakota has 53 counties, and district courts typically cover multiple counties in less-populated areas of the state.
North Dakota has a straightforward and accessible name change process with no unusual state-specific quirks. The court reviews petitions for any fraud indicators and conducts a standard review. Processing times are typically shorter than the national average given North Dakota's smaller population and less-congested court system.
The North Dakota DOT (Department of Transportation) charges $15 for a corrected North Dakota driver's license with a name change - one of the lowest DMV fees in the country. Visit any ND DOT driver's license office with your court order or marriage certificate, current North Dakota license, and proof of SSA update.
North Dakota divorce decrees routinely include name restoration clauses. North Dakota courts are receptive to this request during dissolution proceedings. Including this in your original decree avoids a separate District Court petition.
Key North Dakota links: North Dakota Courts (ndcourts.gov), North Dakota DOT (dot.nd.gov/divisions/mvoperations), Legal Services of North Dakota (legalassist.org) which provides free legal services throughout the state including remote communities.
North Dakota name change fees at a glance
| Court filing fee | $80 |
| Certified copies (3 × $10 each) | $30 |
| Newspaper publication(not required) | N/A |
| Fingerprinting / background check(not required) | N/A |
| Driver's license / State ID | $15 |
| Processing time | ~3 weeks |
| Fee waiver available | In forma pauperis |
Common reasons in North Dakota
Name Change Guides for North Dakota
FAQ: North Dakota name changes
- How much does it cost to change your name in North Dakota?
- Court filing fees in North Dakota start around $80 for a petition (counties may differ). Add certified copies (3 × about $10 each), optional publication ($0), DMV fees, and passport fees depending on your path.
- How long does a name change take in North Dakota?
- Many North Dakota court petitions finish in about 3 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 North Dakota?
- Most standard adult name change petitions in North Dakota do not require newspaper publication, but a judge can still impose notice requirements in some cases.
- Can I change my name for free in North Dakota?
- You may qualify for a reduced or waived court filing fee in North Dakota if you meet the court’s income guidelines (In forma pauperis). Certified copies, DMV fees, and passports still usually cost money.
- What documents do I need to change my name in North Dakota?
- Commonly: a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; government-issued photo ID; proof of North Dakota residency for court filings; and Social Security verification before DMV updates.
- How do I change my name after marriage in North Dakota?
- If you take your spouse’s surname as shown on your North Dakota 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 North Dakota, you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. In North Dakota, 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