Updated May 2026
How to Change Your Name in Rhode Island (2026 Cost + Steps)
The cost of a legal name change in Rhode Island is $150, which includes a $120 court filing fee, and $30 for certified copies of the court order.
Court filing fee: $120 · 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 | $182 | ~2 weeks | No |
| After Divorce | $182 | ~2 weeks | No |
| Court Order (Adult) | $302 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Child Name Change | $352 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Gender Marker Change | $302 | ~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 Rhode Island
Rhode Island Family Court filing fees for name changes run $120-$165. Rhode Island routes name change petitions through the Family Court rather than Superior Court, which is somewhat unusual. After-marriage name changes in Rhode Island use your marriage certificate directly without any court involvement, keeping costs minimal for newlyweds.
Rhode Island does not require newspaper publication for standard adult name changes, simplifying the process. You file your petition at the Rhode Island Family Court - there is one main Family Court location at 1 Dorrance Plaza in Providence, with a satellite courthouse in Kent County. Rhode Island's small geographic size means that accessing the courthouse is straightforward for most residents.
Rhode Island has a compact court system given its small size. The Family Court clerk's office is generally accessible and responsive, and processing times tend to be shorter than in larger states. Rhode Island also has self-help resources available at the courthouse and online through the Rhode Island Judiciary website.
The Rhode Island DMV charges $26.50 for a corrected Rhode Island driver's license with a name change. Visit the Rhode Island DMV at 600 New London Ave, Cranston (the primary DMV location) or satellite offices with your court order or marriage certificate, current Rhode Island license, and proof of SSA update. Rhode Island DMV requires appointment scheduling for name change transactions.
Rhode Island divorce decrees can include name restoration clauses. Rhode Island Family Court handles both divorce and name change proceedings, making it easy to include name restoration in your original divorce decree and avoid a separate petition later.
Key Rhode Island links: Rhode Island Courts (courts.ri.gov), Rhode Island DMV (dmv.ri.gov), Rhode Island Legal Services (rils.org) for free legal assistance for qualifying Rhode Island residents.
Rhode Island name change fees at a glance
| Court filing fee | $120 |
| Certified copies (3 × $10 each) | $30 |
| Newspaper publication(not required) | N/A |
| Fingerprinting / background check(not required) | N/A |
| Driver's license / State ID | $22 |
| Processing time | ~4 weeks |
| Fee waiver available | In forma pauperis |
Common reasons in Rhode Island
Name Change Guides for Rhode Island
FAQ: Rhode Island name changes
- How much does it cost to change your name in Rhode Island?
- Court filing fees in Rhode Island start around $120 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 Rhode Island?
- Many Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island?
- Most standard adult name change petitions in Rhode Island do not require newspaper publication, but a judge can still impose notice requirements in some cases.
- Can I change my name for free in Rhode Island?
- You may qualify for a reduced or waived court filing fee in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island?
- Commonly: a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; government-issued photo ID; proof of Rhode Island residency for court filings; and Social Security verification before DMV updates.
- How do I change my name after marriage in Rhode Island?
- If you take your spouse’s surname as shown on your Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island, you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. Rhode Island 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