Updated May 2026
How to Change Your Name in Tennessee (2026 Cost + Steps)
The cost of a legal name change in Tennessee is $300, which includes a $185 court filing fee, $100 for newspaper publication required by Tennessee law, and $15 for certified copies of the court order.
Court filing fee: $185 · 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 | $172 | ~2 weeks | No |
| After Divorce | $172 | ~2 weeks | No |
| Court Order (Adult) | $457 | ~10 weeks | Yes |
| Child Name Change | $507 | ~10 weeks | Yes |
| Gender Marker Change | $457 | ~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 Tennessee
Tennessee Circuit or Chancery Court filing fees for name changes run $175-$225 depending on the county. Davidson County (Nashville) and Shelby County (Memphis) run approximately $200. After-marriage name changes in Tennessee use your marriage certificate directly - no court petition required - which is the most affordable and common path.
Tennessee does not require newspaper publication for standard adult name changes, simplifying the process. You file your petition in either the Circuit or Chancery Court of the county where you reside, depending on which court handles name changes in your county. Tennessee courts have self-help resources available, and most clerk of court offices can advise on the correct filing court for your county.
Tennessee has a relatively standard name change process. The court reviews your petition for any fraud indicators and conducts a background check as part of the standard review. Tennessee courts are generally efficient, with processing times typically running 4-8 weeks from filing to receiving your court order.
The Tennessee DMV (Department of Safety and Homeland Security) charges $27.50 for a corrected Tennessee driver's license with a name change. Visit any Tennessee DMV driver services center with your court order or marriage certificate, current Tennessee license, and proof of SSA update. Tennessee has driver services centers in most counties with online appointment scheduling available.
Tennessee divorce decrees can include name restoration clauses. Tennessee courts are receptive to this request during divorce proceedings. Including name restoration in your original decree is strongly recommended to avoid a separate court petition with filing fees later.
Key Tennessee links: Tennessee Courts (tncourts.gov), Tennessee DMV (tn.gov/safety/driver-services), Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee (las.org) and West Tennessee Legal Services (wtls.org) for free assistance.
Tennessee name change fees at a glance
| Court filing fee | $185 |
| Certified copies (3 × $5 each) | $15 |
| 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 | $27 |
| Processing time | ~8 weeks |
| Fee waiver available | In forma pauperis |
Common reasons in Tennessee
Name Change Guides for Tennessee
FAQ: Tennessee name changes
- How much does it cost to change your name in Tennessee?
- Court filing fees in Tennessee start around $185 for a petition (counties may differ). Add certified copies (3 × about $5 each), optional publication ($100), DMV fees, and passport fees depending on your path.
- How long does a name change take in Tennessee?
- Many Tennessee 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 Tennessee?
- Yes for many court-order adult petitions in Tennessee: newspapers typically charge about $100. Marriage-based updates using a certified marriage certificate usually skip publication.
- Can I change my name for free in Tennessee?
- You may qualify for a reduced or waived court filing fee in Tennessee 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 Tennessee?
- Commonly: a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; government-issued photo ID; proof of Tennessee residency for court filings; and Social Security verification before DMV updates.
- How do I change my name after marriage in Tennessee?
- If you take your spouse’s surname as shown on your Tennessee 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 Tennessee, you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. In Tennessee, 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