Updated May 2026
How to Change Your Name in Texas (2026 Cost + Steps)
The cost of a legal name change in Texas is $303, which includes a $300 court filing fee, and $3 for certified copies of the court order. Fingerprinting or background checks may add $40 for petitions that require them.
Court filing fee: $300 · Processing time: ~8 weeks · Fingerprinting 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 | $158 | ~2 weeks | No |
| After Divorce | $158 | ~2 weeks | No |
| Court Order (Adult) | $498 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Child Name Change | $548 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Gender Marker Change | $498 | ~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 Texas
Texas name change costs vary by county but are generally lower than the national average - most counties charge $150-$350 for a court-order petition filing fee. After marriage, the court order isn't required at all; your Texas marriage certificate handles the name change for Social Security, the DMV, and most agencies.
The Texas-specific process for court-order name changes: file your petition in the District Court of the county where you live. Texas does NOT have a publication requirement for adult name changes (unlike California or Louisiana), which keeps the process simpler and cheaper. You will have a brief hearing before a judge, which typically lasts under 10 minutes.
One Texas quirk: name changes for individuals required to register as sex offenders require approval from the Texas Department of Public Safety in addition to the court, and the court may deny the petition. For everyone else, approval is routine if there's no intent to defraud.
Texas ID and driver's license updates go through the Texas DPS (dps.texas.gov). The fee for a new Texas driver's license with a name change is $33. You'll need your court order or marriage certificate plus current ID.
For divorce-related name restorations in Texas, the name change can be included directly in your divorce decree - just tell your attorney to include it, or ask the judge during the divorce hearing. This avoids filing a separate petition entirely.
Key Texas links: Texas Courts (txcourts.gov), Texas DPS Driver License division (dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license), Texas Legal Services Center (tlsc.org) for fee waivers. Most Texas county district courts have self-help centers with free form assistance.
Texas name change fees at a glance
| Court filing fee | $300 |
| Certified copies (3 × $1 each) | $3 |
| Newspaper publication(not required) | N/A |
| Fingerprinting / background check | $40 |
| Driver's license / State ID | $25 |
| Processing time | ~8 weeks |
| Fee waiver available | At or below 125% federal poverty level or receives government assistance |
Common reasons in Texas
Name Change Guides for Texas
FAQ: Texas name changes
- How much does it cost to change your name in Texas?
- Court filing fees in Texas start around $300 for a petition (counties may differ). Add certified copies (3 × about $1 each), optional publication ($0), DMV fees, and passport fees depending on your path.
- How long does a name change take in Texas?
- Many Texas 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 Texas?
- Most standard adult name change petitions in Texas do not require newspaper publication, but a judge can still impose notice requirements in some cases.
- Can I change my name for free in Texas?
- You may qualify for a reduced or waived court filing fee in Texas if you meet the court’s income guidelines (At or below 125% federal poverty level or receives government assistance). Certified copies, DMV fees, and passports still usually cost money.
- What documents do I need to change my name in Texas?
- Commonly: a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; government-issued photo ID; proof of Texas residency for court filings; and Social Security verification before DMV updates.
- How do I change my name after marriage in Texas?
- If you take your spouse’s surname as shown on your Texas 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 Texas, you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. In Texas, 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