Updated May 2026
How to Change Your Name in Utah (2026 Cost + Steps)
The cost of a legal name change in Utah is $372, which includes a $360 court filing fee, and $12 for certified copies of the court order.
Court filing fee: $360 · 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 | $167 | ~2 weeks | No |
| After Divorce | $167 | ~2 weeks | No |
| Court Order (Adult) | $527 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Child Name Change | $577 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Gender Marker Change | $527 | ~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 Utah
Utah District Court filing fees for name changes run $320-$375 - among the higher costs in the Mountain West. Salt Lake County runs approximately $360. After-marriage name changes in Utah use your marriage certificate directly - no court order required - which is the most affordable path and avoids the higher court filing fees entirely.
Utah does not require newspaper publication for standard adult name changes, which is one advantage despite the higher filing fees. You file your petition in the District Court of the county where you reside. Utah courts have self-help centers, particularly in the Wasatch Front counties, with name change packet guidance available online and at courthouse locations.
Utah has specific rules around name changes: the petitioner must not be changing their name to defraud any person, and the court may deny petitions that appear to be motivated by fraud or evasion of legal obligations. Utah courts also review for any relevant criminal background. For most petitioners, approval is routine.
The Utah DMV (Driver License Division) charges $30 for a corrected Utah driver's license with a name change. Visit any Utah DLD office with your court order or marriage certificate, current Utah license, and proof of SSA update. Utah DLD has offices throughout the Wasatch Front and in most larger cities, with online scheduling available.
Utah divorce decrees routinely include name restoration provisions. Utah courts are receptive to this request, and Utah's standard divorce forms include a section for name restoration. Including this in your original decree is especially important given Utah's higher filing fees for separate petitions.
Key Utah links: Utah Courts (utcourts.gov/howto/family), Utah DMV (dld.utah.gov), Utah Legal Services (utahlegalservices.org) for free legal assistance for qualifying Utah residents statewide.
Utah name change fees at a glance
| Court filing fee | $360 |
| Certified copies (3 × $4 each) | $12 |
| Newspaper publication(not required) | N/A |
| Fingerprinting / background check(not required) | N/A |
| Driver's license / State ID | $25 |
| Processing time | ~4 weeks |
| Fee waiver available | At or below 150% federal poverty level |
Common reasons in Utah
Name Change Guides for Utah
FAQ: Utah name changes
- How much does it cost to change your name in Utah?
- Court filing fees in Utah start around $360 for a petition (counties may differ). Add certified copies (3 × about $4 each), optional publication ($0), DMV fees, and passport fees depending on your path.
- How long does a name change take in Utah?
- Many Utah 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 Utah?
- Most standard adult name change petitions in Utah do not require newspaper publication, but a judge can still impose notice requirements in some cases.
- Can I change my name for free in Utah?
- You may qualify for a reduced or waived court filing fee in Utah if you meet the court’s income guidelines (At or below 150% federal poverty level). Certified copies, DMV fees, and passports still usually cost money.
- What documents do I need to change my name in Utah?
- Commonly: a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; government-issued photo ID; proof of Utah residency for court filings; and Social Security verification before DMV updates.
- How do I change my name after marriage in Utah?
- If you take your spouse’s surname as shown on your Utah 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 Utah, you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. Utah 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