Updated May 2026
How to Change Your Name in Vermont (2026 Cost + Steps)
The cost of a legal name change in Vermont is $120, which includes a $90 court filing fee, and $30 for certified copies of the court order.
Court filing fee: $90 · 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 | $187 | ~2 weeks | No |
| After Divorce | $187 | ~2 weeks | No |
| Court Order (Adult) | $277 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Child Name Change | $327 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Gender Marker Change | $277 | ~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 Vermont
Vermont Probate Court filing fees for name changes run $75-$100 depending on the probate district. Vermont routes name change petitions through the Probate Court rather than Superior Court. After-marriage name changes in Vermont use your marriage certificate directly without any court involvement, keeping costs minimal for newlyweds.
Vermont does not require newspaper publication for standard adult name changes, simplifying the process. You file your petition at the Vermont Probate Court for your probate district. Vermont has 18 probate districts organized across the state's counties. The Vermont Judiciary's website provides guidance on which probate district covers your town and provides downloadable petition forms.
Vermont is particularly progressive on gender identity issues. Vermont allows gender marker changes on state IDs with self-certification and no medical documentation required. Vermont also allows non-binary (X) gender markers on driver's licenses and state IDs. Name change and gender marker change can be combined in a single Probate Court filing.
The Vermont DMV charges $33 for a corrected Vermont driver's license with a name change. Visit any Vermont DMV satellite office or the main DMV at 120 State Street, Montpelier with your court order or marriage certificate, current Vermont license, and proof of SSA update. Vermont is a small state and most residents can reach a DMV office reasonably easily.
Vermont divorce decrees can include name restoration provisions. Vermont Family Court handles divorce proceedings and is receptive to name restoration requests. Including this in your original divorce decree avoids a separate Probate Court petition.
Key Vermont links: Vermont Courts (vermontjudiciary.org), Vermont DMV (dmv.vermont.gov), Vermont Legal Aid (vtlegalaid.org) which serves all Vermont residents with free legal assistance including name change guidance.
Vermont name change fees at a glance
| Court filing fee | $90 |
| Certified copies (3 × $10 each) | $30 |
| Newspaper publication(not required) | N/A |
| Fingerprinting / background check(not required) | N/A |
| Driver's license / State ID | $27 |
| Processing time | ~3 weeks |
| Fee waiver available | In forma pauperis |
Common reasons in Vermont
Name Change Guides for Vermont
FAQ: Vermont name changes
- How much does it cost to change your name in Vermont?
- Court filing fees in Vermont start around $90 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 Vermont?
- Many Vermont 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 Vermont?
- Most standard adult name change petitions in Vermont do not require newspaper publication, but a judge can still impose notice requirements in some cases.
- Can I change my name for free in Vermont?
- You may qualify for a reduced or waived court filing fee in Vermont 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 Vermont?
- Commonly: a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; government-issued photo ID; proof of Vermont residency for court filings; and Social Security verification before DMV updates.
- How do I change my name after marriage in Vermont?
- If you take your spouse’s surname as shown on your Vermont 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 Vermont, you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. Vermont 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