Updated May 2026
How to Change Your Name in Virginia (2026 Cost + Steps)
The cost of a legal name change in Virginia is $89, which includes a $83 court filing fee, and $6 for certified copies of the court order.
Court filing fee: $83 · 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 | $156 | ~2 weeks | No |
| After Divorce | $156 | ~2 weeks | No |
| Court Order (Adult) | $239 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Child Name Change | $289 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Gender Marker Change | $239 | ~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 Virginia
Virginia Circuit Court filing fees for name changes run just $25-$35 - among the very lowest in the country and a fraction of what California or Utah charge. After-marriage name changes in Virginia use your marriage certificate directly - no court petition required - keeping costs to just certified copies of the certificate from the Circuit Court clerk where the marriage was recorded.
Virginia does not require newspaper publication for standard adult name changes, which combined with its extremely low filing fees makes Virginia one of the most affordable states for a court-order name change in the country. You file your petition in the Circuit Court of the city or county where you reside. Virginia has an unusual jurisdictional structure with independent cities and counties - make sure you file in the correct jurisdiction for your address.
Virginia has a relatively straightforward name change process. The Circuit Court reviews your petition for any fraud indicators. Virginia courts are generally efficient, with most name change orders issued within 4-6 weeks of filing. Virginia also allows gender marker changes on state IDs with a court order and no surgery requirement.
The Virginia DMV charges $20 for a corrected Virginia driver's license with a name change. Visit any Virginia DMV customer service center with your court order or marriage certificate, current Virginia license, and proof of SSA update. Virginia DMV has customer service centers throughout the state and allows online scheduling for most transactions.
Virginia divorce decrees can include name restoration clauses. Virginia Circuit Courts handle both divorce and name change proceedings and are receptive to name restoration requests. Given Virginia's very low filing fees, even a separate petition is relatively affordable compared to other states.
Key Virginia links: Virginia Courts (courts.state.va.us), Virginia DMV (dmv.virginia.gov), Legal Aid Justice Center (justice4all.org) and Virginia Legal Aid Society (vlas.org) for free assistance throughout Virginia.
Virginia name change fees at a glance
| Court filing fee | $83 |
| Certified copies (3 × $2 each) | $6 |
| Newspaper publication(not required) | N/A |
| Fingerprinting / background check(not required) | N/A |
| Driver's license / State ID | $20 |
| Processing time | ~4 weeks |
| Fee waiver available | In forma pauperis |
Common reasons in Virginia
Name Change Guides for Virginia
FAQ: Virginia name changes
- How much does it cost to change your name in Virginia?
- Court filing fees in Virginia start around $83 for a petition (counties may differ). Add certified copies (3 × about $2 each), optional publication ($0), DMV fees, and passport fees depending on your path.
- How long does a name change take in Virginia?
- Many Virginia 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 Virginia?
- Most standard adult name change petitions in Virginia do not require newspaper publication, but a judge can still impose notice requirements in some cases.
- Can I change my name for free in Virginia?
- You may qualify for a reduced or waived court filing fee in Virginia 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 Virginia?
- Commonly: a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; government-issued photo ID; proof of Virginia residency for court filings; and Social Security verification before DMV updates.
- How do I change my name after marriage in Virginia?
- If you take your spouse’s surname as shown on your Virginia 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 Virginia, you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. Virginia 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