Updated May 2026
How to Change Your Name in Washington D.C. (2026 Cost + Steps)
The cost of a legal name change in Washington D.C. is $195, which includes a $150 court filing fee, and $45 for certified copies of the court order.
Court filing fee: $150 · 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 | $195 | ~2 weeks | No |
| After Divorce | $195 | ~2 weeks | No |
| Court Order (Adult) | $345 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Child Name Change | $395 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Gender Marker Change | $345 | ~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 Washington D.C.
Washington D.C. Superior Court filing fees for name changes run $95-$110 - quite affordable given the high cost of living in the District. After-marriage name changes in DC use your marriage certificate directly - no court petition required - keeping costs minimal for newlyweds in the nation's capital.
DC does not require newspaper publication for standard adult name changes. You file your petition at the DC Superior Court, Civil Division, located at 500 Indiana Avenue NW, Washington DC. The DC Superior Court has a self-help center with name change guides and assistance, and filing staff are generally knowledgeable about the process.
Washington DC is notably progressive on gender identity name changes. DC allows gender marker changes on DC-issued IDs with self-certification and no medical documentation required. DC also allows non-binary (X) gender markers on driver's licenses and state IDs since 2017 - one of the first jurisdictions in the country to do so. Name change and gender marker change can be combined in a single Superior Court filing.
The DC DMV charges $20 for a corrected DC driver's license or non-driver ID with a name change. Visit any DC DMV service center with your court order or marriage certificate, current DC license, and proof of SSA update. DC DMV has service centers at multiple locations in the District and allows online appointment scheduling.
DC divorce decrees can include name restoration clauses. DC Superior Court Family Court Division handles divorce and is receptive to name restoration requests. Including this in your original divorce decree avoids a separate Civil Division petition later.
Key DC links: DC Courts (dccourts.gov), DC DMV (dmv.dc.gov), Legal Aid DC (legalaiddc.org) and DC Bar Pro Bono Center (dcbar.org/pro-bono) for free legal assistance for qualifying DC residents.
Washington D.C. name change fees at a glance
| Court filing fee | $150 |
| Certified copies (3 × $15 each) | $45 |
| 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 Washington D.C.
Name Change Guides for Washington D.C.
FAQ: Washington D.C. name changes
- How much does it cost to change your name in Washington D.C.?
- Court filing fees in Washington D.C. start around $150 for a petition (counties may differ). Add certified copies (3 × about $15 each), optional publication ($0), DMV fees, and passport fees depending on your path.
- How long does a name change take in Washington D.C.?
- Many Washington D.C. 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 Washington D.C.?
- Most standard adult name change petitions in Washington D.C. do not require newspaper publication, but a judge can still impose notice requirements in some cases.
- Can I change my name for free in Washington D.C.?
- You may qualify for a reduced or waived court filing fee in Washington D.C. 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 Washington D.C.?
- Commonly: a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; government-issued photo ID; proof of Washington D.C. residency for court filings; and Social Security verification before DMV updates.
- How do I change my name after marriage in Washington D.C.?
- If you take your spouse’s surname as shown on your Washington D.C. 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 Washington D.C., you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. Washington D.C. 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