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Minor Child Name Change in Alabama: Steps, Cost & Forms

Verified against Alabama Probate Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A minor child name change in Alabama is filed in the Probate Court, costs about $25–$100 (typical $42, varies by county), and requires no newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 3–10 weeks. You'll need the forms below and certified copies of the signed order to update your IDs.

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What it costs

Filing fee
$25–$100 (typical $42, varies by county)

Set by each county Probate Court, similar to the adult petition; confirm the exact amount and any recording or background-check costs with your county

Court
Probate Court

Probate Court in the county where you live

Timeline
3–10 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    Complete the Petition for Minor Name Change and file it in the Probate Court of the county where the child lives; a parent, guardian, or next friend files on the child's behalf.

  2. 2

    Obtain the written, notarized consent of BOTH parents using the Consent of Father and Consent of Mother forms, and the Consent of Minor form if the child is 14 or older; if a parent will not consent or cannot be located, ask the probate court how to proceed.

  3. 3

    Attach the child's certified birth certificate and pay the county's filing fee.

  4. 4

    The probate judge reviews the request based on the child's best interest and, if satisfied, signs the order changing the name.

  5. 5

    Order certified copies of the order and use them to update the child's Social Security record, birth record, school records, and passport.

Official forms

Every link goes to the official court or government host — never a paid re-host.

FormCodeOfficial link
Petition for Minor Name Change42014Open ↗
Consent of Father to Change Name of Minor10216Open ↗
Consent of Mother to Change Name of Minor78344Open ↗
Consent of Minor to Change Name14738Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Not required — No statewide newspaper-publication requirement; instead, both parents generally must consent or receive notice.
Background check: Background check sometimes required
Good to know in Alabama:
  • • Both parents generally must give written, notarized consent or receive notice; if one parent objects or cannot be found, the probate judge decides based on the child's best interest.
  • • Form codes and layout vary slightly by county — the linked forms are the official Houston County Probate Court versions; use your own county probate court's equivalents when filing there.

Then update your IDs

Once you have the signed order, update Social Security first, then your Alabama license, then your passport and accounts.

Who to notify →Build my checklist →See my timeline →

Minor child name change in nearby states

South Carolina →Louisiana →Minnesota →Kentucky →

Minor Child Name Change in Alabama: FAQ

How much does a minor child name change cost in Alabama?
About $25–$100 (typical $42, varies by county), filed in the Probate Court. Set by each county Probate Court, similar to the adult petition; confirm the exact amount and any recording or background-check costs with your county.
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Alabama?
No. Alabama does not require newspaper publication for this type of name change.
Do both parents have to agree to change a child's name in Alabama?
Both parents generally must be notified. If the other parent objects or can't be found, the court decides based on the child's best interest. Both parents generally must give written, notarized consent or receive notice; if one parent objects or cannot be found, the probate judge decides based on the child's best interest.
How long does it take in Alabama?
Typically 3–10 weeks from filing to a signed order, then Social Security (7–10 business days), the DMV, and your passport (4–6 weeks).
What do I do after the judge signs my order in Alabama?
Order certified copies, then update Social Security first, the DMV next, then your passport, banks, and employer. Our Who-To-Notify Checklist builds the full ordered list.

Sources

Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:

See our verification methodology and themaster source list.

Last verified July 16, 2026Reviewed by the Name Change Atlas Editorial Team against official court and .gov sources.

We're re-confirming some fee details for this state against the county court. Always confirm the exact current fee with your court clerk before you file.