Adult Name Change in Arizona: Steps, Cost & Forms

Verified against Superior Court of Arizona and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

An adult name change in Arizona is filed in the Superior Court of Arizona (Civil), costs about $236–$350 (typical $301, varies by county), and sometimes requires a 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

$236–$350 (typical $301, varies by county)

Fee is set by each county Clerk of the Superior Court and varies — e.g. Maricopa County is about $301; confirm the exact amount with your county clerk. A fee deferral (payment plan) or waiver is available if you cannot afford it.

Court

Superior Court of Arizona (Civil)

Superior Court in the county where you live

Timeline

3–10 weeks

Step by step

1
Complete the Application for Change of Name for an Adult with No Minor Children (Maricopa form CVNCA1), or the version for an adult who is the parent of at least one minor child (form CVNCC1) if you have minor kids.
2
File the original application plus two copies with the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where you live and pay the filing fee, or ask the Clerk about a fee deferral or waiver if you cannot afford it.
3
If the court orders notice, give notice as directed (by publication or by service on interested parties) and file proof of that notice, then attend the hearing if the court schedules one.
4
Obtain the signed judgment (Order/Judgment changing name) from the Clerk and order certified copies.
5
Use the certified order to update Social Security (Form SS-5), then the Arizona MVD, then your US passport and your accounts.

Official forms

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

Form	Code	Official link
Application for Change of Name for an Adult with No Minor Children	CVNCA1	Open ↗
Application for Change of Name for an Adult who is the Parent of at Least One Minor Child	CVNCC1	Open ↗
Arizona Judicial Branch Self-Service Center — Name Change Forms	—	Open ↗

Newspaper publication: Sometimes — Arizona does NOT require newspaper publication by statute. Under A.R.S. 12-602 the court MAY order notice by publication or by service on interested parties if it deems it proper, and some county courts require it in practice — follow your court's order.

Background check: No background check

Good to know in Arizona:

• The filing fee is set by each county Clerk of the Superior Court, so it varies statewide — confirm the exact current fee with the clerk in the county where you will file before you go.
• There is no fingerprinting or criminal-background-check requirement for a standard adult name change in Arizona.
• Victims protected by an order of protection or injunction against harassment, or victims of stalking, may ask the court to seal the name-change record under A.R.S. 12-601 so it is not public.

Then update your IDs

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

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

Adult petition name change in nearby states

Washington →Tennessee →Virginia →Massachusetts →

Adult (Court) Name Change in Arizona: FAQ

How much does a adult (court) name change cost in Arizona?

About $236–$350 (typical $301, varies by county), filed in the Superior Court of Arizona (Civil). Fee is set by each county Clerk of the Superior Court and varies — e.g. Maricopa County is about $301; confirm the exact amount with your county clerk. A fee deferral (payment plan) or waiver is available if you cannot afford it..

Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Arizona?

Sometimes — it depends on your court. Ask the clerk when you file.

How long does it take in Arizona?

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 Arizona?

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.