How to Legally Change Your Name in Delaware
Filing fee, court, publication rules, official forms, and a free calculator that builds your exact steps. Last verified July 16, 2026.
An adult name change in Delaware is filed in the Court of Common Pleas for the State of Delaware and costs about $85. In Delaware, no newspaper publication is required, and most cases finish in 4–10 weeks. Marriage and divorce name changes usually need no court petition — the certificate or decree is your legal proof.
Delaware Name-Change Calculator
Pick your state and situation for your exact filing fee, court, forms, and ordered steps.
Delaware name change at a glance
Every figure is verified against Delaware Court of Common Pleas and .gov sources.
| Situation | Court | Filing fee | Publication | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marriage | No court needed | $0 | — | Depends on ID updates |
| Divorce | Delaware Family Court (through the divorce decree under 13 Del. C. § 1514) | $0 | Not required | 1–4 weeks |
| Adult petition | Court of Common Pleas for the State of Delaware | $85 | Not required | 4–10 weeks |
| Minor child | Delaware Family Court | $100 | Sometimes | 8–20 weeks |
| Gender identity | Court of Common Pleas for the State of Delaware (name); DMV and Office of Vital Statistics (gender marker) | $85 | Not required | 4–10 weeks |
Choose your situation
Take your spouse's name or hyphenate — usually no court petition needed.
No court petition
Restore your former or maiden name through the divorce decree or a short filing.
$0 · Delaware Family Court (through the divorce decree under 13 Del. C. § 1514)
Court petition to change an adult's name for any reason not tied to marriage or divorce.
$85 · Court of Common Pleas for the State of Delaware
Petition to change a child's name, with notice or consent rules for both parents.
$100 · Delaware Family Court
Court name change aligned with gender identity, often with publication waivers.
$85 · Court of Common Pleas for the State of Delaware (name); DMV and Office of Vital Statistics (gender marker)
The Delaware name-change process
Most legal name changes in Delaware that aren't tied to a marriage or divorce go through the Court of Common Pleas for the State of Delaware. You file where you live — Court of Common Pleas in the county where you live (adults); Family Court for minor and divorce-related name changes. The filing fee is $85.
You do not have to publish a notice in a newspaper. From filing to a signed order usually takes 4–10 weeks.
Once the judge signs your order, order several certified copies right away — you'll hand one to Social Security, the DMV, and the passport agency, in that order.
After your order: who to notify
The name change isn't finished at the courthouse. Update Social Security first, then your Delaware driver's license, then your passport — in that order, because each one checks the last.
Delaware name change: FAQ
How much does a name change cost in Delaware?
Do I have to publish a name change in a newspaper in Delaware?
How long does a name change take in Delaware?
Which court handles name changes in Delaware?
What do I do after my name change is approved in Delaware?
Sources
Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:
- courts.delaware.gov/help/changename
- dhss.delaware.gov/dph/ss/vitalstats
- delcode.delaware.gov/title13/c015/index.html
- courts.delaware.gov/family/namechange/index.aspx
- dmv.de.gov/DriverServices/other/index.shtml?dc=dr_oth_change
See our verification methodology and themaster source list.