How to Legally Change Your Name in Georgia
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 Georgia is filed in the Superior Court (Clerk of Superior Court, county of residence) and costs about $200–$330 (typical $215, varies by county). In Georgia, you must publish a notice in a newspaper, and most cases finish in 5–10 weeks. Marriage and divorce name changes usually need no court petition — the certificate or decree is your legal proof.
Georgia Name-Change Calculator
Pick your state and situation for your exact filing fee, court, forms, and ordered steps.
Georgia name change at a glance
Every figure is verified against Georgia Superior Court and .gov sources.
| Situation | Court | Filing fee | Publication | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marriage | No court needed | $0 | — | Depends on ID updates |
| Divorce | Superior Court (through the divorce decree) | $0 | Not required | 1–4 weeks |
| Adult petition | Superior Court (Clerk of Superior Court, county of residence) | $200–$330 | Required | 5–10 weeks |
| Minor child | Superior Court (Clerk of Superior Court, county of residence) | $200–$330 | Required | 5–10 weeks |
| Gender identity | Superior Court (Clerk of Superior Court, county of residence) | $200–$330 | Sometimes | 5–10 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 · Superior Court (through the divorce decree)
Court petition to change an adult's name for any reason not tied to marriage or divorce.
$200–$330 · Superior Court (Clerk of Superior Court, county of residence)
Petition to change a child's name, with notice or consent rules for both parents.
$200–$330 · Superior Court (Clerk of Superior Court, county of residence)
Court name change aligned with gender identity, often with publication waivers.
$200–$330 · Superior Court (Clerk of Superior Court, county of residence)
The Georgia name-change process
Most legal name changes in Georgia that aren't tied to a marriage or divorce go through the Superior Court (Clerk of Superior Court, county of residence). You file where you live — Superior Court in the county where you live. The filing fee is $200–$330 (typical $215, varies by county), so confirm the exact amount with your county clerk before you file.
After you file, you publish a legal notice in a newspaper. From filing to a signed order usually takes 5–10 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 Georgia driver's license, then your passport — in that order, because each one checks the last.
Georgia name change: FAQ
How much does a name change cost in Georgia?
Do I have to publish a name change in a newspaper in Georgia?
How long does a name change take in Georgia?
Which court handles name changes in Georgia?
What do I do after my name change is approved in Georgia?
Sources
Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:
See our verification methodology and themaster source list.