Adult Name Change in Indiana: Steps, Cost & Forms
Verified against Indiana Circuit Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.
An adult name change in Indiana is filed in the Circuit or Superior Court (civil miscellaneous / MI case), costs about $157, and requires a newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 6–12 weeks. You'll need the forms below and certified copies of the signed order to update your IDs.
Your personalized plan
Pick your state and situation for your exact filing fee, court, forms, and ordered steps.
What it costs
Indiana's statewide civil filing fee is $157; newspaper publication is a separate cost. Confirm the exact filing fee and accepted payment methods with your county court clerk.
Circuit Court (or Superior Court) in the county where you live
Step by step
- 1
Confirm you are at least 17 and file in the Circuit or Superior Court of the county where you live under Indiana Code 34-28-2; complete the Verified Petition for Change of Name (CCA-MI-0921-2055) and the Appearance by Unrepresented Person (CCA-GF-1022-3025), disclosing your date of birth and any felony convictions as the statute requires.
- 2
File the petition with the county clerk and pay the $157 filing fee, or ask the clerk about an Order to Proceed Without Paying (fee waiver) if you cannot afford it.
- 3
Publish notice of the petition once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, with the last notice at least 30 days before your hearing, then file the newspaper's affidavit as proof of publication.
- 4
If you have a felony conviction within the past 10 years, at least 30 days before the hearing give notice — including a full set of classifiable fingerprints — to the county sheriff, the county prosecutor, and the Indiana central repository for criminal history information (IC 34-28-2-2.5).
- 5
Attend the hearing, obtain the certified order/decree changing your name, then use certified copies to update Social Security (SS-5), the Indiana BMV, your US passport, and your accounts.
Official forms
Every link goes to the official court or government host — never a paid re-host.
- • Indiana's statewide civil filing fee is $157, but counties can vary in payment methods and copy requirements — confirm the exact filing fee with your county court clerk.
- • Fingerprinting and notice to law enforcement apply only if you have a felony conviction within the last 10 years; most adult petitioners are not fingerprinted.
- • The petition must state that you are not changing your name to defraud creditors or evade the law; the court can deny petitions filed for fraudulent intent.
Then update your IDs
Once you have the signed order, update Social Security first, then your Indiana license, then your passport and accounts.
Adult petition name change in nearby states
Adult (Court) Name Change in Indiana: FAQ
How much does a adult (court) name change cost in Indiana?
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Indiana?
How long does it take in Indiana?
What do I do after the judge signs my order in Indiana?
Sources
Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:
- www.in.gov/courts/selfservice
- www.in.gov/bmv/licenses-permits-ids/learners-permits-and-drivers-licenses-overview/drivers-license/amending-your-drivers-license-or-identification-card
See our verification methodology and themaster source list.