Adult Name Change in Louisiana: Steps, Cost & Forms

Verified against Louisiana District Court (Judicial District Court) and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

An adult name change in Louisiana is filed in the Judicial District Court (in the parish of residence), costs about $250–$500 (typical $400, varies by county), and sometimes requires a newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 6–16 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

$250–$500 (typical $400, varies by county)

Court costs vary widely by parish (roughly $250–$500); the district attorney fee, publication where a parish requires it, certified copies, and typical attorney fees push the real total to about $450–$700+. Confirm the exact filing fee with your parish clerk of court.

Court

Judicial District Court (in the parish of residence)

District Court in the parish where you live

Timeline

6–16 weeks

Step by step

1
Prepare a Petition for Name Change under La. R.S. 13:4751–13:4755 (the Louisiana State Bar Association publishes a free self-represented adult petition form) stating your current name, requested name, date of birth, Social Security number, parish of domicile, and reason.
2
File the petition with the Clerk of Court for the Judicial District Court in the parish where you live and pay the court costs (cash or check).
3
It is mandatory under La. R.S. 13:4751 to serve the parish district attorney with a copy of the petition and cite the DA to answer it; the DA's office runs a criminal-history and background check to confirm no bar under La. R.S. 13:4751(D) applies.
4
A person convicted of a felony cannot petition for a name change until the sentence, probation, or parole has been satisfied — verify eligibility before filing.
5
After the DA responds and any hearing is held, obtain the signed District Court Judgment changing your name, order certified copies, and use them to update Social Security, the OMV, your 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
Self-Represented Litigant Petition to Change Name (Louisiana State Bar Association, adults 18+)	—	Open ↗
Louisiana Revised Statutes 13:4751 — Petition for name change; adults; minors	R.S. 13:4751	Open ↗
Application for a Social Security Card	SS-5	Open ↗

Newspaper publication: Sometimes — There is no uniform statewide publication requirement — the district attorney being served and cited substitutes for public notice — but some parishes require publication by local rule, and courts can waive publication for safety in domestic-violence or stalking situations.

Background check: Fingerprint/background check required

Good to know in Louisiana:

• Louisiana has among the highest name-change costs in the country because court costs, the district attorney's involvement, certified copies, and (in most cases) an attorney all add up to roughly $450–$700+.
• Confirm the exact filing fee with your parish clerk of court — there is no fixed statewide amount and it can range from about $250 to $500 in court costs alone.
• The district attorney is a required party in every Louisiana name-change case and can object; retaining an attorney is strongly recommended.

Then update your IDs

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

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

Adult petition name change in nearby states

Alabama →Kentucky →South Carolina →Oregon →

Adult (Court) Name Change in Louisiana: FAQ

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

About $250–$500 (typical $400, varies by county), filed in the Judicial District Court (in the parish of residence). Court costs vary widely by parish (roughly $250–$500); the district attorney fee, publication where a parish requires it, certified copies, and typical attorney fees push the real total to about $450–$700+. Confirm the exact filing fee with your parish clerk of court..

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

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

How long does it take in Louisiana?

Typically 6–16 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 Louisiana?

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.