Skip to content
Name Change Atlas
All StatesToolsWho to NotifyGuidesCost & Steps Calculator

Minor Child 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

A minor child 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 8–20 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.

Free · no signup

Showing your state. Change the situation below to compare.

Your situation

What it costs

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

Same court-cost range as an adult petition and it varies by parish; confirm the exact amount with your parish clerk of court.

Court
Judicial District Court (in the parish of residence)

District Court in the parish where you live

Timeline
8–20 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    Prepare a Petition for Name Change of a minor under La. R.S. 13:4751 for filing in the Judicial District Court of the parish where the child lives.

  2. 2

    Under La. R.S. 13:4751, the petition must be signed (joined) by both the father and the mother of the minor; if one parent is deceased, the surviving parent may sign alone.

  3. 3

    If the parents are divorced or separated, the parent with custody may petition but the non-custodial parent must be served and given the chance to object.

  4. 4

    File the petition, pay the court costs, and serve the parish district attorney, who is a mandatory party and will answer the petition.

  5. 5

    After any hearing, obtain the signed District Court Judgment and use certified copies to update the child's Social Security record, school records, and passport.

Official forms

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

FormCodeOfficial link
Louisiana Revised Statutes 13:4751 — Petition for name change; adults; minorsR.S. 13:4751Open ↗
Louisiana State Bar Association Access to Justice name-change resources—Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Sometimes — As with adult petitions, notice is given by serving the district attorney; some parishes additionally require publication by local rule.
Background check: No background check
Good to know in Louisiana:
  • • Both parents generally must join the petition; a court weighs the best interest of the child before granting a change.
  • • Because both-parent concurrence and district-attorney involvement are required, contested minor name changes usually need an attorney.

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 →

Minor child name change in nearby states

Alabama →Kentucky →South Carolina →Oregon →

Minor Child Name Change in Louisiana: FAQ

How much does a minor child name change cost in Louisiana?
About $250–$500 (typical $400, varies by county), filed in the Judicial District Court (in the parish of residence). Same court-cost range as an adult petition and it varies by parish; confirm the exact amount 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.
Do both parents have to agree to change a child's name in Louisiana?
Both parents generally must be notified. If the other parent objects or can't be found, the court decides based on the child's best interest. Both parents generally must join the petition; a court weighs the best interest of the child before granting a change.
How long does it take in Louisiana?
Typically 8–20 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.