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Minor Child Name Change in Minnesota: Steps, Cost & Forms

Verified against Minnesota District Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A minor child name change in Minnesota is filed in the Minnesota District Court (county where the child resides), costs about $310–$325 (typical $322, varies by county), and requires no newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 4–10 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
$310–$325 (typical $322, varies by county)

Same statutory civil filing fee as an adult petition ($310 base plus county law library fee); waivable with an In Forma Pauperis request

Court
Minnesota District Court (county where the child resides)

District Court in the county where you have lived for at least six months

Timeline
4–10 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    Read the instructions in Form NAM201 and complete Form NAM202 (Application for Name Change of a Minor), naming the child and the requested name and filing in the county where the child lives.

  2. 2

    Give notice of the application to both parents as required by Minn. Stat. 259.10; if both parents consent, they can both be listed as petitioners and no additional consent forms are needed.

  3. 3

    Complete Form NAM203 (Criminal History Check Release) for each person age 10 or older on the application and file the packet with the District Court Administrator, paying or waiving the filing fee.

  4. 4

    Attend the hearing; the judge decides based on the best interests of the child (Minn. Stat. 259.11).

  5. 5

    Get the signed order, order certified copies, and 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
Instructions — Minor Name Change ApplicationNAM201Open ↗
Forms Packet: Minor Name Change (includes Application NAM202)NAM202Open ↗
Criminal History Check Release for Name Change of a MinorNAM203Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Not required — No newspaper publication is required, but both parents must receive notice of the application under Minn. Stat. 259.10.
Background check: Fingerprint/background check required
Good to know in Minnesota:
  • • No minor child's name may be changed without both parents having notice of the pending application (Minn. Stat. 259.10); if a parent cannot be located, ask the court how to proceed.
  • • The court weighs the child's best interest, not just the parents' preference (Minn. Stat. 259.11).
  • • A background check applies to any person age 10 or older named on the application.

Then update your IDs

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

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

Minor child name change in nearby states

Colorado →South Carolina →Wisconsin →Alabama →

Minor Child Name Change in Minnesota: FAQ

How much does a minor child name change cost in Minnesota?
About $310–$325 (typical $322, varies by county), filed in the Minnesota District Court (county where the child resides). Same statutory civil filing fee as an adult petition ($310 base plus county law library fee); waivable with an In Forma Pauperis request.
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Minnesota?
No. Minnesota does not require newspaper publication for this type of name change.
Do both parents have to agree to change a child's name in Minnesota?
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. No minor child's name may be changed without both parents having notice of the pending application (Minn. Stat. 259.10); if a parent cannot be located, ask the court how to proceed.
How long does it take in Minnesota?
Typically 4–10 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 Minnesota?
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.