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

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

Quick answer

A minor child name change in Montana is filed in the Montana District Court (of the county where the child resides), costs about $170, and sometimes 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.

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What it costs

Filing fee

$170

Same District Court petition fee as an adult (about $120 filing plus a $50 judgment fee); a fee waiver is available via the Affidavit of Inability to Pay. Confirm the exact filing fee with your county court clerk.

Court

Montana District Court (of the county where the child resides)

District Court in the county where you live

Timeline

6–12 weeks

Step by step

1
A parent or legal guardian completes the Child Name Change Packet — the Petition, the Consent to Change (for a consenting parent), the Order Setting Hearing, the Notice of Hearing, and the Order for Name Change — naming the child and the requested name.
2
Give the child's other parent written notice, or file each parent's signed Consent to Change; if both parents and all guardians consent in writing, the newspaper publication is waived.
3
File the petition with the Clerk of District Court, pay or waive the fee, and publish the Notice of Hearing for four successive weeks unless every parent and guardian has consented.
4
Attend the hearing; the judge decides based on the child's best interest, and may appoint a guardian ad litem if a parent objects or cannot be located.
5
Obtain the signed Order for Name Change 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.

Form	Code	Official link
Child Name Change Packet (Petition, Consent, Order Setting Hearing, Notice, Order for Name Change)	—	Open ↗
Montana Name Change Forms hub (District Court)	—	Open ↗

Newspaper publication: Sometimes — Under MCA 27-31-201 publication of the hearing notice is required unless both parents and all legal guardians consent to the change in writing, in which case the four-week newspaper publication is waived.

Background check: No background check

Good to know in Montana:

• If one parent objects or cannot be located, the court proceeds carefully and may require additional service or appoint a guardian ad litem.
• When both parents and all legal guardians consent in writing, the four-week newspaper publication requirement is waived entirely.

Then update your IDs

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

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

Minor child name change in nearby states

Maine →Rhode Island →New Hampshire →Delaware →

Minor Child Name Change in Montana: FAQ

How much does a minor child name change cost in Montana?

About $170, filed in the Montana District Court (of the county where the child resides). Same District Court petition fee as an adult (about $120 filing plus a $50 judgment fee); a fee waiver is available via the Affidavit of Inability to Pay. Confirm the exact filing fee with your county court clerk..

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

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 Montana?

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. If one parent objects or cannot be located, the court proceeds carefully and may require additional service or appoint a guardian ad litem.

How long does it take in Montana?

Typically 6–12 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 Montana?

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.