Minor Child Name Change in New Jersey: Steps, Cost & Forms
Verified against Superior Court of New Jersey and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.
A minor child name change in New Jersey is filed in the Superior Court, Chancery Division — Family Part, costs about $250, and requires no 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
Same $250 filing fee as an adult petition; waivable for indigent filers. Certified copies cost $25 each.
Superior Court, Law Division (Civil Part) in the county where you live
Step by step
- 1
Complete the Family Part Name Change packet (CN 10552, 'How to Ask the Court to Change a Name in the Chancery Division, Family Part'), which includes the Verified Complaint, the Order Fixing Date of Hearing, and the Final Judgment for the child.
- 2
File with the Superior Court Chancery Division (Family Part) in the county where the child lives, pay the $250 fee or request a waiver, and serve the child's other parent with the complaint and hearing notice.
- 3
If the other parent does not consent, the court will still notice them; if a parent cannot be located, ask the court how to serve them (for example, by an alternate method the judge approves).
- 4
Attend the hearing; the judge decides based on the best interest of the child.
- 5
Obtain the signed Final Judgment and certified copies, then 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 |
|---|---|---|
| How to Ask the Court to Change a Name in the Chancery Division, Family Part (Family Name Change packet) | CN 10552 | Open ↗ |
- • Both parents must generally receive notice of a minor's name-change hearing; a parent who objects can appear and be heard.
- • The court weighs the child's best interest, not just the filing parent's preference.
Then update your IDs
Once you have the signed order, update Social Security first, then your New Jersey license, then your passport and accounts.
Minor child name change in nearby states
Minor Child Name Change in New Jersey: FAQ
How much does a minor child name change cost in New Jersey?
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in New Jersey?
Do both parents have to agree to change a child's name in New Jersey?
How long does it take in New Jersey?
What do I do after the judge signs my order in New Jersey?
Sources
Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:
See our verification methodology and themaster source list.