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How to Legally Change Your Name in New York

Filing fee, court, publication rules, official forms, and a free calculator that builds your exact steps. Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

An adult name change in New York is filed in the Supreme or County Court (NYC Civil Court in New York City) and costs about $210. In New York, you must publish a notice in a newspaper, and most cases finish in 4–12 weeks. Marriage and divorce name changes usually need no court petition — the certificate or decree is your legal proof.

New York Name-Change Calculator

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New York name change at a glance

Every figure is verified against New York Supreme Court / County Court (NYC Civil Court) and .gov sources.

Cost, court, publication requirement, and timeline for each type of name change in New York.
Situation	Court	Filing fee	Publication	Timeline
Marriage	No court needed	$0	—	Depends on ID updates
Divorce	Supreme Court (restored inside the divorce judgment under Domestic Relations Law § 240-a)	$0	Not required	1–4 weeks
Adult petition	Supreme or County Court (NYC Civil Court in New York City)	$210	Required	4–12 weeks
Minor child	Supreme or County Court (NYC Civil Court in New York City)	$210	Required	4–12 weeks
Gender identity	Supreme or County Court (NYC Civil Court in New York City)	$210	Required (waivable)	4–12 weeks

Choose your situation

Marriage→

Take your spouse's name or hyphenate — usually no court petition needed.

No court petition

Divorce→

Restore your former or maiden name through the divorce decree or a short filing.

$0 · Supreme Court (restored inside the divorce judgment under Domestic Relations Law § 240-a)

Adult petition→

Court petition to change an adult's name for any reason not tied to marriage or divorce.

$210 · Supreme or County Court (NYC Civil Court in New York City)

Minor child→

Petition to change a child's name, with notice or consent rules for both parents.

$210 · Supreme or County Court (NYC Civil Court in New York City)

Gender identity→

Court name change aligned with gender identity, often with publication waivers.

$210 · Supreme or County Court (NYC Civil Court in New York City)

The New York name-change process

Most legal name changes in New York that aren't tied to a marriage or divorce go through the Supreme or County Court (NYC Civil Court in New York City). You file where you live — Supreme or County Court in the county where you live (in New York City, any NYC Civil Court). The filing fee is $210.

After you file, you publish a legal notice in a newspaper. From filing to a signed order usually takes 4–12 weeks.

If the fee is a hardship, ask the clerk about a fee waiver — $210 in Supreme/County Court statewide; $65 in NYC Civil Court. Fee waiver available, but you still pay the newspaper's publication charge.. Once the judge signs your order, order several certified copies; you'll need one for Social Security, the DMV, and your passport.

For a name change to match your gender identity, New York treats it more privately: New York explicitly allows waiving publication and sealing the record for personal-safety concerns under Civil Rights Law § 64-a — the provision most gender-identity applicants use..

After your order: who to notify

The name change isn't finished at the courthouse. Update Social Security first, then your New York driver's license, then your passport — in that order, because each one checks the last.

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

New York name change: FAQ

How much does a name change cost in New York?

An adult name change in New York costs about $210, filed in the Supreme or County Court (NYC Civil Court in New York City). $210 in Supreme/County Court statewide; $65 in NYC Civil Court. Fee waiver available, but you still pay the newspaper's publication charge.. Marriage and divorce name changes have no separate court fee.

Do I have to publish a name change in a newspaper in New York?

Yes. In New York, an adult name-change petition requires publishing a legal notice in a newspaper. After the judge signs the order you must publish the new name in a designated newspaper within 20 days, then file the newspaper's Affidavit of Publication with the clerk within 90 days. Publication is waivable and the record sealed for safety under Civil Rights Law § 64-a.

How long does a name change take in New York?

A court name change in New York typically takes 4–12 weeks from filing to a signed order. After that, updating Social Security takes about 7–10 business days and a passport 4–6 weeks.

Which court handles name changes in New York?

Adult name changes in New York are handled by the Supreme or County Court (NYC Civil Court in New York City). You file in supreme or county court in the county where you live (in new york city, any nyc civil court).

Can I get the name-change filing fee waived in New York?

Yes, if you can't afford it. $210 in Supreme/County Court statewide; $65 in NYC Civil Court. Fee waiver available, but you still pay the newspaper's publication charge.. Ask your county clerk for the fee-waiver form.

What do I do after my name change is approved in New York?

Update Social Security first (free, Form SS-5), then your New York driver's license, then your US passport, and finally banks, employer, and insurance. Use our Who-To-Notify Checklist to order every account you hold.

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.