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Minor Child Name Change in North Carolina: Steps, Cost & Forms

Verified against North Carolina Superior Court (Clerk of Superior Court, Special Proceedings) and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A minor child name change in North Carolina is filed in the Clerk of Superior Court, Special Proceedings (county of residence), costs about $120, and requires a 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
$120

The same $120 special-proceeding filing fee applies to a minor's name change; confirm accepted payment methods with your Clerk of Superior Court.

Court
Clerk of Superior Court, Special Proceedings (county of residence)

Clerk of Superior Court (Special Proceedings Division) in the county where you live

Timeline
4–10 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    A parent, guardian, or the person with legal custody posts the Notice of Intent to Change Name at the courthouse for at least 10 days, then files the application for the minor with the Clerk of Superior Court.

  2. 2

    Both living parents must consent in writing, or the applicant must show the clerk that the non-consenting parent was properly served or falls within a legal exception (for example, abandonment).

  3. 3

    File the application, attach the parental consents, and pay the $120 fee; a criminal background check is not required for a minor under 16.

  4. 4

    The clerk reviews the case and, if the change serves the child's interest and the consent rules are met, signs the order changing the minor's name.

  5. 5

    Get certified copies of the signed order 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
Name Change of a Minor Under the Age of 16 — instructions—Open ↗
Notice Of Intent To Change NameAOC-SP-601Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Required — A Notice of Intent must be posted in the courthouse area the clerk designates for at least 10 days before the application is filed.
Background check: No background check
Good to know in North Carolina:
  • • Written consent of both living parents is the central requirement; if a parent has abandoned the child or cannot be located, ask the clerk about the statutory exceptions under N.C.G.S. § 101-2.
  • • A special proceeding for a minor is handled by the Clerk of Superior Court, not a district-court judge, in most counties.

Then update your IDs

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

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

Minor child name change in nearby states

Georgia →Michigan →Ohio →New Jersey →

Minor Child Name Change in North Carolina: FAQ

How much does a minor child name change cost in North Carolina?
About $120, filed in the Clerk of Superior Court, Special Proceedings (county of residence). The same $120 special-proceeding filing fee applies to a minor's name change; confirm accepted payment methods with your Clerk of Superior Court..
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in North Carolina?
Yes. A Notice of Intent must be posted in the courthouse area the clerk designates for at least 10 days before the application is filed.
Do both parents have to agree to change a child's name in North Carolina?
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. Written consent of both living parents is the central requirement; if a parent has abandoned the child or cannot be located, ask the clerk about the statutory exceptions under N.C.G.S. § 101-2.
How long does it take in North Carolina?
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 North Carolina?
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.