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How to Legally Change Your Name in North Dakota

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 North Dakota is filed in the North Dakota District Court (county of residence) and costs about $160. In North Dakota, you must publish a notice in a newspaper, and most cases finish in 6–12 weeks. Marriage and divorce name changes usually need no court petition — the certificate or decree is your legal proof.

North Dakota Name-Change Calculator

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North Dakota name change at a glance

Every figure is verified against North Dakota District Court and .gov sources.

Cost, court, publication requirement, and timeline for each type of name change in North Dakota.
SituationCourtFiling feePublicationTimeline
MarriageNo court needed$0—Depends on ID updates
DivorceNorth Dakota District Court (through the divorce judgment)$0Not required1–4 weeks
Adult petitionNorth Dakota District Court (county of residence)$160Required6–12 weeks
Minor childNorth Dakota District Court (county of residence)$160Required6–12 weeks
Gender identityNorth Dakota District Court (county of residence)$160Required6–12 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 · North Dakota District Court (through the divorce judgment)

Adult petition→

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

$160 · North Dakota District Court (county of residence)

Minor child→

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

$160 · North Dakota District Court (county of residence)

Gender identity→

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

$160 · North Dakota District Court (county of residence)

The North Dakota name-change process

Most legal name changes in North Dakota that aren't tied to a marriage or divorce go through the North Dakota District Court (county of residence). You file where you live — District Court in the North Dakota county where you have lived for at least 6 months. The filing fee is $160.

After you file, you publish a legal notice in a newspaper. a background check may be required depending on your situation. From filing to a signed order usually takes 6–12 weeks.

If the fee is a hardship, ask the clerk about a fee waiver — North Dakota's district court civil filing fee rose from $80 to $160 effective July 1, 2025 (SB 2057); older name-change instructions still show $80, so confirm the exact amount with your clerk of district court. Waivable with a fee-waiver petition.. Once the judge signs your order, order several certified copies; you'll need one for Social Security, the DMV, and your passport.

After your order: who to notify

The name change isn't finished at the courthouse. Update Social Security first, then your North Dakota 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 →

North Dakota name change: FAQ

How much does a name change cost in North Dakota?
An adult name change in North Dakota costs about $160, filed in the North Dakota District Court (county of residence). North Dakota's district court civil filing fee rose from $80 to $160 effective July 1, 2025 (SB 2057); older name-change instructions still show $80, so confirm the exact amount with your clerk of district court. Waivable with a fee-waiver petition.. Marriage and divorce name changes have no separate court fee.
Do I have to publish a name change in a newspaper in North Dakota?
Yes. In North Dakota, an adult name-change petition requires publishing a legal notice in a newspaper. Under NDCC 32-28-02 you must give 30 days' notice of your intended application in the official newspaper of the county where you live before a judge may order the change. Publication is not required if you are only changing your first or middle name, or if you are a domestic violence victim as defined in NDCC 14-07.1-01.
How long does a name change take in North Dakota?
A court name change in North Dakota typically takes 6–12 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 North Dakota?
Adult name changes in North Dakota are handled by the North Dakota District Court (county of residence). You file in district court in the north dakota county where you have lived for at least 6 months.
Can I get the name-change filing fee waived in North Dakota?
Yes, if you can't afford it. North Dakota's district court civil filing fee rose from $80 to $160 effective July 1, 2025 (SB 2057); older name-change instructions still show $80, so confirm the exact amount with your clerk of district court. Waivable with a fee-waiver petition.. Ask your county clerk for the fee-waiver form.
What do I do after my name change is approved in North Dakota?
Update Social Security first (free, Form SS-5), then your North Dakota 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.

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.