Adult Name Change in North Dakota: Steps, Cost & Forms

Verified against North Dakota District Court and .gov sources · 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), costs about $160, and 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.

Your personalized plan

Pick your state and situation for your exact filing fee, court, forms, and ordered steps.

Free · no signup

What it costs

Filing fee

$160

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.

Court

North Dakota District Court (county of residence)

District Court in the North Dakota county where you have lived for at least 6 months

Timeline

6–12 weeks

Step by step

1
Confirm you have lived in your North Dakota county for at least 6 months, then complete the Petition for Name Change, the Notice of Petition for Name Change, the Affidavit of Petitioner, and a proposed Order Granting Name Change from the ND Courts self-help name-change packet.
2
Publish the notice of your intended name change in the official newspaper of your county for the 30-day notice required by NDCC 32-28-02 (unless you qualify for the first/middle-name or domestic-violence exception).
3
File your petition and proof of publication with the Clerk of District Court and pay the filing fee, or file a petition to waive the fee if you cannot afford it.
4
The court may order a criminal history background check at your cost; a felony conviction creates a presumption of bad faith that you must overcome with clear and convincing evidence.
5
After the judge signs the Order Granting Name Change, order certified copies and use them to update Social Security, the North Dakota DOT, your passport, and your accounts.

Official forms

Every link goes to the official court or government host — never a paid re-host.

Form	Code	Official link
Name Change – Adult: all forms and instructions packet (Petition, Notice, Affidavit, Order)	—	Open ↗
Petition for Name Change (Adult)	—	Open ↗
Order Granting Name Change (Adult)	—	Open ↗

Newspaper publication: Required — 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.

Background check: Background check sometimes required

Good to know in North Dakota:

• You must have resided in the county where you file for at least 6 months, and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.
• The exact filing fee is in transition after the July 1, 2025 increase — confirm the current amount with your county clerk of district court before you file.

Then update your IDs

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

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

Adult petition name change in nearby states

South Dakota →Alaska →Delaware →Vermont →

Adult (Court) Name Change in North Dakota: FAQ

How much does a adult (court) name change cost in North Dakota?

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..

Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in North Dakota?

Yes. 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 it take in North Dakota?

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 North Dakota?

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.