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

Verified against North Dakota District Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A minor child 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.

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What it costs

Filing fee

$160

Same district court civil filing fee as an adult petition ($80 pre-July 2025, $160 after the July 1, 2025 increase); waivable with a fee-waiver petition. Confirm with your clerk of court.

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
Complete the ND Courts minor-child name-change packet, naming the child and the requested new name, and confirm the 6-month county residency requirement.
2
Give notice of the petition to the child's other parent, and publish the 30-day notice in the official newspaper of the minor's county and each parent's county as required by NDCC 32-28-02.
3
File the petition and proof of publication with the Clerk of District Court, pay or ask to waive the fee, and provide proof that the other parent received notice.
4
Attend the hearing; the judge decides based on the best interest of the child, not just the parents' preference.
5
Get 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.

Form	Code	Official link
Name Change – Minor Child: all forms and instructions packet	—	Open ↗

Newspaper publication: Required — The 30-day notice under NDCC 32-28-02 must be published in the official newspaper of the county where the minor lives and, if different, the official newspaper of the county where each of the minor's parents lives.

Background check: Background check sometimes required

Good to know in North Dakota:

• Both parents generally must receive notice; if a parent cannot be located, ask the court how to serve notice or whether service can be excused.
• Publication reaches both the minor's home county and each parent's county, so budget for notice in more than one newspaper if the parents live elsewhere.

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 →

Minor child name change in nearby states

South Dakota →Alaska →Delaware →Vermont →

Minor Child Name Change in North Dakota: FAQ

How much does a minor child name change cost in North Dakota?

About $160, filed in the North Dakota District Court (county of residence). Same district court civil filing fee as an adult petition ($80 pre-July 2025, $160 after the July 1, 2025 increase); waivable with a fee-waiver petition. Confirm with your clerk of court..

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

Yes. The 30-day notice under NDCC 32-28-02 must be published in the official newspaper of the county where the minor lives and, if different, the official newspaper of the county where each of the minor's parents lives.

Do both parents have to agree to change a child's name in North Dakota?

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. Both parents generally must receive notice; if a parent cannot be located, ask the court how to serve notice or whether service can be excused.

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.