How to Legally Change Your Name in Pennsylvania
Filing fee, court, publication rules, official forms, and a free calculator that builds your exact steps. Last verified July 16, 2026.
An adult name change in Pennsylvania is filed in the Court of Common Pleas (Civil Division) and costs about $142–$350 (typical $300, varies by county). In Pennsylvania, you must publish a notice in a newspaper, and most cases finish in 8–16 weeks. Marriage and divorce name changes usually need no court petition — the certificate or decree is your legal proof.
Pennsylvania Name-Change Calculator
Pick your state and situation for your exact filing fee, court, forms, and ordered steps.
Pennsylvania name change at a glance
Every figure is verified against Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas and .gov sources.
| Situation | Court | Filing fee | Publication | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marriage | No court needed | $0 | — | Depends on ID updates |
| Divorce | Court of Common Pleas (through the county Prothonotary / Office of Judicial Records) | $0–$20 | Not required | 1–4 weeks |
| Adult petition | Court of Common Pleas (Civil Division) | $142–$350 | Required | 8–16 weeks |
| Minor child | Court of Common Pleas (Civil Division) | $142–$350 | Required | 8–16 weeks |
| Gender identity | Court of Common Pleas (Civil Division) | $142–$350 | Required (waivable) | 8–16 weeks |
Choose your situation
Take your spouse's name or hyphenate — usually no court petition needed.
No court petition
Restore your former or maiden name through the divorce decree or a short filing.
$0–$20 · Court of Common Pleas (through the county Prothonotary / Office of Judicial Records)
Court petition to change an adult's name for any reason not tied to marriage or divorce.
$142–$350 · Court of Common Pleas (Civil Division)
Petition to change a child's name, with notice or consent rules for both parents.
$142–$350 · Court of Common Pleas (Civil Division)
Court name change aligned with gender identity, often with publication waivers.
$142–$350 · Court of Common Pleas (Civil Division)
The Pennsylvania name-change process
Most legal name changes in Pennsylvania that aren't tied to a marriage or divorce go through the Court of Common Pleas (Civil Division). You file where you live — Court of Common Pleas in the county where you live. The filing fee is $142–$350 (typical $300, varies by county), so confirm the exact amount with your county clerk before you file.
After you file, you publish a legal notice in a newspaper. Pennsylvania also runs a fingerprint or background check on adult petitioners. From filing to a signed order usually takes 8–16 weeks.
Once the judge signs your order, order several certified copies right away — you'll hand one to Social Security, the DMV, and the passport agency, in that order.
For a name change to match your gender identity, Pennsylvania treats it more privately: You may file a motion to waive publication and seal the record where publication or public access would jeopardize your safety or your child's safety; if granted, publication is waived, the file is sealed, and the hearing is closed..
After your order: who to notify
The name change isn't finished at the courthouse. Update Social Security first, then your Pennsylvania driver's license, then your passport — in that order, because each one checks the last.
Pennsylvania name change: FAQ
How much does a name change cost in Pennsylvania?
Do I have to publish a name change in a newspaper in Pennsylvania?
How long does a name change take in Pennsylvania?
Which court handles name changes in Pennsylvania?
What do I do after my name change is approved in Pennsylvania?
Sources
Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:
- www.pacourts.us/learn/representing-yourself
- www.pa.gov/en/agencies/dmv/driver-services/real-id/name-changes-real-id
- www.pacourts.us/learn/representing-yourself/divorce-proceedings
- codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-54-pacsa-names/pa-csa-sect-54-702
See our verification methodology and themaster source list.