Adult Name Change in Tennessee: Steps, Cost & Forms
Verified against Tennessee Circuit, Chancery, or Probate Court (the court that hears name changes varies by county) and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.
An adult name change in Tennessee is filed in the Circuit, Chancery, or Probate Court (which court hears name changes depends on the county), costs about $100–$250 (typical $175, varies by county), and requires no newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 1–6 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.
What it costs
There is no statewide fee. Confirmed examples: Shelby County (Probate) charges $166.50 in person; Rutherford County charges $243.50 including one certified copy. Confirm the exact filing fee with your county court clerk.
The Circuit, Chancery, or Probate Court in the county where you have lived for at least six months
Step by step
- 1
Confirm you have lived in your Tennessee county for at least six months, then get the name-change petition forms from your county court clerk (Circuit, Chancery, or Probate Court — Tennessee has no single statewide form).
- 2
Complete the Petition for Change of Name with your current name, requested name, and reason, and sign it before a notary or as the clerk directs.
- 3
File the petition with the clerk, pay the filing fee (roughly $100–$250 depending on the county), and bring a birth certificate plus proof of identity and residency.
- 4
Attend the short hearing before the judge; if granted, the judge signs the order changing your name.
- 5
Order certified copies of the signed order and use them to update Social Security, Tennessee Driver Services, your US passport, and your accounts.
Official forms
Every link goes to the official court or government host — never a paid re-host.
- • Because Tennessee has no statewide name-change form and no statewide fee, the exact cost and which court hears your case vary by county — confirm both with your county court clerk before filing.
- • Under T.C.A. § 29-8-101, people convicted of first- or second-degree murder and people required to register as sexual offenders are permanently barred from changing their name (except a name change resulting from marriage).
- • You must have resided in the county where you file, and Tennessee generally expects at least six months of state residency before filing.
Then update your IDs
Once you have the signed order, update Social Security first, then your Tennessee license, then your passport and accounts.
Adult petition name change in nearby states
Adult (Court) Name Change in Tennessee: FAQ
How much does a adult (court) name change cost in Tennessee?
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Tennessee?
How long does it take in Tennessee?
What do I do after the judge signs my order in Tennessee?
Sources
Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:
- www.tncourts.gov/programs/self-help-center
- www.tn.gov/safety/driver-services/helpful-information/dlnamechange.html
See our verification methodology and themaster source list.