Minor Child Name Change in Texas: Steps, Cost & Forms
Verified against Texas District Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.
A minor child name change in Texas is filed in the District Court, costs about $150–$360 (typical $350, varies by county), and requires no newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 4–8 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
Same civil/family filing fee as an adult petition (Bexar $350 confirmed); waivable with a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs
District Court in the county where you live
Step by step
- 1
Use the TexasLawHelp child name-change kit — either both parents file together (FM-NCC1 kit) or one parent files and serves notice on the other parent.
- 2
If the other parent does not join the petition, that parent must be served/notified and given a chance to respond before the court will rule.
- 3
A child age 10 or older must sign a written Child's Consent to Name Change — the court cannot change a 10+ child's name without it.
- 4
File the petition in the District Court where the child lives, pay or waive the fee, and attend the hearing.
- 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.
- • Both parents generally must join or be notified, and a child 10 or older must consent in writing.
- • The petition is filed in the county where the child lives, which may differ from a filing parent's county.
Then update your IDs
Once you have the signed order, update Social Security first, then your Texas license, then your passport and accounts.
Minor child name change in nearby states
Minor Child Name Change in Texas: FAQ
How much does a minor child name change cost in Texas?
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Texas?
Do both parents have to agree to change a child's name in Texas?
How long does it take in Texas?
What do I do after the judge signs my order in Texas?
Sources
Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:
- guides.sll.texas.gov/name-changes/children
- guides.sll.texas.gov/name-changes/adults
- www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/how-change-information-your-driver-license-or-id-card
See our verification methodology and themaster source list.