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How to Legally Change Your Name in West Virginia

Filing fee, court, publication rules, official forms, and a free calculator that builds your exact steps. Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

An adult name change in West Virginia is filed in the Circuit Court or Family Court and costs about $200. In West Virginia, you must publish a notice in a newspaper, and most cases finish in 6–12 weeks. Marriage and divorce name changes usually need no court petition — the certificate or decree is your legal proof.

West Virginia Name-Change Calculator

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West Virginia name change at a glance

Every figure is verified against West Virginia Circuit Court and .gov sources.

Cost, court, publication requirement, and timeline for each type of name change in West Virginia.
Situation	Court	Filing fee	Publication	Timeline
Marriage	No court needed	$0	—	Depends on ID updates
Divorce	Family Court (through the divorce order)	$0	Not required	1–4 weeks
Adult petition	Circuit Court or Family Court	$200	Required	6–12 weeks
Minor child	Circuit Court or Family Court	$200	Required	6–12 weeks
Gender identity	Circuit Court or Family Court	$200	Sometimes	6–12 weeks

Choose your situation

Marriage→

Take your spouse's name or hyphenate — usually no court petition needed.

No court petition

Divorce→

Restore your former or maiden name through the divorce decree or a short filing.

$0 · Family Court (through the divorce order)

Adult petition→

Court petition to change an adult's name for any reason not tied to marriage or divorce.

$200 · Circuit Court or Family Court

Minor child→

Petition to change a child's name, with notice or consent rules for both parents.

$200 · Circuit Court or Family Court

Gender identity→

Court name change aligned with gender identity, often with publication waivers.

$200 · Circuit Court or Family Court

The West Virginia name-change process

Most legal name changes in West Virginia that aren't tied to a marriage or divorce go through the Circuit Court or Family Court. You file where you live — Circuit Court or Family Court in the county where you live. The filing fee is $200.

After you file, you publish a legal notice in a newspaper. From filing to a signed order usually takes 6–12 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.

After your order: who to notify

The name change isn't finished at the courthouse. Update Social Security first, then your West Virginia driver's license, then your passport — in that order, because each one checks the last.

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

West Virginia name change: FAQ

How much does a name change cost in West Virginia?

An adult name change in West Virginia costs about $200, filed in the Circuit Court or Family Court. Statewide civil filing fee set by West Virginia Code § 59-1-11; newspaper publication is paid separately to the newspaper. Marriage and divorce name changes have no separate court fee.

Do I have to publish a name change in a newspaper in West Virginia?

Yes. In West Virginia, an adult name-change petition requires publishing a legal notice in a newspaper. West Virginia Code § 48-25-101 requires you to publish notice of the name change as a Class I legal advertisement (one publication) in a newspaper in the county, at least ten days before the hearing; you arrange and pay the newspaper directly.

How long does a name change take in West Virginia?

A court name change in West Virginia typically takes 6–12 weeks from filing to a signed order. After that, updating Social Security takes about 7–10 business days and a passport 4–6 weeks.

Which court handles name changes in West Virginia?

Adult name changes in West Virginia are handled by the Circuit Court or Family Court. You file in circuit court or family court in the county where you live.

What do I do after my name change is approved in West Virginia?

Update Social Security first (free, Form SS-5), then your West Virginia driver's license, then your US passport, and finally banks, employer, and insurance. Use our Who-To-Notify Checklist to order every account you hold.

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.