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Minor Child Name Change in West Virginia: Steps, Cost & Forms

Verified against West Virginia Circuit Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A minor child name change in West Virginia is filed in the Circuit Court or Family Court, costs about $200, 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
$200

Same $200 civil filing fee as an adult petition under West Virginia Code § 59-1-11; publication is paid separately

Court
Circuit Court or Family Court

Circuit Court or Family Court in the county where you live

Timeline
6–12 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    Prepare a verified petition under West Virginia Code § 48-25-101 naming the child, the child's current and requested name, and both parents, and stating the reason the change serves the child's best interest.

  2. 2

    Serve notice of the petition on the child's other parent, or ask the court how to proceed if that parent joins, consents, or cannot be located.

  3. 3

    File the petition with the Circuit Court (or Family Court) clerk in the county where the child lives, pay the $200 fee (or file the fee waiver Form SCA-C&M201), and publish the Class I legal advertisement at least ten days before the hearing.

  4. 4

    Attend the hearing; the judge decides based on the child's best interest.

  5. 5

    Order certified copies of 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.

FormCodeOfficial link
Financial Affidavit and Application for Waiver of Fees, Costs, or SecuritySCA-C&M201Open ↗
Court Forms — West Virginia Judiciary—Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Required — The name-change notice must be published as a Class I legal advertisement at least ten days before the hearing, and the child's other parent must generally receive notice of the petition.
Background check: No background check
Good to know in West Virginia:
  • • The child's other parent must generally be notified; the court weighs the child's best interest, not just one parent's preference.
  • • If both parents join or consent to the petition, the process is usually smoother, but publication and the best-interest review still apply.

Then update your IDs

Once you have the signed order, update Social Security first, then your West Virginia license, then your passport and accounts.

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

Minor child name change in nearby states

Idaho →Hawaii →Nebraska →New Hampshire →

Minor Child Name Change in West Virginia: FAQ

How much does a minor child name change cost in West Virginia?
About $200, filed in the Circuit Court or Family Court. Same $200 civil filing fee as an adult petition under West Virginia Code § 59-1-11; publication is paid separately.
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in West Virginia?
Yes. The name-change notice must be published as a Class I legal advertisement at least ten days before the hearing, and the child's other parent must generally receive notice of the petition.
Do both parents have to agree to change a child's name in West Virginia?
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. The child's other parent must generally be notified; the court weighs the child's best interest, not just one parent's preference.
How long does it take in West Virginia?
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 West Virginia?
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.