How Much Does it Cost to Change Your Name in California?

Name Change isn’t free or simple. If you don’t know the facts, you can waste hours and hours, and hundreds or thousands of dollars. If you do know the costs to change name California, you can get it done with confidence. Then, you’ll feel the kind of satisfaction you get from having reached a goal and accomplished something important.

The Petition- Costs to Change Name California

We charge $115 to prepare your fully Ready-To-File Petition for you. It will come to you fully filled out with your particular Name Change information for your Name Change Court. We mark it where you need to sign it before filing. Everything else is fully and correctly completed. Step-By-Step instructions customized for Your Name Change in Your Court and everything you need to advertise and give notice are also included. You’ll get newspaper rate and contact information so you won’t pay too much. We also give you a Checklist to help change your ID and records.

You can get all the Petition Forms you need for free from the court, and fill them all out yourself if you want. It’s a little bit complicated so be prepared to spend some hours and get it wrong a few times. If someone says they’ll do it for you for free, better find out what their customer reviews say about them and how much it really costs before choosing who will help you.

Next, You File The Forms – Costs to Change Name California

When you file your name change petition forms, you’ll have to pay the California state processing fee. The cost to file name change forms in California $435. however, some courts charge more (up to $480) but no California Name Change Courts charge less.

The Courts change their filing rates when they need to, which has been all too often in recent years, so you’ll need to check or get current charges from us just before you go to file to know the exact charge for your Petition. You can have Court Fee Waiver Request Forms if you can’t afford the court fees. If the court approves, all the court charges can be waived entirely. Click here to ask for a Court Fee Waiver Application.

$75 –FULL SERVICE Name Change includes Filing and Advertising service (see below). If you get FULL SERVICE, you only need to show up at your Hearing, by appointment, to get your Decree Changing Name upon approval. We do everything else for you.

Then, You Advertise – Costs to Change Name California

If we help you, we’ll give you everything to have this done at the most cost-effective price.
After you file your Petition, you must Advertise ($80 average price) Your Name Change Hearing (see CCP §1277(a)) by running an ad in a qualified newspaper once a week for 4 consecutive weeks. THIS IS NOT ELECTIVE. You must use a court-qualified newspaper to do this. Prices range from $30-$500. Your judge isn’t likely to approve your Name Change without Proof that the Advertising was correctly done.

If 1 Parent, Give Notice – Costs to Change Name California

This applies only for one parent changing a child’s name without the other parent’s consent. If we help you, we’ll give you the forms and easy-to-follow instructions to complete this process.

If one parent doesn’t consent to the Child’s Name Change, California Law(CCP 1277(a)), requires personal service on the other parent if possible. You have a Sheriff, Private Process Server, or any adult (not you). Sheriff’s usually charge $40 and friends usually do it as a favor. Ask us for the costs that may apply to your situation.If the father is not in California, you can serve him by mail. (see CCP 415.40)

Finally, Certified Copy – Costs to Change Name California

A Certified Copy isn’t a regular copy. You have to show a Certified Copy some places. It’s needed with Social Security, DMV, Passport, School, Banks, etc. The courthouse sells them. You usually get them on the same day as your judge signs your Decree. With an approved Fee Waiver, they may be free. They cost $25.50ea and most people get 2 of them, so figure $51.

Having the right name is a big deal.