Georgia Name Change Costs, Fees & Steps
How Much Does It Cost For an Adult Name Change In Georgia?
Court Cost is $211. Some courts charge less, and some charge more (from $204-290). There are other costs, and the process isn’t simple or free. BUT, you can do this.
Changing Legal Names is a VERY personal and important decision. So, understandably, it isn’t simple or free and you should get a lot of information about costs, and other parts of the process, before getting started.
This article will break down all the costs and the processes where the costs come up. Here’s the Legal Name Change Costs in Georgia, all in one place: Details, itemization and totals.
Itemized Costs - Legal Name Change for an Adult in Georgia
When you legally change your name, you receive a Name Change Document and can get your ID and Official Records changed. In Georgia, that document is called a Final Order Changing Name of Adult and you need a Certified Copy of that to show the ID agencies. At the end of the Name Change Petition process, upon approval by a Superior Court Judge, you can get a Certified Copy(s) of your Court Order. Each step to get your Certified Copy has a cost associated with it.
The Steps are:
- Prepare a Notarized Petition
- File the Petition at the Superior Court
- Arrange Advertising, Approval Hearing and get your Final Order, upon approval.
- Get the Certified Copy(s) of your Final Order Changing Name of Adult
- Update your ID and Official Records
Georgia Name Change Cost & Fees, Details
1. Cost to Prepare and Notarize a Name Change Petition in Georgia
If you’re comfortable with completing legal forms and have extra time to sort it out correctly, there is no charge for you to complete your own Petition for Change of Name. It may be between 5 and 9 court forms and will likely require hours (maybe many) to do.
Full Service Name Change costs a total of $190, plus the other costs listed below. To hire a private attorney to assist you, figure an extra $400 to $2000 depending on your situation and the attorney.
You must have certain Petition document(s) notarized. Notaries usually charge between $5-10, but can be as much as $100 if you have one come to you.
You must have your Petition properly Notarized or the Superior Court will reject it.
2. Court Filing Fee in Georgia
$211 (example) – The Court Filing Cost in Georgia is between $204 and $290, depending on the county where you live now. Whether you do everything yourself, have EZ Name Change help you, or hire an attorney, the Court Filing cost will apply.
If you can’t afford to pay the court filing costs, you can ask the court to waive your court costs, based on poverty. Even If Court Filing Fees are waived, other costs and fees may still apply.
When you file your name change petition forms, the Superior Court Filing fee must be paid, unless you turn in a properly completed and signed fee waiver request/Affidavit with the Petition.
Contact EZ Name Change to ask for your County’s exact filing fee or about an Affidavit of Poverty/Indigency.
3. Advertising – Public Notice Costs
$165 (example). Name Change Advertising costs between $60-$200, including the cost of the Affidavit/Proof of Publishing. This Advertising, including the Proof of Publication, is required and must be done on time and correctly. One of the Petition documents that must be prepared and filed, is to support this requirement. You pay for the Advertising when your Petition is Filed, or shortly thereafter.
The cost to publish may not be waived if you get an Order on Affidavit of Poverty. The newspaper advertising cost will still have to be paid unless excused. Each County has one authorized publisher with one price. However, those prices vary depending on the publisher’s price in your county.
With FULL SERVICE, EZ Name Change will collect and pay all the Court and Newspaper related costs.
4. Certified Copy Cost - Name Change Court Order in Georgia
$2.50 each. Certified Copies cost $1 to $3 each. A Certified Copy is an Official Record. Your Certified Copy of the Final Order (court order), signed by your judge upon approval, will be honored by every State and Federal Government Agency, and even Internationally. You must have a Certified Copy of your Final Order Changing Name of Adult in order to update your ID and Official Records with Social Security, DDS, Passport, Bank, Professional Licensing, and other core agencies. Many of your relationships won’t need to see a Certified Copy, but the main ID places will.
We recommend that you get 2-5 of them, so figure $10 for Certified Copies.
Summary – TOTAL Costs of Name Change Petition Process for an Adult in Georgia
Typical Full Service TOTAL: $ 584
Only $115 to begin-balance after all documents prepared.
INCLUDES: Superior Court Filing, Newspaper Ads/Proof of Publication, and EZ Full Service. Plus, you will pay Notary ($8) and Certified Copies ($10) directly, during and at the very end of the process. EZ will manage the process, prepare all documents, do the court filing, and guide you when it’s your turn.
These are the current, actual Full Service Total Costs for Gwinnett County. Other counties will be close in price, but may be less or more. We will let you know your county’s actual costs upon your request and, in our normal communications by written confirmation after you begin Questionnaire (Start Now). Even if you request eXpedite ($45 extra), you will only be asked to pay $115 of the total with any credit or debit card, at checkout. After you return your signed Petition, we’ll ask for the balance of $451 (typically). You paid $115 to start, and $8 for a Notary and you’ll pay another $10 for Certified Copies of your Final Order Changing Name at the end of the process. $584, TOTAL.
There’s a reason EZ Name Change is the only 5-Star Name Change Service. A lot of reasons, actually.
DIY Cost to Change Name in Georgia
$394 (typical DIY) You will pay all the same costs for the Legal Name Change process if you do everything yourself. Doing it all yourself will save the EZ FULL SERVICE fee ($190), so your costs would typically be about $394 without Full Service.
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