How Much Does It Cost To Change Your Child’s Name In Illinois?
Child Name Change Costs in Illinois
Changing a Child’s Last Name is a big deal. And, sometimes you want to change your child’s first or middle names too. Name Change Illinois doesn’t take long and It’s not free or simple But, it’s always very personal and really important to get Your Child’s Name exactly the way it should be, right. Keep reading for complete information about itemized costs for the Child Name Change Process in Illinois.
Legal Name Change is commonly understood to mean the process of getting a Circuit Court Order stating that your child’s existing legal name has been changed to a new legal name,…the one you want. To get that Court Order, you have to go through an established legal process correctly, be approved and have your Court Order signed by a judge of the Circuit Court.
The Child Name Change Costs in Illinois are based on the legal process itself, not how much, or how little of a name you’re changing. It doesn’t matter whether you want to change the first, middle or last names…or the whole, entire name. Any part, even if it’s just one letter, must go through a Process…the same Process, called “Name Change”. If you want the New spelling printed on ID or Official Records issued by the government, you need a Court Order, which is also sometimes called a Name Change Document.
Just do everything carefully and correctly, and it will turn out alright, upon approval. Or, have the Specialists at EZ Name Change help you, and you know it will be done right.
Summary of Costs to Change a Child’s Name
The total costs will depend on whether both parents agree to the child’s name change, what county you live in now, and how many Certified Copies you want. Here’s an approximate summary of what you need to spend if you have us do your Petition, with FULL SERVICE, and both parents consent to the name change:
- Full Service Petition $190
- Court Filing Fee $324 (Typical – can be 178-388, depending on county)
- Publishing $90 (Average – can be between $50 and $140)
Total Full Service Costs to Change Child’s Name = $604* – (approx., add costs for serving the other Parent if appropriate). You would pay $115 of it when you start and then the balance after you return the signed Petition in our Return Envelope.
PLUS EITHER
*Notary $5.00-$25 – If other consenting parent can not be at the Approval Hearing. If the other parent agrees to the Name Change and WILL join you at the Hearing to Approve, no Notary or other costs are needed.
OR
*Certified Mail $15, or $60 for Sheriff-to Serve non-consenting other parent OR
*Publish in Newspaper $90 (Typical, can be 50-300, depending on county) if address unknown for non-consenting parent on birth certificate without termination of rights.
Other Costs – Certified Copy(s) $10.00 (4 Certified Copies, paid directly to the court, upon approval).
Categories of Costs to Change Your Child’s Name
There are 4 categories of Child Name Change Costs in Illinois:
- The Petition Paperwork
- Court Filing
- Legal Notifications, if any
- Certified Copy(s) of Order (Court Order), upon Approval
The Petition Paperwork
The “Petition” is actually a set of 5-9 or more name change documents. First, fill them all out and file them in a proper Circuit Court. You can fill out all the forms yourself or you can have EZ Name Change prepare it all for you. You can get blank forms, at no cost, from any Illinois Circuit Court. We charge an industry low $190 to help with all the Petition documents, handle all the court filing and payment, and arrange and pay for the required newspaper publications, if any are required. Or, you can have a lawyer do this for you but be prepared to spend another $400-$2000 or more for that. You won’t have to spend any money to do them all yourself, but if you decide that’s best for you, be prepared to spend a chunk of time – many hours. If your Petition isn’t complete, or if it is incorrectly prepared or pursued, it can mean delays or denial (see Illinois Code § 19-12-1).
Filing Your Petition
The Illinois Courts charge a standard Filing Fee, which is subject to change at any time by the State and/or County. As of 2023, the Court Filing costs are typically $324 but can be as much as $388 or as little as $178, depending on where you live now.
Multiple children’s names can be changed in one Petition Filing if conditions qualify, and the Petition is prepared correctly. Also, filing costs don’t change whether one or both parents consent to the proposed name change.
The Circuit Court can waive their fees for Filing and Certified Copies if you qualify. With FULL SERVICE, ask if we can help you with the forms to Request to Waive Court Costs, at no extra charge, when you begin.
Consent and Notice
When Petitioning to Change a Child’s Name, Illinois Law (see GA Code § 19-12-1 (d)) requires that you either get the consent of the other parent(s) or give Notice unless the other parent’s parental rights were terminated. If the other parent is going to attend the Approval Hearing with you, then consent can be proved at that appearance. Otherwise, you have to do certain things that will cost some money, depending on the situation.
You can get the other parent’s notarized written consent for the cost of a Notary, which can be between $5 – $25 or more, depending on how you hire the Notary. Or, you can Serve Notice, either by Certified Mail (RRR with tracking) or through the Sheriff, which will usually cost between $15 and $60. If you can’t find the other parent, you can Serve by Publication, which will cost about $90, but can be as much as $300 or as little as $50, depending on your County.
You can request exemption from having to give Notice if doing so would put your child(ren) in danger. A judge will decide to waive that requirement for you, or not.
Certified Copies
Most of all, get a Court Clerk to stamp and Certify your Court Order after your judge signs it. Social Security, Birth Certificate, School, Passport, etc., will ask you to show them a Certified Copy to prove that you changed Your Child’s Name, legally. Each Certified Copy costs $2.50 each (some counties charge a little more), and you get them from the Clerk of that same court. You can order as many as you want. We recommend you get 2-4. Get an extra one if you’re going to get a birth certificate amended.
Shouldn’t Your Child Have the Right Name?
The #1 Rated Name Change Service in Illinois
We take care of ALL the court forms, filings, and appointments!
Haven’t you waited long enough?
or
Call (818) 505-6189
Privacy Policy
We take privacy very seriously. Our Privacy Policy is published and available for you to review anytime through our website link found at the bottom of every website page. We don’t ask for or allow access to your information, for any reason, except for our use to prepare your required court documents. We destroy your information after it’s no longer needed to support your Name Change Petition process. We maintain a high-security website badge and use encrypted data transfer systems. Your privacy questions are welcome.
