how much does an attorney charge for a name change

by Mrs. Lea Macejkovic DVM 6 min read

How Much Does a Legal Name Change Cost? Without attorney: $0-$350 With attorney: $1,100-$2,300 Whether it's the result of marriage, divorce, adoption, gender change or simply wanting to shed an ill-fitting moniker, legal name changes are commonplace.

Although you do not need a lawyer to obtain a court-ordered name change, it can still cost in the range of $150 – $500 for various court and filing fees. Required documentation varies by state, and fees vary by county.

Full Answer

How much does it cost to change your name?

Jan 04, 2022 · Name changes cost anywhere from under $100 to more than $500, depending on your state. In many states, fees vary in each county, so check with your local probate, family, or district court clerk. Many states still have fees well under $100.

Is there a fee to change your name in Florida?

Nov 20, 2021 · Depending on where you live, the cost of a legal name change can range from less than $100 to over $400. Learn how it works across various states.

Where can I find a lawyer to change my name?

Feb 25, 2022 · You need to go to the Marriage registrar with your divorce certificate to revert your name. Then get the name change approved by the registrar. This costs the same as above – around $10 to $115 depending on your state. After that, you need to change your name in your documents and pay their respective costs.

Do you have to file a name change in court?

Lawyers typically charge $1,100-$3,200 or more for a name change. Texas attorney Michael Granata said his firm charges about $1,000 to complete an adult's uncomplicated name change. Geiger, the Atlanta lawyer, estimated her fee would be …

image

How to change your name in Texas?

If you can’t afford to pay a court filing fee to change your name, you may qualify for a fee waiver. Also known as In Forma Pauperis, you can request this waiver from the court. In most cases, it only will be granted if you meet one of these conditions: 1 You’re eligible for government assistance. 2 Your household income is 125% or less than the poverty level set forth by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 3 You can prove that you do not have enough money to cover the filing fee.

What documents are needed to change your name?

These may include a marriage certificate, divorce decree, certificate of U.S. naturalization, or court order that grants your name change. 2. After the Social Security Administration receives everything it needs from you, you’ll receive a Social Security Card with your new name for free. 2.

Where did Anna Wintour go to college?

She earned a bachelor's degree in marketing at Northwood University in Midland, Michigan, and also has a master's of business administration ...

Can I change my name in California?

As stated, the cost to change your name depends on where you live. The reason you want to change your name may affect the process you must go through. Changing your name in California because you got married, for example, will be much simpler than changing your name there after a divorce or gender change.

Can you change your name on HitchSwitch?

HitchSwitch: HitchSwitch’s services may make sense if you recently got married and want to change your name . MissNowMrs: MissNowMrs is similar to HitchSwitch and can be an option if you’re a newlywed who would like some help with your name change.

Can I change my name without paying a fee?

If you can’t afford to pay a court filing fee to change your name , you may qualify for a fee waiver. Also known as In Forma Pauperis, you can request this waiver from the court. In most cases, it only will be granted if you meet one of these conditions: You’re eligible for government assistance.

Can I change my name on Social Security?

The Cost of a Social Security Name Change. You won’t be charged to change your name with the Social Security Administration if you got married or divorced, were involved in a court order, or decided to for any other reason.

Why do the name change fees vary so much?

Name changes are filed in the county where the person resides. Therefore, each county has the ability to decide what fees are appropriate to that specific court. All fees listed in the chart reflect what is typical in each state, but you may find that your county's fees may differ.

Name Change Filing Fee Waivers

If you think you might not be able to afford to pay the filing fees, you may be able to have them waived. Fee waivers are typicall referred to as an "IFP" ("In Forma Pauperis"). Anyone is entitled to request a fee waiver from the court, but typcially your fee waiver will be granted only if one of the two conditions apply:

How much does it cost to change your name in California?

For example, in Arlington County, Virginia, the filing fee for a name change is $44. In Cook County, Illinois, the fee is $337. In San Diego, California, the total fee for a name change is $435.

Can I change my name?

However, many people find the process intimidating. Additionally, if all of the required steps aren't followed, the court may deny the request for a name change. For these reasons, some people consider hiring an attorney to assist in changing their name.

Do I need a copy of my name to change my name?

Finally, in order to effectively change your name, you need to get certified copies of the court order. This, too, comes at an additional cost, which varies depending on the fee schedule of the jurisdiction.

Kevin Michael Seibert

I agree. The fees quoted by whatever attorney you choose to consult would be based on their hourly rate and how much time they believe may be involved. Fees would likely be not much more, if any, than $1500 if uncontested, by many attorneys. If contested, that's another matter entirely.

James Ross Snell

Assumng that both the mother and father consent, and there is nothing really unusual about the situation, I'd say total fee is likely going to be $1,000 - $1,500.

Mauricio Adonay Herrera

There is no set fee by law. Each attorney would charge any amount the attorney feels is the right amount based on the facts of the case.

image