how much does an attorney charge for doing a legal name change

by Rosario Abshire 8 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.

Where can I find a lawyer to change my name?

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.

Is there a fee to change your name in Florida?

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 …

Do you have to file a name change in court?

Jun 05, 2020 · A name change can affect everything from your personal credit cards to important legal documents, such as your birth certificate or passport. While it is possible to complete the process on your own and though not every state requires you to file a name change petition with the court, you may want to speak to a local family lawyer just in case.

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How much does it charge to change your name?

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.Jan 4, 2022

Is total legal a good way to change your name?

Yes. You can use TotalLegal to change your name or that of a minor child.

How long does it take to change your name?

How long does it take to legally change my name? Name change actions can take anywhere from a day, to six (6) months (sometimes even longer). The time it takes for name change actions to be ordered/decreed varies not only from state to state but from county to county and courthouse to courthouse as well.

What is an illegal name change?

In the United States, a legal name change can be obtained through a court order and any US citizen has the right to change his/her name through either common law or court procedure. ... For instance, it is illegal for a person to change his/her name to that of a celebrity, with the intent to impersonate that celebrity.

What to do when you get your name changed?

Updating your Birth Certificate: Typically, you will need to contact the state's Office of Vital Statistics and provide an original copy of the court-ordered name change and pay the required fee to have your name changed. Legally changing your name is an important step in embracing your identity.Apr 15, 2021

How long does it take to change name with social security?

While you must provide the SSA with several documents and the completed SSA Form SS-5, the process is simple and takes only a few weeks to get a new card. Once you've changed your Social Security card to your new name, you can make changes to other documents, such as your driver's license, much more easily.Jan 4, 2022

What state is the easiest to change your name?

Easiest States To Change Your Name Still, every state except Hawaii will provide you with a Court Order that can be used to make changes with your ID and Official Records. Because of Full Service, by EZ Name Change, California's process is considered one of the easiest and surest ways to get a name legally changed.

How can I change my name legally in USA?

Steps to Legally Change Your NamePetition to change your name by filling out a name change form, an order to show cause for legally changing your name, and a decree to legally change your name.Take these forms to the court clerk and file them along with your state's required filing fees.More items...•Jul 22, 2020

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

How Do You Change a Name as an Adult?

There are several requirements that must be completed before a person can petition to have their name changed. Depending on the reason why they are changing their name and also on the relevant laws in their particular jurisdiction, these requirements generally include:

What Can Prevent Me From Changing My Name?

There are certain scenarios in which a person might be prohibited from having their name changed. In some cases, they may have to provide notice to a person who has an interest in their name change.

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.

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