Minor Child Name Change in Arkansas: Steps, Cost & Forms

Verified against Arkansas Circuit Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A minor child name change in Arkansas is filed in the Arkansas Circuit Court, costs about $150–$175 (typical $165, varies by county), and requires no newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 3–8 weeks. You'll need the forms below and certified copies of the signed order to update your IDs.

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What it costs

Filing fee

$150–$175 (typical $165, varies by county)

Same circuit court civil filing fee as an adult petition (base $150 under § 21-6-403, commonly about $165); confirm with your county circuit clerk

Court

Arkansas Circuit Court

Circuit Court in the county where you live

Timeline

3–8 weeks

Step by step

1
Prepare a verified Petition for Change of Name for the minor under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-2-101, filed by a parent or guardian in the circuit court where the child lives.
2
Obtain both parents' notarized written consent; if the non-filing parent does not consent, that parent must be served with notice and given a chance to object, and you must make every effort to locate and notify them even if their whereabouts are unknown.
3
File the petition and Civil Cover Sheet, pay or waive the fee, and present the case to a circuit judge, who decides on the child's best interest.
4
File the signed order and order certified copies to update the child's Social Security record, school records, and passport.

Official forms

Every link goes to the official court or government host — never a paid re-host.

Form	Code	Official link
Arkansas Judiciary court forms (Civil Cover Sheet)	—	Open ↗

Newspaper publication: Not required — No newspaper publication; instead the non-filing parent must be served with notice and given a chance to object.

Background check: No background check

Good to know in Arkansas:

• Both parents' notarized consent is expected; a non-consenting parent must be served and given the chance to object.
• Forms and local requirements vary by county because Arkansas has no statewide standardized minor name-change form.

Then update your IDs

Once you have the signed order, update Social Security first, then your Arkansas license, then your passport and accounts.

Who to notify →Build my checklist →See my timeline →

Minor child name change in nearby states

Nevada →Mississippi →Iowa →Kansas →

Minor Child Name Change in Arkansas: FAQ

How much does a minor child name change cost in Arkansas?

About $150–$175 (typical $165, varies by county), filed in the Arkansas Circuit Court. Same circuit court civil filing fee as an adult petition (base $150 under § 21-6-403, commonly about $165); confirm with your county circuit clerk.

Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Arkansas?

No. Arkansas does not require newspaper publication for this type of name change.

Do both parents have to agree to change a child's name in Arkansas?

Both parents generally must be notified. If the other parent objects or can't be found, the court decides based on the child's best interest. Both parents' notarized consent is expected; a non-consenting parent must be served and given the chance to object.

How long does it take in Arkansas?

Typically 3–8 weeks from filing to a signed order, then Social Security (7–10 business days), the DMV, and your passport (4–6 weeks).

What do I do after the judge signs my order in Arkansas?

Order certified copies, then update Social Security first, the DMV next, then your passport, banks, and employer. Our Who-To-Notify Checklist builds the full ordered list.

Sources

Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:

See our verification methodology and themaster source list.

Last verified July 16, 2026Reviewed by the Name Change Atlas Editorial Team against official court and .gov sources.

We're re-confirming some fee details for this state against the county court. Always confirm the exact current fee with your court clerk before you file.