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Adult Name Change in California: Steps, Cost & Forms

Verified against California Superior Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

An adult name change in California is filed in the Superior Court (Civil), costs about $435–$485 (typical $435, varies by county), and requires a newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 6–12 weeks. You'll need the forms below and certified copies of the signed order to update your IDs.

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Your situation

What it costs

Filing fee
$435–$485 (typical $435, varies by county)

Waivable with Form FW-001; the fee waiver does NOT cover the separate newspaper publication cost

Court
Superior Court (Civil)

Superior Court in the county where you live

Timeline
6–12 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    Complete Form NC-100 (Petition for Change of Name) and NC-110 (Attachment) with your current and requested names.

  2. 2

    File the petition with the Superior Court civil clerk in the county where you live and pay the filing fee, or file Form FW-001 to request a fee waiver.

  3. 3

    The court issues Form NC-120 (Order to Show Cause); publish it once a week for four weeks in a court-approved newspaper.

  4. 4

    Attend the hearing if the court requires one, then obtain the signed Form NC-130 (Decree Changing Name).

  5. 5

    Order certified copies of the NC-130 decree and use them to update Social Security, the DMV, your passport, and your accounts.

Official forms

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

FormCodeOfficial link
Petition for Change of NameNC-100Open ↗
Order to Show Cause for Change of NameNC-120Open ↗
Decree Changing NameNC-130Open ↗
Request to Waive Court FeesFW-001Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Required — Publish the Order to Show Cause once a week for four weeks in a court-approved newspaper, unless the court waives it for safety.
Background check: No background check
Good to know in California:
  • • California's statewide civil filing fee is about $435; some counties add a small surcharge, so confirm the exact amount with your county Superior Court clerk.

Then update your IDs

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

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

Adult petition name change in nearby states

Texas →Florida →New York →Pennsylvania →

Adult (Court) Name Change in California: FAQ

How much does a adult (court) name change cost in California?
About $435–$485 (typical $435, varies by county), filed in the Superior Court (Civil). Waivable with Form FW-001; the fee waiver does NOT cover the separate newspaper publication cost.
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in California?
Yes. Publish the Order to Show Cause once a week for four weeks in a court-approved newspaper, unless the court waives it for safety.
How long does it take in California?
Typically 6–12 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 California?
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.