Skip to content
Name Change Atlas
All StatesToolsWho to NotifyGuidesCost & Steps Calculator

Adult Name Change in District of Columbia: Steps, Cost & Forms

Verified against Superior Court of the District of Columbia — Civil Actions Branch and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

An adult name change in District of Columbia is filed in the DC Superior Court — Civil Actions Branch, costs about $60, and requires no newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 4–10 weeks. You'll need the forms below and certified copies of the signed order to update your IDs.

Your personalized plan

Pick your state and situation for your exact filing fee, court, forms, and ordered steps.

Free · no signup

Showing your state. Change the situation below to compare.

Your situation

What it costs

Filing fee
$60

Filing fee is $60, payable by cash or money order; waivable with the Application to Proceed Without Prepayment of Costs, Fees, or Security if you qualify on low income

Court
DC Superior Court — Civil Actions Branch

Civil Actions Branch of the DC Superior Court (500 Indiana Ave. NW, Washington, DC)

Timeline
4–10 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    Complete the Application for Change of Name (Adult) with your current and requested names and the required supporting documents.

  2. 2

    File the application with the Civil Actions Branch of the DC Superior Court and pay the $60 filing fee, or submit the Application to Proceed Without Prepayment of Costs, Fees, or Security to request a fee waiver.

  3. 3

    Rather than newspaper publication, provide notice of your application to interested parties such as creditors, as directed by Superior Court Civil Rule 205.

  4. 4

    Attend the hearing before the judge and confirm you are not changing your name to defraud creditors or evade the law.

  5. 5

    Obtain the signed order changing your name and certified copies, then update Social Security, the DC DMV, your US passport, and your accounts.

Official forms

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

FormCodeOfficial link
Application for Change of Name (Adult)—Open ↗
Application for Change of Name (Adult) — full fillable application—Open ↗
Instructions for Applying for Change of Name—Open ↗
Superior Court Civil Rule 205 (Change of Name or Gender Designation)—Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Not required — DC eliminated the newspaper-publication requirement for name changes under the JaParker Deoni Jones Birth Certificate Equality Amendment Act of 2013 (former D.C. Code § 16-2502 was repealed). Instead of newspaper publication, you notify interested parties such as creditors of your application.
Background check: No background check
Good to know in District of Columbia:
  • • DC no longer requires costly newspaper publication — a modern change that lowers cost and protects privacy compared with the old three-week publication rule.
  • • The low $60 fee is waivable for applicants who receive qualifying public benefits or have low income.

Then update your IDs

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

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

Adult petition name change in nearby states

Wyoming →Vermont →Alaska →North Dakota →

Adult (Court) Name Change in District of Columbia: FAQ

How much does a adult (court) name change cost in District of Columbia?
About $60, filed in the DC Superior Court — Civil Actions Branch. Filing fee is $60, payable by cash or money order; waivable with the Application to Proceed Without Prepayment of Costs, Fees, or Security if you qualify on low income.
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in District of Columbia?
No. District of Columbia does not require newspaper publication for this type of name change.
How long does it take in District of Columbia?
Typically 4–10 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 District of Columbia?
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.