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

Minor Child 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

A minor child 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

Same $60 filing fee as an adult application; waivable with the Application to Proceed Without Prepayment of Costs, Fees, or Security

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

    A parent or legal guardian completes the Application for Change of Name for a minor, naming the child and the requested name.

  2. 2

    Give notice of the application to the child's other parent and any other interested parties, as directed by Superior Court Civil Rule 205.

  3. 3

    File the application with the Civil Actions Branch, pay or waive the $60 fee, and attach the child's supporting documents such as a certified birth certificate.

  4. 4

    Attend the hearing; the judge decides based on the best interest of the child.

  5. 5

    Obtain the signed order and certified copies, then update the child's Social Security record, birth record, and school and passport records.

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 application adapted for a minor, filed by a parent or guardian)—Open ↗
Superior Court Civil Rule 205 (Change of Name or Gender Designation)—Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Not required — As with adult name changes, DC does not require newspaper publication for a minor's name change; interested parties, including the other parent, are given notice instead.
Background check: No background check
Good to know in District of Columbia:
  • • The other parent must receive notice of the application so the court can consider that parent's position.
  • • The judge weighs the child's best interest, not simply the filing parent's preference.

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 →

Minor child name change in nearby states

Wyoming →Vermont →Alaska →North Dakota →

Minor Child Name Change in District of Columbia: FAQ

How much does a minor child name change cost in District of Columbia?
About $60, filed in the DC Superior Court — Civil Actions Branch. Same $60 filing fee as an adult application; waivable with the Application to Proceed Without Prepayment of Costs, Fees, or Security.
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.
Do both parents have to agree to change a child's name in District of Columbia?
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. The other parent must receive notice of the application so the court can consider that parent's position.
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.