How to Legally Change Your Name in Indiana
Filing fee, court, publication rules, official forms, and a free calculator that builds your exact steps. Last verified July 16, 2026.
An adult name change in Indiana is filed in the Circuit or Superior Court (civil miscellaneous / MI case) and costs about $157. In Indiana, you must publish a notice in a newspaper, and most cases finish in 6–12 weeks. Marriage and divorce name changes usually need no court petition — the certificate or decree is your legal proof.
Indiana Name-Change Calculator
Pick your state and situation for your exact filing fee, court, forms, and ordered steps.
Indiana name change at a glance
Every figure is verified against Indiana Circuit Court and .gov sources.
| Situation | Court | Filing fee | Publication | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marriage | No court needed | $0 | — | Depends on ID updates |
| Divorce | Circuit or Superior Court (through the dissolution decree) | $0 | Not required | 1–4 weeks |
| Adult petition | Circuit or Superior Court (civil miscellaneous / MI case) | $157 | Required | 6–12 weeks |
| Minor child | Circuit or Superior Court (civil miscellaneous / MI case) | $157 | Required | 6–12 weeks |
| Gender identity | Circuit or Superior Court (civil miscellaneous / MI case) | $157 | Required (waivable) | 6–12 weeks |
Choose your situation
Take your spouse's name or hyphenate — usually no court petition needed.
No court petition
Restore your former or maiden name through the divorce decree or a short filing.
$0 · Circuit or Superior Court (through the dissolution decree)
Court petition to change an adult's name for any reason not tied to marriage or divorce.
$157 · Circuit or Superior Court (civil miscellaneous / MI case)
Petition to change a child's name, with notice or consent rules for both parents.
$157 · Circuit or Superior Court (civil miscellaneous / MI case)
Court name change aligned with gender identity, often with publication waivers.
$157 · Circuit or Superior Court (civil miscellaneous / MI case)
The Indiana name-change process
Most legal name changes in Indiana that aren't tied to a marriage or divorce go through the Circuit or Superior Court (civil miscellaneous / MI case). You file where you live — Circuit Court (or Superior Court) in the county where you live. The filing fee is $157, so confirm the exact amount with your county clerk before you file.
After you file, you publish a legal notice in a newspaper. a background check may be required depending on your situation. From filing to a signed order usually takes 6–12 weeks.
Once the judge signs your order, order several certified copies right away — you'll hand one to Social Security, the DMV, and the passport agency, in that order.
For a name change to match your gender identity, Indiana treats it more privately: The name-change portion still requires three weekly newspaper publications, but Indiana courts can waive publication and seal the record when publication or a public hearing would threaten the petitioner's safety..
After your order: who to notify
The name change isn't finished at the courthouse. Update Social Security first, then your Indiana driver's license, then your passport — in that order, because each one checks the last.
Indiana name change: FAQ
How much does a name change cost in Indiana?
Do I have to publish a name change in a newspaper in Indiana?
How long does a name change take in Indiana?
Which court handles name changes in Indiana?
What do I do after my name change is approved in Indiana?
Sources
Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:
- www.in.gov/courts/selfservice
- www.in.gov/health/vital-records/marriages
- www.in.gov/bmv/licenses-permits-ids/learners-permits-and-drivers-licenses-overview/drivers-license/amending-your-drivers-license-or-identification-card
See our verification methodology and themaster source list.