Minor Child Name Change in Indiana: Steps, Cost & Forms
Verified against Indiana Circuit Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.
A minor child name change in Indiana is filed in the Circuit or Superior Court (civil miscellaneous / MI case), costs about $157, 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.
Your personalized plan
Pick your state and situation for your exact filing fee, court, forms, and ordered steps.
What it costs
Same $157 statewide civil filing fee as an adult petition; confirm the exact amount with your county court clerk. Newspaper publication is a separate cost.
Circuit Court (or Superior Court) in the county where you live
Step by step
- 1
File a Verified Petition for Change of Name of a Minor in the Circuit or Superior Court of the county where the child lives; the petition must state in detail the reason for the requested change (IC 34-28-2-2).
- 2
File the other parent's written consent using the Child Name Change With Consent packet, OR use the Child Name Change Without Consent packet and serve the other parent with the petition under the Indiana Trial Rules unless consent is not required under IC 31-19-9.
- 3
Pay the $157 filing fee (or request a waiver) and publish notice once a week for three consecutive weeks, with the last publication at least 30 days before the hearing.
- 4
Attend the hearing; the court decides using the best-interest-of-the-child standard (IC 31-17-2-8), and there is a presumption favoring a support-paying parent who objects to the change.
- 5
Obtain the certified order and update the child's Social Security record (SS-5), school records, and US passport.
Official forms
Every link goes to the official court or government host — never a paid re-host.
- • Both parents (or the guardian if both parents are dead) must generally receive notice or provide written consent; if a parent cannot be located, ask the court about service under the Indiana Trial Rules.
- • The judge weighs the child's best interest, not just a parent's preference, and gives weight to a support-paying parent who objects.
Then update your IDs
Once you have the signed order, update Social Security first, then your Indiana license, then your passport and accounts.
Minor child name change in nearby states
Minor Child Name Change in Indiana: FAQ
How much does a minor child name change cost in Indiana?
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Indiana?
Do both parents have to agree to change a child's name in Indiana?
How long does it take in Indiana?
What do I do after the judge signs my order 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/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.