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Minor Child Name Change in Kentucky: Steps, Cost & Forms

Verified against Kentucky Court of Justice and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A minor child name change in Kentucky is filed in the District Court (or Family/Circuit Court if it already has a related case), costs about $40–$120 (typical $120, varies by county), and requires no newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 4–9 weeks. You'll need the forms below and certified copies of the signed order to update your IDs.

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What it costs

Filing fee
$40–$120 (typical $120, varies by county)

Same county-variable District Court civil fee as an adult petition, plus the ~$8 County Clerk recording fee. Confirm the exact filing fee with your county Circuit Court Clerk.

Court
District Court (or Family/Circuit Court if it already has a related case)

District Court in the county where you live (petitions are filed through the Circuit Court Clerk's office, which serves both courts)

Timeline
4–9 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    Complete Form AOC-295 (Petition for Name Change) naming the child and the requested name, filed by a parent or guardian under KRS 401.020.

  2. 2

    If both parents consent and sign, no separate notice is required; if one parent refuses or is unavailable, serve that parent with the petition and summons.

  3. 3

    File the petition through the Circuit Court Clerk and pay the county filing fee.

  4. 4

    The court holds a hearing no later than 60 days after service and decides based on the child's best interest.

  5. 5

    Get the signed AOC-296 order and update the child's Social Security record, school records, and passport.

Official forms

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

FormCodeOfficial link
Petition for Name ChangeAOC-295Open ↗
Name Change OrderAOC-296Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Not required — No newspaper publication is required; notice is given directly to the other parent.
Background check: No background check
Good to know in Kentucky:
  • • Both parents generally must consent or receive notice; a custodial parent cannot change a child's name over the other parent's valid objection.
  • • The court weighs the child's best interest and must hold a hearing within 60 days of service.

Then update your IDs

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

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

Minor child name change in nearby states

Louisiana →Oregon →Alabama →Oklahoma →

Minor Child Name Change in Kentucky: FAQ

How much does a minor child name change cost in Kentucky?
About $40–$120 (typical $120, varies by county), filed in the District Court (or Family/Circuit Court if it already has a related case). Same county-variable District Court civil fee as an adult petition, plus the ~$8 County Clerk recording fee. Confirm the exact filing fee with your county Circuit Court Clerk..
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Kentucky?
No. Kentucky does not require newspaper publication for this type of name change.
Do both parents have to agree to change a child's name in Kentucky?
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. Both parents generally must consent or receive notice; a custodial parent cannot change a child's name over the other parent's valid objection.
How long does it take in Kentucky?
Typically 4–9 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 Kentucky?
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.

We're re-confirming some fee details for this state against the county court. Always confirm the exact current fee with your court clerk before you file.