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How to Legally Change Your Name in Nebraska

Filing fee, court, publication rules, official forms, and a free calculator that builds your exact steps. Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

An adult name change in Nebraska is filed in the Nebraska District Court and costs about $89–$178 (typical $144, varies by county). In Nebraska, 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.

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Nebraska name change at a glance

Every figure is verified against Nebraska District Court and .gov sources.

Cost, court, publication requirement, and timeline for each type of name change in Nebraska.
Situation	Court	Filing fee	Publication	Timeline
Marriage	No court needed	$0	—	Depends on ID updates
Divorce	Nebraska District Court (through the dissolution of marriage decree)	$0	Not required	1–4 weeks
Adult petition	Nebraska District Court	$89–$178	Required	6–12 weeks
Minor child	Nebraska District Court	$89–$178	Required	6–12 weeks
Gender identity	Nebraska District Court	$89–$178	Required (waivable)	6–12 weeks

Choose your situation

Marriage→

Take your spouse's name or hyphenate — usually no court petition needed.

No court petition

Divorce→

Restore your former or maiden name through the divorce decree or a short filing.

$0 · Nebraska District Court (through the dissolution of marriage decree)

Adult petition→

Court petition to change an adult's name for any reason not tied to marriage or divorce.

$89–$178 · Nebraska District Court

Minor child→

Petition to change a child's name, with notice or consent rules for both parents.

$89–$178 · Nebraska District Court

Gender identity→

Court name change aligned with gender identity, often with publication waivers.

$89–$178 · Nebraska District Court

The Nebraska name-change process

Most legal name changes in Nebraska that aren't tied to a marriage or divorce go through the Nebraska District Court. You file where you live — District Court in the county where you have lived for at least one year. The filing fee is $89–$178 (typical $144, varies by county), so confirm the exact amount with your county clerk before you file.

After you file, you publish a legal notice in a newspaper. 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, Nebraska treats it more privately: Nebraska uses the standard adult name-change process (publication once a week for four weeks), but transgender petitioners who could be endangered by publication may request a waiver under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-21,271 using the Waiver of Publication form (DC 6:9.5)..

After your order: who to notify

The name change isn't finished at the courthouse. Update Social Security first, then your Nebraska driver's license, then your passport — in that order, because each one checks the last.

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

Nebraska name change: FAQ

How much does a name change cost in Nebraska?

An adult name change in Nebraska costs about $89–$178 (typical $144, varies by county), filed in the Nebraska District Court. Nebraska's statutory district court civil filing fee is about $144; the exact total varies by county and does not include newspaper publication costs. Marriage and divorce name changes have no separate court fee.

Do I have to publish a name change in a newspaper in Nebraska?

Yes. In Nebraska, an adult name-change petition requires publishing a legal notice in a newspaper. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-21,271 the notice of the petition must be published once a week for four (4) consecutive weeks in a local newspaper; publication may be waived by court order if publishing would endanger the petitioner.

How long does a name change take in Nebraska?

A court name change in Nebraska typically takes 6–12 weeks from filing to a signed order. After that, updating Social Security takes about 7–10 business days and a passport 4–6 weeks.

Which court handles name changes in Nebraska?

Adult name changes in Nebraska are handled by the Nebraska District Court. You file in district court in the county where you have lived for at least one year.

What do I do after my name change is approved in Nebraska?

Update Social Security first (free, Form SS-5), then your Nebraska driver's license, then your US passport, and finally banks, employer, and insurance. Use our Who-To-Notify Checklist to order every account you hold.

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.