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

Verified against Nebraska District Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A minor child name change in Nebraska is filed in the Nebraska District Court, costs about $89–$178 (typical $144, varies by county), 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.

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What it costs

Filing fee

$89–$178 (typical $144, varies by county)

Same district court civil filing fee as an adult petition; confirm the exact total with your county clerk

Court

Nebraska District Court

District Court in the county where you have lived for at least one year

Timeline

6–12 weeks

Step by step

1
Complete the Petition for Name Change of a Minor Child or Children (DC 6:11.1) and the Confidential Party Information (DC 6:11.7), naming the child and the requested new name.
2
If the other parent agrees, have them sign the Consent for the Name Change of a Minor Child (DC 6:11.3); if they do not consent, serve them the Notice to Parent (DC 6:11.4) by certified mail within five days of publication.
3
File the petition with the clerk of the District Court, pay the filing fee, and publish the legal notice once a week for two consecutive weeks.
4
Attend the hearing; the judge decides based on the best interest of the child.
5
Get the signed Decree for Name Change of a Minor Child (DC 6:11.5) and use certified copies to 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.

Form	Code	Official link
Petition for Name Change of a Minor Child or Children	DC 6:11.1	Open ↗
Consent for the Name Change of a Minor Child	DC 6:11.3	Open ↗
Notice to Parent of Name Change for a Minor Child	DC 6:11.4	Open ↗
Decree for Name Change of a Minor Child	DC 6:11.5	Open ↗

Newspaper publication: Required — The Legal Notice for a minor's name change must be published once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a local newspaper; publication may be waived by court order in cases of danger.

Background check: No background check

Good to know in Nebraska:

• The other parent must consent in writing (DC 6:11.3) or receive notice of the hearing (DC 6:11.4); the court decides based on the child's best interest.
• If a parent cannot be located, ask the court about alternative service before the hearing.

Then update your IDs

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

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

Minor child name change in nearby states

New Mexico →Idaho →Kansas →West Virginia →

Minor Child Name Change in Nebraska: FAQ

How much does a minor child name change cost in Nebraska?

About $89–$178 (typical $144, varies by county), filed in the Nebraska District Court. Same district court civil filing fee as an adult petition; confirm the exact total with your county clerk.

Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Nebraska?

Yes. The Legal Notice for a minor's name change must be published once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a local newspaper; publication may be waived by court order in cases of danger.

Do both parents have to agree to change a child's name in Nebraska?

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 consent in writing (DC 6:11.3) or receive notice of the hearing (DC 6:11.4); the court decides based on the child's best interest.

How long does it take in Nebraska?

Typically 6–12 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 Nebraska?

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.