How to Legally Change Your Name in New Jersey
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 New Jersey is filed in the Superior Court, Law Division — Civil Part and costs about $250. In New Jersey, no newspaper publication is required, and most cases finish in 4–10 weeks. Marriage and divorce name changes usually need no court petition — the certificate or decree is your legal proof.
New Jersey Name-Change Calculator
Pick your state and situation for your exact filing fee, court, forms, and ordered steps.
New Jersey name change at a glance
Every figure is verified against Superior Court of New Jersey and .gov sources.
| Situation | Court | Filing fee | Publication | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marriage | No court needed | $0 | — | Depends on ID updates |
| Divorce | Superior Court, Chancery Division — Family Part (through the divorce judgment or a post-judgment motion) | $0 | Not required | 1–4 weeks |
| Adult petition | Superior Court, Law Division — Civil Part | $250 | Not required | 4–10 weeks |
| Minor child | Superior Court, Chancery Division — Family Part | $250 | Not required | 6–12 weeks |
| Gender identity | Superior Court, Law Division — Civil Part | $250 | Not required | 4–10 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 · Superior Court, Chancery Division — Family Part (through the divorce judgment or a post-judgment motion)
Court petition to change an adult's name for any reason not tied to marriage or divorce.
$250 · Superior Court, Law Division — Civil Part
Petition to change a child's name, with notice or consent rules for both parents.
$250 · Superior Court, Chancery Division — Family Part
Court name change aligned with gender identity, often with publication waivers.
$250 · Superior Court, Law Division — Civil Part
The New Jersey name-change process
Most legal name changes in New Jersey that aren't tied to a marriage or divorce go through the Superior Court, Law Division — Civil Part. You file where you live — Superior Court, Law Division (Civil Part) in the county where you live. The filing fee is $250.
You do not have to publish a notice in a newspaper. From filing to a signed order usually takes 4–10 weeks.
If the fee is a hardship, ask the clerk about a fee waiver — Statewide $250 filing fee; one $250 fee can cover several adult family members filing together. Certified copies of the Final Judgment cost $25 each. Fee is waivable for indigent filers.. Once the judge signs your order, order several certified copies; you'll need one for Social Security, the DMV, and your passport.
For a name change to match your gender identity, New Jersey treats it more privately: New Jersey does NOT require newspaper publication for a name change, and since a 2021 New Jersey Supreme Court order all name-change records are excluded from public access to protect privacy..
After your order: who to notify
The name change isn't finished at the courthouse. Update Social Security first, then your New Jersey driver's license, then your passport — in that order, because each one checks the last.
New Jersey name change: FAQ
How much does a name change cost in New Jersey?
Do I have to publish a name change in a newspaper in New Jersey?
How long does a name change take in New Jersey?
Which court handles name changes in New Jersey?
Can I get the name-change filing fee waived in New Jersey?
What do I do after my name change is approved in New Jersey?
Sources
Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:
- www.njcourts.gov/self-help/name-change
- www.nj.gov/mvc/drivertopics/namechange.htm
- www.njcourts.gov/self-help/name-change/name-change-adults
- www.nj.gov/transgender/name-changes/step-by-step-guide.shtml
See our verification methodology and themaster source list.