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Minor Child Name Change in New Mexico: Steps, Cost & Forms

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

Quick answer

A minor child name change in New Mexico is filed in the New Mexico District Court, costs about $132, and requires no newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 4–10 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
$132

Same District Court filing fee as an adult petition; "free process" fee waiver available for low income

Court
New Mexico District Court

District Court in the county where you live

Timeline
4–10 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    Use the statewide Change of Name (For Persons Under 14) packet; a legal parent or guardian completes and files the Petition for Name Change in the District Court in the county where the child lives (a child 14 or older files for themselves).

  2. 2

    Give notice to every legal parent or guardian: the non-signing parent can sign the Consent to Name Change, or you must arrange for someone else to serve them with a Summons and the Petition.

  3. 3

    File the petition, pay the $132 fee or request a fee waiver, and wait for the court to schedule the hearing.

  4. 4

    Attend the hearing; the judge decides the name change based on the child's best interest and signs the Order Changing Name.

  5. 5

    Record the certified Order with the county clerk, then 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
Change of Name (For Persons Under 14) statewide packet — Petition, Consent to Name Change / Summons, and Order Changing Name—Open ↗
New Mexico District Court name change instructions—Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Not required — No newspaper publication is required; for a child under 14, notice must instead be given to all legal parents or guardians.
Background check: No background check
Good to know in New Mexico:
  • • Section 40-8-1 NMSA requires that notice be given to all legal parents or legal guardians when the child is under 14; the non-signing parent must either sign a Consent to Name Change or be formally served.
  • • The judge weighs the child's best interest before approving the change.
  • • A minor who is 14 or older may file their own name-change petition using the adult packet.

Then update your IDs

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

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

Minor child name change in nearby states

Kansas →Nebraska →Mississippi →Idaho →

Minor Child Name Change in New Mexico: FAQ

How much does a minor child name change cost in New Mexico?
About $132, filed in the New Mexico District Court. Same District Court filing fee as an adult petition; "free process" fee waiver available for low income.
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in New Mexico?
No. New Mexico does not require newspaper publication for this type of name change.
Do both parents have to agree to change a child's name in New Mexico?
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. Section 40-8-1 NMSA requires that notice be given to all legal parents or legal guardians when the child is under 14; the non-signing parent must either sign a Consent to Name Change or be formally served.
How long does it take in New Mexico?
Typically 4–10 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 New Mexico?
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.