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Adult Name Change in New York: Steps, Cost & Forms

Verified against New York Supreme Court / County Court (NYC Civil Court) and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

An adult name change in New York is filed in the Supreme or County Court (NYC Civil Court in New York City), costs about $210, and requires a newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 4–12 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
$210

$210 in Supreme/County Court statewide; $65 in NYC Civil Court. Fee waiver available, but you still pay the newspaper's publication charge.

Court
Supreme or County Court (NYC Civil Court in New York City)

Supreme or County Court in the county where you live (in New York City, any NYC Civil Court)

Timeline
4–12 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    Complete the Name/Sex Designation Change Petition (Individual Adult) — you can use the free CourtHelp DIY Adult Name Change Petition Program to generate it.

  2. 2

    File the petition with the Supreme or County Court where you live (or any NYC Civil Court) and pay the fee, or request a fee waiver.

  3. 3

    After the judge signs the Order Granting Name/Sex Designation Change (Form UCS-NCO1), publish your new name in the newspaper the court designates within 20 days — unless the court waived publication for safety under Civil Rights Law § 64-a.

  4. 4

    File the newspaper's Affidavit of Publication with the clerk within 90 days; your name change is legally complete only after this is filed (or after a sealed/waived order).

  5. 5

    Order certified copies of the order and use them to update Social Security, the NY DMV, your passport, and your accounts.

Official forms

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

FormCodeOfficial link
Name/Sex Designation Change Petition — Individual Adult—Open ↗
Order Granting Name/Sex Designation Change — Individual AdultUCS-NCO1Open ↗
Adult Name Change Petition Program (free DIY)—Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Required — After the judge signs the order you must publish the new name in a designated newspaper within 20 days, then file the newspaper's Affidavit of Publication with the clerk within 90 days. Publication is waivable and the record sealed for safety under Civil Rights Law § 64-a.
Background check: No background check
Good to know in New York:
  • • New York requires newspaper publication after the order, unless the court waives it and seals the record for personal-safety reasons under Civil Rights Law § 64-a.
  • • Name changes go to Supreme, County, or NYC Civil Court — never Family Court, even for a minor.

Then update your IDs

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

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

Adult petition name change in nearby states

Florida →Pennsylvania →Texas →Illinois →

Adult (Court) Name Change in New York: FAQ

How much does a adult (court) name change cost in New York?
About $210, filed in the Supreme or County Court (NYC Civil Court in New York City). $210 in Supreme/County Court statewide; $65 in NYC Civil Court. Fee waiver available, but you still pay the newspaper's publication charge..
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in New York?
Yes. After the judge signs the order you must publish the new name in a designated newspaper within 20 days, then file the newspaper's Affidavit of Publication with the clerk within 90 days. Publication is waivable and the record sealed for safety under Civil Rights Law § 64-a.
How long does it take in New York?
Typically 4–12 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 New York?
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.