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How to Legally Change Your Name in North Carolina

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 North Carolina is filed in the Clerk of Superior Court, Special Proceedings (county of residence) and costs about $120. In North Carolina, you must publish a notice in a newspaper, 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.

North Carolina Name-Change Calculator

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North Carolina name change at a glance

Every figure is verified against North Carolina Superior Court (Clerk of Superior Court, Special Proceedings) and .gov sources.

Cost, court, publication requirement, and timeline for each type of name change in North Carolina.
Situation	Court	Filing fee	Publication	Timeline
Marriage	No court needed	$0	—	Depends on ID updates
Divorce	Clerk of Superior Court (Resumption of former name, or through the divorce judgment)	$0–$30	Not required	1–4 weeks
Adult petition	Clerk of Superior Court, Special Proceedings (county of residence)	$120	Required	4–10 weeks
Minor child	Clerk of Superior Court, Special Proceedings (county of residence)	$120	Required	4–10 weeks
Gender identity	Clerk of Superior Court, Special Proceedings (county of residence)	$120	Required	4–10 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–$30 · Clerk of Superior Court (Resumption of former name, or through the divorce judgment)

Adult petition→

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

$120 · Clerk of Superior Court, Special Proceedings (county of residence)

Minor child→

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

$120 · Clerk of Superior Court, Special Proceedings (county of residence)

Gender identity→

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

$120 · Clerk of Superior Court, Special Proceedings (county of residence)

The North Carolina name-change process

Most legal name changes in North Carolina that aren't tied to a marriage or divorce go through the Clerk of Superior Court, Special Proceedings (county of residence). You file where you live — Clerk of Superior Court (Special Proceedings Division) in the county where you live. The filing fee is $120.

After you file, you publish a legal notice in a newspaper. North Carolina also runs a fingerprint or background check on adult petitioners. From filing to a signed order usually takes 4–10 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.

After your order: who to notify

The name change isn't finished at the courthouse. Update Social Security first, then your North Carolina 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 →

North Carolina name change: FAQ

How much does a name change cost in North Carolina?

An adult name change in North Carolina costs about $120, filed in the Clerk of Superior Court, Special Proceedings (county of residence). North Carolina's special-proceeding filing fee for an adult name change is $120, set statewide; the clerk typically accepts only cash, money order, or cashier's check. Separate SBI/FBI background-check fees apply.. Marriage and divorce name changes have no separate court fee.

Do I have to publish a name change in a newspaper in North Carolina?

Yes. In North Carolina, an adult name-change petition requires publishing a legal notice in a newspaper. Before filing, you must post/publish a Notice of Intent to file the application in the courthouse area designated by the clerk, and the application can be filed only after at least 10 days' notice.

How long does a name change take in North Carolina?

A court name change in North Carolina typically takes 4–10 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 North Carolina?

Adult name changes in North Carolina are handled by the Clerk of Superior Court, Special Proceedings (county of residence). You file in clerk of superior court (special proceedings division) in the county where you live.

What do I do after my name change is approved in North Carolina?

Update Social Security first (free, Form SS-5), then your North Carolina 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.