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

Verified against Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A minor child name change in Pennsylvania is filed in the Court of Common Pleas (Civil Division), costs about $142–$350 (typical $300, varies by county), and requires a newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 8–16 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
$142–$350 (typical $300, varies by county)

Similar to the adult petition and set by each county; Philadelphia lists a minor name-change filing fee of $324.73. Confirm the exact amount with your county Prothonotary.

Court
Court of Common Pleas (Civil Division)

Court of Common Pleas in the county where you live

Timeline
8–16 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    The child's parent or guardian files the county Petition for Change of Name for the minor with the Court of Common Pleas, along with the statewide Civil Cover Sheet and a Confidential Information Form if the county requires one.

  2. 2

    Give notice to the child's other parent — either file that parent's written, notarized consent, OR serve the petition on them by both certified and regular mail and file proof of service.

  3. 3

    Publish notice of the hearing in two county newspapers (one the legal journal) and obtain the Prothonotary judgment search as directed by the court.

  4. 4

    Attend the hearing; the judge decides based on the best interest of the child.

  5. 5

    Obtain the signed decree and 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.

FormCodeOfficial link
Petition for Change of Name of a Minor (county Court of Common Pleas form)—Open ↗
Civil Cover Sheet (statewide)—Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Required — The same two-newspaper publication requirement (including the county legal journal) applies to a minor's petition.
Background check: No background check
Good to know in Pennsylvania:
  • • When only one parent petitions, the other parent must either consent in writing (notarized) or be formally served by certified and regular mail — the court weighs the child's best interest, not just a parent's preference.
  • • Filing fees and required minor forms are set at the county level; confirm both with your county Prothonotary.

Then update your IDs

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

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

Minor child name change in nearby states

New York →Illinois →Florida →Ohio →

Minor Child Name Change in Pennsylvania: FAQ

How much does a minor child name change cost in Pennsylvania?
About $142–$350 (typical $300, varies by county), filed in the Court of Common Pleas (Civil Division). Similar to the adult petition and set by each county; Philadelphia lists a minor name-change filing fee of $324.73. Confirm the exact amount with your county Prothonotary..
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Pennsylvania?
Yes. The same two-newspaper publication requirement (including the county legal journal) applies to a minor's petition.
Do both parents have to agree to change a child's name in Pennsylvania?
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. When only one parent petitions, the other parent must either consent in writing (notarized) or be formally served by certified and regular mail — the court weighs the child's best interest, not just a parent's preference.
How long does it take in Pennsylvania?
Typically 8–16 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 Pennsylvania?
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.