Minor Child Name Change in Rhode Island: Steps, Cost & Forms

Verified against Rhode Island Municipal Probate Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A minor child name change in Rhode Island is filed in the Municipal Probate Court (city or town of residence), costs about $30–$150 (typical $100, varies by county), and requires no newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 2–8 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

$30–$150 (typical $100, varies by county)

Same locally-set probate filing fee as an adult petition; varies by city/town. Fee waiver available via an Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis.

Court

Municipal Probate Court (city or town of residence)

The Probate Court of the city or town where you live

Timeline

2–8 weeks

Step by step

1
Complete Form PC-8.1 (Change of Name) on behalf of the child, listing the child's current and requested names and the reason for the change.
2
Give notice to the child's other parent (or legal guardian); if both parents do not consent, the court will require notice and may hold a contested hearing focused on the child's best interest.
3
File Form PC-8.1 with the Probate Court in the city or town where the child lives and pay the local filing fee, or request a fee waiver for hardship.
4
Attend the hearing scheduled by your town's Probate Court; the judge decides based on the best interest of the child.
5
Obtain certified copies of the signed order and 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.

Form	Code	Official link
Petition for Change of Name	PC-8.1	Open ↗
Rhode Island Secretary of State — Probate Forms library	—	Open ↗

Newspaper publication: Not required — No newspaper publication is required for a minor name change under the June 2024 amendment to R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-22-28.

Background check: Background check sometimes required

Good to know in Rhode Island:

• Both parents generally must receive notice of a minor's name-change petition; if a parent objects or cannot be located, ask the local Probate Court how notice or consent should be handled.
• The court weighs the child's best interest, not simply the requesting parent's preference.

Then update your IDs

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

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Minor child name change in nearby states

Montana →Delaware →Maine →South Dakota →

Minor Child Name Change in Rhode Island: FAQ

How much does a minor child name change cost in Rhode Island?

About $30–$150 (typical $100, varies by county), filed in the Municipal Probate Court (city or town of residence). Same locally-set probate filing fee as an adult petition; varies by city/town. Fee waiver available via an Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis..

Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Rhode Island?

No. Rhode Island does not require newspaper publication for this type of name change.

Do both parents have to agree to change a child's name in Rhode Island?

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. Both parents generally must receive notice of a minor's name-change petition; if a parent objects or cannot be located, ask the local Probate Court how notice or consent should be handled.

How long does it take in Rhode Island?

Typically 2–8 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 Rhode Island?

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.

We're re-confirming some fee details for this state against the county court. Always confirm the exact current fee with your court clerk before you file.