How to Legally Change Your Name in Texas
Filing fee, court, publication rules, official forms, and a free calculator that builds your exact steps. Last verified July 16, 2026.
An adult name change in Texas is filed in the District Court and costs about $150–$360 (typical $350, varies by county). In Texas, no newspaper publication is required, 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.
Texas Name-Change Calculator
Pick your state and situation for your exact filing fee, court, forms, and ordered steps.
Texas name change at a glance
Every figure is verified against Texas District Court and .gov sources.
| Situation | Court | Filing fee | Publication | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marriage | No court needed | $0 | — | Depends on ID updates |
| Divorce | District Court (through the divorce decree under Texas Family Code § 6.706) | $0 | Not required | 1–4 weeks |
| Adult petition | District Court | $150–$360 | Not required | 4–10 weeks |
| Minor child | District Court | $150–$360 | Not required | 4–8 weeks |
| Gender identity | District Court | $150–$360 | Not required | 4–10 weeks |
Choose your situation
Take your spouse's name or hyphenate — usually no court petition needed.
No court petition
Restore your former or maiden name through the divorce decree or a short filing.
$0 · District Court (through the divorce decree under Texas Family Code § 6.706)
Court petition to change an adult's name for any reason not tied to marriage or divorce.
$150–$360 · District Court
Petition to change a child's name, with notice or consent rules for both parents.
$150–$360 · District Court
Court name change aligned with gender identity, often with publication waivers.
$150–$360 · District Court
The Texas name-change process
Most legal name changes in Texas that aren't tied to a marriage or divorce go through the District Court. You file where you live — District Court in the county where you live. The filing fee is $150–$360 (typical $350, varies by county), so confirm the exact amount with your county clerk before you file.
You do not have to publish a notice in a newspaper. Texas also runs a fingerprint or background check on adult petitioners. From filing to a signed order usually takes 4–10 weeks.
If the fee is a hardship, ask the clerk about a fee waiver — Travis County $350 (+$10 for a name-change certificate) and Bexar County $350 confirmed on official county sites; low-fee counties can run nearer $150. A separate DPS fingerprint/background-check fee also applies. Waivable with a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs.. Once the judge signs your order, order several certified copies; you'll need one for Social Security, the DMV, and your passport.
After your order: who to notify
The name change isn't finished at the courthouse. Update Social Security first, then your Texas driver's license, then your passport — in that order, because each one checks the last.
Texas name change: FAQ
How much does a name change cost in Texas?
Do I have to publish a name change in a newspaper in Texas?
How long does a name change take in Texas?
Which court handles name changes in Texas?
Can I get the name-change filing fee waived in Texas?
What do I do after my name change is approved in Texas?
Sources
Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:
- guides.sll.texas.gov/name-changes/adults
- guides.sll.texas.gov/name-changes/updating-your-documents
- guides.sll.texas.gov/name-changes/divorce
- guides.sll.texas.gov/name-changes/children
- guides.sll.texas.gov/lgbt-law/name-gender-marker-changes
- www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/how-change-information-your-driver-license-or-id-card
See our verification methodology and themaster source list.