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Name Change Atlas

Adult Name Change in Texas: Steps, Cost & Forms

Verified against Texas District Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

An adult name change in Texas is filed in the District Court, costs about $150–$360 (typical $350, varies by county), and requires no newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 4–10 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
$150–$360 (typical $350, varies by county)

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.

Court
District Court

District Court in the county where you live

Timeline
4–10 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    Complete Form FM-NCA-100 (Petition to Change the Name of an Adult) with your current name and the requested name.

  2. 2

    Get a complete, legible set of your fingerprints on a DPS/FBI fingerprint card — Texas Family Code § 45.102 requires this, and the card is sent to DPS for a state and federal (FBI) criminal-history background check.

  3. 3

    File the petition with the District Clerk in the county where you live and pay the filing fee, or file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs to request a waiver.

  4. 4

    Attend the hearing (or submit Form FM-NCA-112, the Adult Name Change Prove-Up Declaration, if the court allows) and obtain the signed Form FM-NCA-200 (Order Changing the Name of an Adult).

  5. 5

    Order certified copies of the FM-NCA-200 order and use them to update Social Security, the Texas DPS driver license, your passport, and your accounts.

Official forms

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

FormCodeOfficial link
Petition to Change the Name of an AdultFM-NCA-100Open ↗
Order Changing the Name of an AdultFM-NCA-200Open ↗
Adult Name Change Prove-Up DeclarationFM-NCA-112Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Not required — Texas does not require newspaper publication for an adult name change.
Background check: Fingerprint/background check required
Good to know in Texas:
  • • A complete set of fingerprints and an FBI/DPS background check are mandatory for an adult name change in Texas — this is the main step that sets the timeline.
  • • Filing fees vary by county; Travis and Bexar both charge $350, but confirm the exact amount with your county district clerk before filing.

Then update your IDs

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

Adult petition name change in nearby states

Adult (Court) Name Change in Texas: FAQ

How much does a adult (court) name change cost in Texas?
About $150–$360 (typical $350, varies by county), filed in the District Court. 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..
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Texas?
No. Texas does not require newspaper publication for this type of name change.
How long does it take in Texas?
Typically 4–10 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 Texas?
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.