How to Legally Change Your Name in Vermont
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 Vermont is filed in the Superior Court — Probate Division and costs about $150. In Vermont, no newspaper publication is required, and most cases finish in 3–10 weeks. Marriage and divorce name changes usually need no court petition — the certificate or decree is your legal proof.
Vermont Name-Change Calculator
Pick your state and situation for your exact filing fee, court, forms, and ordered steps.
Vermont name change at a glance
Every figure is verified against Vermont Superior Court — Probate Division and .gov sources.
| Situation | Court | Filing fee | Publication | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marriage | No court needed | $0 | — | Depends on ID updates |
| Divorce | Superior Court — Family Division (through the divorce decree) | $0 | Not required | 2–8 weeks |
| Adult petition | Superior Court — Probate Division | $150 | Not required | 3–10 weeks |
| Minor child | Superior Court — Probate Division | $150 | Not required | 3–10 weeks |
| Gender identity | Superior Court — Probate Division | $150 | Not required | 3–10 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 · Superior Court — Family Division (through the divorce decree)
Court petition to change an adult's name for any reason not tied to marriage or divorce.
$150 · Superior Court — Probate Division
Petition to change a child's name, with notice or consent rules for both parents.
$150 · Superior Court — Probate Division
Court name change aligned with gender identity, often with publication waivers.
$150 · Superior Court — Probate Division
The Vermont name-change process
Most legal name changes in Vermont that aren't tied to a marriage or divorce go through the Superior Court — Probate Division. You file where you live — Probate Division of the Superior Court in the county where you live. The filing fee is $150.
You do not have to publish a notice in a newspaper. From filing to a signed order usually takes 3–10 weeks.
If the fee is a hardship, ask the clerk about a fee waiver — Statewide probate filing fee for a name change; waivable with the Application to Waive Filing Fees and Service Costs if you cannot afford it. 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 Vermont driver's license, then your passport — in that order, because each one checks the last.
Vermont name change: FAQ
How much does a name change cost in Vermont?
Do I have to publish a name change in a newspaper in Vermont?
How long does a name change take in Vermont?
Which court handles name changes in Vermont?
Can I get the name-change filing fee waived in Vermont?
What do I do after my name change is approved in Vermont?
Sources
Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:
See our verification methodology and themaster source list.