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How to Legally Change Your Name in Wisconsin

Filing fee, court, publication rules, official forms, and a free calculator that builds your exact steps. Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

An adult name change in Wisconsin is filed in the Wisconsin Circuit Court (Civil) and costs about $165. In Wisconsin, you must publish a notice in a newspaper, and most cases finish in 6–12 weeks. Marriage and divorce name changes usually need no court petition — the certificate or decree is your legal proof.

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Wisconsin name change at a glance

Every figure is verified against Wisconsin Circuit Court and .gov sources.

Cost, court, publication requirement, and timeline for each type of name change in Wisconsin.
SituationCourtFiling feePublicationTimeline
MarriageNo court needed$0—Depends on ID updates
DivorceWisconsin Circuit Court (through the divorce judgment under Wis. Stat. 767.395)$0Not required1–4 weeks
Adult petitionWisconsin Circuit Court (Civil)$165Required6–12 weeks
Minor childWisconsin Circuit Court (Civil)$165Required6–12 weeks
Gender identityWisconsin Circuit Court (Civil)$165Required (waivable)6–12 weeks

Choose your situation

Marriage→

Take your spouse's name or hyphenate — usually no court petition needed.

No court petition

Divorce→

Restore your former or maiden name through the divorce decree or a short filing.

$0 · Wisconsin Circuit Court (through the divorce judgment under Wis. Stat. 767.395)

Adult petition→

Court petition to change an adult's name for any reason not tied to marriage or divorce.

$165 · Wisconsin Circuit Court (Civil)

Minor child→

Petition to change a child's name, with notice or consent rules for both parents.

$165 · Wisconsin Circuit Court (Civil)

Gender identity→

Court name change aligned with gender identity, often with publication waivers.

$165 · Wisconsin Circuit Court (Civil)

The Wisconsin name-change process

Most legal name changes in Wisconsin that aren't tied to a marriage or divorce go through the Wisconsin Circuit Court (Civil). You file where you live — Circuit Court in the county where you live. The filing fee is $165.

After you file, you publish a legal notice in a newspaper. From filing to a signed order usually takes 6–12 weeks.

If the fee is a hardship, ask the clerk about a fee waiver — Statewide statutory fee under Wis. Stat. 814.61 ($75 filing + $68 court support surcharge + $21.50 justice information fee); waivable with a Petition for Waiver of Fees and Costs under Wis. Stat. 814.29. Once the judge signs your order, order several certified copies; you'll need one for Social Security, the DMV, and your passport.

For a name change to match your gender identity, Wisconsin treats it more privately: Wisconsin still uses the standard name-change process, but if publication could endanger you, file Form CV-451 (Petition for Confidential Name Change) and ask the judge to waive publication and seal the records under Wis. Stat. 786.37(4)..

After your order: who to notify

The name change isn't finished at the courthouse. Update Social Security first, then your Wisconsin driver's license, then your passport — in that order, because each one checks the last.

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

Wisconsin name change: FAQ

How much does a name change cost in Wisconsin?
An adult name change in Wisconsin costs about $165, filed in the Wisconsin Circuit Court (Civil). Statewide statutory fee under Wis. Stat. 814.61 ($75 filing + $68 court support surcharge + $21.50 justice information fee); waivable with a Petition for Waiver of Fees and Costs under Wis. Stat. 814.29. Marriage and divorce name changes have no separate court fee.
Do I have to publish a name change in a newspaper in Wisconsin?
Yes. In Wisconsin, an adult name-change petition requires publishing a legal notice in a newspaper. Publish a Class 3 notice (Notice of Name Change Hearing) once a week for three consecutive weeks in an authorized county newspaper before the hearing, unless a judge waives publication because it could endanger you (Wis. Stat. 786.37(4)).
How long does a name change take in Wisconsin?
A court name change in Wisconsin typically takes 6–12 weeks from filing to a signed order. After that, updating Social Security takes about 7–10 business days and a passport 4–6 weeks.
Which court handles name changes in Wisconsin?
Adult name changes in Wisconsin are handled by the Wisconsin Circuit Court (Civil). You file in circuit court in the county where you live.
Can I get the name-change filing fee waived in Wisconsin?
Yes, if you can't afford it. Statewide statutory fee under Wis. Stat. 814.61 ($75 filing + $68 court support surcharge + $21.50 justice information fee); waivable with a Petition for Waiver of Fees and Costs under Wis. Stat. 814.29. Ask your county clerk for the fee-waiver form.
What do I do after my name change is approved in Wisconsin?
Update Social Security first (free, Form SS-5), then your Wisconsin driver's license, then your US passport, and finally banks, employer, and insurance. Use our Who-To-Notify Checklist to order every account you hold.

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.