Adult Name Change in Wisconsin: Steps, Cost & Forms
Verified against Wisconsin Circuit Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.
An adult name change in Wisconsin is filed in the Wisconsin Circuit Court (Civil), costs about $165, and requires a newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 6–12 weeks. You'll need the forms below and certified copies of the signed order to update your IDs.
Your personalized plan
Pick your state and situation for your exact filing fee, court, forms, and ordered steps.
What it costs
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
Circuit Court in the county where you live
Step by step
- 1
Complete Form CV-450 (Petition for Name Change for Adult or Minor 14 or Older) with your current name, requested name, and the reason, and file it in duplicate with the clerk of circuit court in the county where you live.
- 2
Pay the $164.50 statutory filing fee, or ask the court to waive it with a Petition for Waiver of Fees and Costs under Wis. Stat. 814.29 if you cannot afford it.
- 3
Obtain Form CV-460 (Notice of Name Change Hearing) and publish it as a Class 3 notice — once a week for three consecutive weeks — in an authorized newspaper in your county before the hearing date.
- 4
Attend the hearing; if the judge grants the petition, obtain the signed Form CV-470 (Order for Name Change).
- 5
Order certified copies of the CV-470 order and use them to update Social Security, the Wisconsin DMV, your US passport, and your accounts.
Official forms
Every link goes to the official court or government host — never a paid re-host.
- • Wisconsin does NOT require fingerprinting or a criminal background check for a standard adult name change.
- • You cannot use a name change to avoid a debt or conceal a criminal record; the court screens for this.
- • If publication could endanger you, file Form CV-451 (Petition for Confidential Name Change) instead and ask the judge to waive publication and seal the records under Wis. Stat. 786.37(4).
Then update your IDs
Once you have the signed order, update Social Security first, then your Wisconsin license, then your passport and accounts.
Adult petition name change in nearby states
Adult (Court) Name Change in Wisconsin: FAQ
How much does a adult (court) name change cost in Wisconsin?
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Wisconsin?
How long does it take in Wisconsin?
What do I do after the judge signs my order in Wisconsin?
Sources
Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:
- www.wicourts.gov/services/public/selfhelp/namechange.htm
- www.wicourts.gov
- wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/license-drvs/rnew-and-chge/name-change.aspx
See our verification methodology and themaster source list.