How to Legally Change a Name Without Cost
If you are changing your name due to marriage, divorce, or adoption, you will be able to do so at no cost, simply by taking your final legal decree declaring your new status to the Social Security Administration, passport office and Department of Motor Vehicles. They will then be able to issue papers reflecting the new name for no fees above what you would otherwise pay for replacement documents. If you wish to change your name for other reasons, such as personal preference, you will need to petition your local court for a name change.
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Instructions
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Go to the local Legal Aid office. Legal Aid offers free advice from licensed attorneys at no cost if you meet certain income requirements. Legal Aid counsel will help you find the pertinent statutes and assist you in drafting your documents to petition the court for a name change. Keep in mind that the specific requirements may vary based on your location, so it important that you research the court's procedures.
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Get a free consultation with a private attorney. Most private practice attorneys offer free initial consultations. While it is unlikely that the attorney will draft documents for you for free, he may be able to point you in the direction of the rules and statutes you will need to read to petition for a name change.
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Draft a Petition for Name Change stating the reasons for requesting a name change. Your document needs to outline your current name, what you would like your name changed to and why you are requesting that your name be legally changed. You must also certify that you are not requesting a name change to evade legal obligations such as debts, liens or arrest warrants. Finally, you need to sign the document and include your contact information, including your mailing address, phone number and email address.
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File your Petition for Name Change with the Clerk of the Court. Once you file your petition with the Court, you need to pay filing fees for the Clerk to accept it. In voluntary matters where there is no legal reasoning for the petition beyond personal preference, courts will not waive filing fees. If you are unable to afford the filing fees and believe you must change your name for legal reasons, you will need to file a separate request for a filing fee waiver and financial affidavit available through Legal Aid or the Clerk's Office.
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Attend your hearing. Once you have filed a petition with the Clerk of the Court, the judge will schedule a hearing date where he will review the merits of your name change matter. If it is granted, you will be issued a decree stating that your name has been legally changed.
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