Legal Name Change Cost in Illinois (2026)
A legal adult name change in Illinois costs $350–$388 in court filing fees, filed in the Circuit Court. Cook County is $388; a name change requires three weeks of newspaper publication. If you're changing your name because of a divorce, you can usually do it for free in the divorce decree instead.
Verified July 2026 from official sources. How we verify fees.
What you'll pay in Illinois
- Name-change filing fee: $350–$388
- Court: Circuit Court
- Free via divorce decree: yes, if restoring a former name
- Newspaper publication: required (extra cost)
Beyond the filing fee
The court fee is only part of the cost. Many states also require you to publish notice of the change in a local newspaper (often $40–$150), and you'll pay small fees to update your Social Security card, driver's license, and passport afterward. Cook County is $388; a name change requires three weeks of newspaper publication. Getting divorced? A name restoration is free in the decree — see our Illinois divorce filing fee page.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a legal name change cost in Illinois?
The court filing fee is $350–$388, filed in the Circuit Court. Newspaper publication and document updates can add to that.
Can I change my name for free in a Illinois divorce?
Yes — restoring a former name is free when requested in the divorce petition or decree, which is why most people do it that way rather than filing a separate petition.
Do I have to publish a Illinois name change in the newspaper?
Yes — Illinois requires you to publish notice of the name change in a local newspaper, which adds roughly $40–$150 on top of the filing fee.