Legal Name Change Cost in Pennsylvania (2026)
A legal adult name change in Pennsylvania costs $250–$400 in court filing fees, filed in the Court of Common Pleas. County-set; a full name change needs publication in two newspapers plus a background check. 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 Pennsylvania
- Name-change filing fee: $250–$400
- Court: Court of Common Pleas
- 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. County-set; a full name change needs publication in two newspapers plus a background check. Getting divorced? A name restoration is free in the decree — see our Pennsylvania divorce filing fee page.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a legal name change cost in Pennsylvania?
The court filing fee is $250–$400, filed in the Court of Common Pleas. Newspaper publication and document updates can add to that.
Can I change my name for free in a Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania name change in the newspaper?
Yes — Pennsylvania requires you to publish notice of the name change in a local newspaper, which adds roughly $40–$150 on top of the filing fee.