Family · Name Change
Adult Name Change in California
How to legally change your name as an adult in California: whether you must publish notice, the approximate court fee, whether a background check is required, and the steps. Cited to the statute or court.
The name-change process in California
The steps in order, whether publication or a background check applies, and the waivers.
| The process | What it means |
|---|---|
| 1. File the petition | File the Petition for Change of Name (form NC-100) and the order forms with the superior court in your county, and pay the filing fee or request a fee waiver. |
| 2. Publish the order | The court issues an Order to Show Cause, which you publish in a newspaper of general circulation once a week for four successive weeks before the hearing, unless the court grants a safety exemption. Publication cost is separate, roughly $50 to $200. |
| 3. Hearing or approval | If no one objects, many courts grant the change without a personal appearance. The judge signs the Decree Changing Name (NC-130). |
| 4. Certified copies and updates | Buy certified copies of the decree from the clerk, then update Social Security, the DMV, your passport, and other records. |
| Requirements and waivers | What it means |
|---|---|
| No fingerprint background check | California does not require fingerprints or a criminal background check for a standard adult name change. |
| Safety exemption from publication | An applicant whose safety would be jeopardized may ask the court to skip publication and seal the record. |
| Lawful, non-fraudulent reason | You must be an adult county resident with a lawful reason, and you may not change your name to evade creditors, a judgment, or a criminal record. |
What you can do right now
Concrete, neutral steps to start a name change in California. This is legal information, not legal advice.
- Start with the NC-100 packet
File the Petition for Change of Name (NC-100) with your county superior court, and ask for a fee waiver if you cannot afford the fee.
- Publish for four weeks
Publish the Order to Show Cause once a week for four successive weeks before the hearing, unless you qualify for a safety exemption.
- Get certified copies of the decree
After the judge signs the NC-130, buy several certified copies; agencies like Social Security and the DMV each want one.
- Ask about the safety exemption if at risk
If publication would jeopardize your safety, ask the court to skip it and seal the record. A court self-help center can explain how.
Court forms, fees, and publication rules are set locally. This resource points to the court self-help or an attorney who can guide you.
→ California Courts · Name Change Self-HelpThis is general legal information, not legal advice. Fees, publication, and background-check rules are set by local courts and change, so confirm the current requirements with your clerk or a licensed attorney.
The California name-change process in detail
Changing your name as an adult in California is a court petition, and its two defining features are publication and cost. You file a Petition for Change of Name (NC-100) with your county superior court, then publish the court’s Order to Show Cause in a newspaper once a week for four successive weeks before the hearing. Many courts grant an unopposed change without making you appear, and the judge signs a decree you then use to update your records. The filing fee runs roughly $435 to $465, but it is set by each county, so treat that as a range and confirm the exact amount with your court; publication and certified copies are separate costs. California does not require fingerprints or a background check, which sets it apart from Texas and Florida. If publication would put you at risk, you can ask the court to skip it and seal the record, a safety exemption California has expanded in recent years. This covers a standalone adult petition; taking a spouse’s name in marriage or restoring a name in divorce is a separate, easier track.
Common questions
Do I have to publish a name change in the newspaper in California?
Usually yes. You publish the court’s Order to Show Cause once a week for four successive weeks before the hearing, unless the court grants a safety exemption and seals the record.
How much does a name change cost in California?
Roughly $435 to $465 for the court filing fee, though it is set by each county, so confirm locally. Publication and certified copies are separate costs, and a fee waiver is available.
Do I need a background check for a California name change?
No. California does not require fingerprints or a criminal background check for a standard adult name change.
How long does a California name change take?
Roughly six to twelve weeks, mostly driven by the four-week publication window and the scheduled hearing date.
Not legal advicePlainStatute provides plain-language summaries of public law for general information only. This is not legal advice. Statutes change; always confirm current requirements with the official source linked above before acting.