Family · Name Change
Adult Name Change in Texas
How to legally change your name as an adult in Texas: 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 Texas
The steps in order, whether publication or a background check applies, and the waivers.
| The process | What it means |
|---|---|
| 1. File the petition | File a Petition to Change the Name of an Adult in the district court of your county of residence and pay the filing fee. |
| 2. Fingerprints and background check | Get fingerprinted and submit the card for a Texas DPS and FBI criminal history check. There is no newspaper publication step. |
| 3. Hearing or approval | The judge reviews the petition and background-check results. A short hearing may be held, after which the judge signs an Order Granting Change of Name. |
| 4. Certified copies and updates | Obtain certified copies of the order and update Social Security, your driver license, passport, and other records. |
| Requirements and waivers | What it means |
|---|---|
| Fingerprint background check required | Each petition must include the petitioner’s fingerprints for a DPS and FBI check, at a separate cost of roughly $28 for the check plus about $20 for fingerprinting. |
| Criminal history can complicate it | The check screens for fraud and evasion. A felony record or sex-offender status can complicate or bar the change. |
| Lawful, non-fraudulent reason | The change must be in your interest and not sought to defraud, and you may not change your name to escape creditors or a criminal record. |
What you can do right now
Concrete, neutral steps to start a name change in Texas. This is legal information, not legal advice.
- File in your district court
File a Petition to Change the Name of an Adult in the district court where you live, and pay the county filing fee.
- Get fingerprinted early
The DPS and FBI background check is the slow step, so get fingerprinted promptly and submit the card to keep things moving.
- Do not expect a publication step
Texas requires no newspaper publication, so once your background check clears, the court can proceed to sign the order.
- Get certified copies of the order
After the judge signs, buy several certified copies for Social Security, your driver license, and other records.
Court forms, fees, and publication rules are set locally. This resource points to the court self-help or an attorney who can guide you.
→ Texas State Law Library — Name ChangesThis 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 Texas name-change process in detail
A Texas adult name change flips the usual trade-off: there is no newspaper publication, but there is a fingerprint background check. You file a Petition to Change the Name of an Adult in the district court of your county under Family Code Chapter 45, then get fingerprinted and submit the card for a Texas DPS and FBI criminal history check, which is the step that takes the most time. Once the results come back and the judge is satisfied there is no fraud, they sign an order granting the change, often after a short hearing or none at all. The court filing fee runs roughly $200 to $350, but it is county-set and varies widely, so treat it as a range and confirm with the district clerk; the fingerprint and background-check fees are separate, on the order of $28 plus about $20 for prints. Because the check screens for evasion, a serious criminal history can complicate or block the change. This is the standalone petition; changing a name through marriage or divorce is a separate, simpler process that needs no petition.
Common questions
Do I have to publish a name change in the newspaper in Texas?
No. Texas does not require newspaper publication for an adult name change. Instead, it requires a fingerprint criminal background check.
How much does a name change cost in Texas?
Roughly $200 to $350 for the court filing fee, set by each county, plus about $28 for the DPS and FBI check and around $20 for fingerprinting. Confirm the filing fee with the district clerk.
Do I need a background check for a Texas name change?
Yes. Each petition must include the petitioner’s fingerprints for a Texas DPS and FBI criminal history check, submitted before the court grants the change.
How long does a Texas name change take?
Roughly four to ten weeks, with much of that time spent waiting for the DPS and FBI background-check results before the hearing.
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.