Publishing Your Name Change in the Newspaper
If you want to change your name, but you cannot do it through marriage or divorce, you still have a practical path forward using a court-petitioned name change. But you may have to publish your name change in the newspaper.
Newspaper publication laws vary across states, including when and where to publish, duration, and exceptions for gender identity cases and concerns over privacy and safety.
This article focuses on everything related to newspapers and name changes, what you should expect, fees, exceptions, and state-specific publication rules.
We will also clarify which U.S. states do not require publication.
State law governs name change publication rules
Do you need this? If you can change your name through marriage, you do not need to endure court orders, newspaper publishing, or all else this article covers.
State legislatures write the laws (or statutes) which regulate name changes and newspaper notices. The courts (most often at the county level) just execute these directives.
Depending on your jurisdiction (where you live), the ease and procedures of name change, newspaper publication, and waivers vary.
Before continuing, we must dispel a common misconception…
Most anyone can adopt the name they want. In fact, by 2009, around 46 states allowed people to change their names by common law usage, without paperwork.
Yet this common law option crumbles under inspection.
Reality is oh-so different…
Federal and state government agencies, banks, and other institutions need official, legal proof of name change, such as a court order, not common law claims.
Beyond marriage, the most efficient way to get your name changed is through a court order applied in a state or county court where name change is universally accepted.
You only need to pursue a name change through a court order and newspaper publication if you do not have a marriage certificate or divorce decree capable of changing your name.
The right reason for your name change
When seeking a name change by court order, you must plead your reason is not fraudulent or illegal. For instance, defaming another person, or evading a debt or lien, among others.
Your rationale need not be elaborate. The court does not expect a monologue. Your motive could be as simple as you "just want a new name" because you dislike your current name.
The judge cannot deny your name change unless your reason is immoral, frivolous, or fraudulent. For instance, you cannot rename yourself Microsoft or a profane word.
Besides explaining why you want your name changed, you may have to pay a filing fee and post a legal notice in a court-approved newspaper announcing your old and new name.
Expect to pay two separate fees:
- Court petition filing fee
- Newspaper publication fee
Publishing a legal notice in newspapers
The main reason the law requires anyone who wants to change their name to publish it in a newspaper is to make it a public record. A searchable, archived, historic chronicle.
People whom you might owe statutory obligations have a legal right to know when you have changed or are changing your name, and how to mount formal opposition.
Announcing your name change in the papers does not imply you have something to hide. The law mandates publication to promote transparency and expose mischief-makers.
Otherwise, anyone can decide to change their name to avoid debts, commit fraud, or malign others. Publishing a newspaper notice is a legal and useful societal defense.
And, yes, your petition could get opposed in open court or judge's chambers. Yet whoever objects to your name change must possess three things:
- Awareness of your name change intentions.
- Knowledge of the court hearing.
- Good cause to object.
Publication fulfills the first two criteria. Showing good cause puts the burden of proof on objectors. Their claims must often get sent to the court in writing before the hearing.
Objections are rare. Still, broadcasting your name change objectives in print is the law. Your name change cannot move forward until the publication duration has run its course.
Publication contents, disclosures, and objections
Expect to publish your current name, proposed name, address; court hearing date, venue, case number, and objection instructions (how and when to file a challenge).
You may avoid exposing your home address to the public by hiring an attorney who will use their practice's address or discussing nondisclosure options with the court clerk.
You do not have to figure out the ad format and language yourself; the court will give you the completed notice or Order to Show Cause to pass onto the publisher.
Publication might be a onetime event, but most states mandate longer runtimes. The most common interval is tied between once and once a week for four weeks.
How long must you publish your name in your state?
You may view your own state's notice of name change newspaper publication duration in the following table. (Keep in mind that multi-week runs are consecutive.)
| State | Publication duration |
|---|---|
| Alabama | None |
| Alaska | Once a week for 4 weeks |
| Arizona | None, but must tell spouse if married |
| Arkansas | None |
| California | Once a week for 4 weeks |
| Colorado | Once a week for 3 weeks |
| Connecticut | None |
| Delaware | Once |
| District of Columbia | Once a week for 3 weeks |
| Florida | Once a week for 4 weeks |
| Georgia | Once a week for 4 weeks |
| Hawaii | Once |
| Idaho | Once a week for 4 weeks |
| Illinois | Once a week for 3 weeks |
| Indiana | Once a week for 3 weeks |
| Iowa | None, but must tell spouse if married |
| Kansas | Once a week for 3 weeks |
| Kentucky | None |
| Louisiana | None |
| Maine | None |
| Maryland | Once |
| Massachusetts | Once |
| Michigan | Once |
| Minnesota | None |
| Mississippi | None |
| Missouri | Once a week for 3 weeks |
| Montana | Once a week for 4 weeks |
| Nebraska | Once a week for 4 weeks |
| Nevada | Once |
| New Hampshire | None |
| New Jersey | None |
| New Mexico | Once a week for 2 weeks |
| New York | Once |
| North Carolina | 10 days on court's bulletin board |
| North Dakota | Once |
| Ohio | Once |
| Oklahoma | Once a week for 4 weeks |
| Oregon | None |
| Pennsylvania | Once in 2 newspapers |
| Rhode Island | Once a week for 2 weeks |
| South Carolina | None |
| South Dakota | Once a week for 4 weeks |
| Tennessee | None |
| Texas | None |
| Utah | None |
| Vermont | None |
| Virginia | None |
| Washington | None |
| West Virginia | Once |
| Wisconsin | Once a week for 3 weeks |
| Wyoming | Once a week for 4 weeks |
Exceptions to publishing name change publicly
Exceptions exist where you might not have to publish a notice in the newspaper. For instance, you do not need to publish when conforming to your sex or gender identity.
Upon request and showing good cause, the court may waive the publication rule for victims of domestic violence, stalkers, sexual assault, or human trafficking.
People enrolled in an address confidentiality program or state witness protection program are exempt from the publication standard by default.
The above is not an all-inclusive list of exemptions the court will honor. Your reason may be different. Your concern need not have precedent; it can be a potential danger.
For instance, you can assert a right to privacy from publication because you believe you might be subject to harassment from known or unknown persons.
Getting a waiver in these cases is simple:
- You must document your reasons on the court forms.
- Most courts will not ask for proof.
Bottom line, the court may forgo publication if it might place your safety in danger, then move onto the hearing or final ruling.
The court may opt to conduct a closed hearing or no hearing if they waive publication of your name. They may even order court records sealed.
Avoiding harassment from strangers
Shielding your address could help filter out bad actors circling name change announcements. This may be useful for cross-gender name changes, victims of abuse, etc.
Consider getting a PO Box, private mail box (PMB), or virtual mail box (VMB) for your name change correspondence. But first check if the court allows a non-residential designation.
What if you prefer wide newspaper circulation?
Much of the context of this article—and historical inquiries we have received throughout the years—have framed name change newspaper publication as an undesirable step.
Yet not everyone wants their name change intentions concealed, minimized, and rushed through with little public attention.
Upon request, various newspapers specialize in wide circulation of legal name change announcements, across multiple papers and platforms, for maximum community recognition.
Publishing your name change notice
You will enter the publication phase once a judge signs an order allowing your name change petition to advance. (You are now inching towards the threshold.)
The signed order will show that you have X-days to take out an advert in a newspaper—referred to as a "publication"—which is an ad giving notice you will legally change your name.
In most cases, the order explains which newspaper the notice must appear, contents of the notice, and the number of times it must be published.
Various courts might handle the publication sequence on your behalf, but you must still pay the publication fee through them. Such aid is uncommon, though.
Contacting the newspaper
You may contact a local newspaper by phone or through their website. It should be a newspaper of general circulation where you live. Often at the county level.
Call the newspaper and indicate you want to take out an advertisement of a personal nature in the newspaper's announcements section and indicate both the new name and old name in the announcement while making it as clear as day your name has been changed.
Various states require an address listed alongside the announcement. The publisher will often insert your ad in the "legal notices" section of the classifieds ads.
If the court gives you free rein to pick a newspaper, make sure it meets the court's standards within your region, including:
- Minimum circulation
- Placement (e.g., legal section)
- Predominant language (e.g., English, Spanish)
The newspaper might publish your name change notice on both their physical paper and website. The latter risks permanent public exposure online.
Paying the newspaper legal notice filing fee
Payment arrangements are between you and the newspaper, not the court. They should be able to take a credit card payment by phone, online, or whatever means provided.
Courts can be merciful to low-income applicants. Often waiving the filing fee. Newspapers are not so forgiving and expect payment in full—no hardship waivers.
How much is the newspaper publication fee?
There are roughly 1,279 daily newspapers in circulation within the U.S. You can view newspaper ad rates by state, which offers a reasonable estimation for placing a legal name change notice in the classified section.
For example, the L.A. Times charges an astounding $1,317 to post a legal name change notice, while The Daily Commerce charges only $90.
Both newspapers are well-circulated within the same county, making either a valid choice for a resident placing a legal name change notice. Yet the price disparity is striking.
But you need not take the first price offered.
If the court provides you an accepted list of newspapers, you can shop around for the lowest ad rate. So if one quotes you a steep price, their competition may offer better terms.
On balance, it should cost you around $100 or less to publish your name change notice in a newspaper of general circulation within your geographic area.
Assuming you do your due diligence—comparison shop.
Newspaper affidavit of completion
The court may give you a signed order to be published as-is instead of only instructions. The sooner your name gets published, the sooner the newspaper will ready a publication affidavit as proof of completion.
The newspaper affidavit of completion protocol differs across states. The newspaper will either mail you the affidavit or send it straight to the court themselves.
Either way, see that it gets done before your hearing.
In fact, before the court's cited due date.
After you or the newspaper files the publication affidavit, your legal name change journey is nearing success; only the hearing and judge's approval remain.
Assuming no objections or suspicions of fraud arise, your name change should be a foregone conclusion. You may even get an approved court order without a hearing.
Publication done, now the real work begins
Once the judge approves and signs your court order, get certified copies from the court clerk to change your name everywhere: social security card, driver's license, passport, etc.
With publication done and court order in hand, you could even use our online name change kit to complete your name change across official documents and ID.
Publishing your name change in the newspaper may evoke trepidation, but is a necessary part of a court-petitioned name change campaign.
I recently turned 18.I want to change my name due for privacy & to avoid a person who sexually assaulted me in the past. Would it be necessary to tell the court who the person is? I don't really like talking about it but it is a reason why I want to change my name. I'm also concerned about having to publish a notice in the newspaper,I've read that it says details about the hearing & wondered if I could avoid that.
Hi Coffee. Accommodations are typically made for victims of sexual assault. The court can provide further information. You can inquire about a closed hearing or chambers hearing, and waiving of the newspaper requirement.
Do I really have to publish my name change in a newspaper? And with *address*? I think that will lure in more stalkers lol. But, really. Can I just pay extra money for them not to publish my name? I don't just anyone to know that I changed my name.
Hi Maria. You can request the court waive the requirement if you can demonstrate good cause. If you're concerned about stalkers and disclosure of your address, you may want to find out if your state has an active address confidentiality program.
Do you have to stay in same county for long time after you put in for name change or can you move?
Hi Mel. Unless the county court that's handling your name change has a residency jurisdiction stipulation, I don't see what would be holding you there.
I wnt to make a change of name for my bank
Hi Ability. You'll have to do that directly with your bank. You'll have to present a document that justifies the name change, such as a marriage record, divorce decree, or court order.
I have newborn twins and I want to change there names do I have to wait until they turn 1 year? And will I be allowed to change there names just because I want different names? How can I word that to the judge?
Hi Michelle. You don't have to wait. Just tell the judge the truth: you prefer a different name.
There means over there; their means belonging to them
You have kids now, teach by example and learn basic English. The fact that you spelled the same word wrong twice says you don't know how to spell. Your kids were just born, so, you have six years to study before you help them with homework. Go for it!
My wife is looking to chnge her last name after we got married and add an english middle name. Does she still need to publish her birth date etc in a newspaper? State is NY.
If you're saying she wants to add a brand new middle name, that's not possible without a court order.
Not for a marriage name change, but if she's looking to change her name to an entirely new middle name that's not derived from anything, then that's not possible without going to court.
What is the number for my local newspaper if I live in lake county Indiana and I need to publish a name change for my child that is a minor? How much does it cost
If you're referring to the Times of Northwest Indiana, their website lists their phone directory.
I got married and changed my name, just after divorce I went back to my maiden name, I now want to go back to my married name although I am not getting remarried. Can I still use my original marriage license and/or divorce decree or do I need a separate court order and publication now?
Hi Keely. If you've officially changed your name back to your maiden, you'll have to get a court order to do it again.
My daughter just turned18 and wants to change her name so it will be on her diploma when she graduates in 4-5 weeks how can I word that on the waiver to publish
Hi Alpha. You needn't give that detailed a reason. At a minimum just word it that this person is opting to undergo a name change, and that's it. You don't have to detail why.
Hi what is the cost of name change publication in a newspaper
Hi Tibishi. It varies per newspaper. Some will cost you $20, while others can go up to $200. You'll have to look up their rate card. Most newspapers display such prices on their website, or you can call them directly for pricing.
Am a nigerian and naira is the currency.
Hi Tibishi. You'd have to contact the newspaper directly for rates.
Hi, my name is Agnes and I am unmarried. I want to change my name cos I am no longer attached to it. I just wanna know how many times one can have their names changed, cos my sister who works in a bank says it can only be done once, considering the fact that I am unmarried. How true is it that if I get married in a couple of years, I will not be able to change my name again if I do it now?
Hi Ikeriugwo. There is no limit to how many times you can change your name. Perhaps your sister was suggesting the limit was one because that is the limit per name change event. For instance, if you were to marry, you can change your name using your marriage certificate once. Trying to change it again using the same certificate wouldn't work. If you were to get a court order you could change it a second time, but not again using the same court order.
Hi I turned 18 a couple months ago and I would like to change my first name. Do I have to have it published on newspaper? I don't want it to be published because I don't like bring attention to myself and I want to do it for my safety. I don't have any debts or any legal problems so can that help me from getting it published?
Hi Taco. Persons who are registered with their state's address confidentiality program (not all states have set this up) are not required to publish their name. But that's only for victims of domestic abuse and stalking. If you're just looking to guard your privacy, you'll have to request a waiver from the judge. There's no guarantee it'll be granted though.
When you make your application for a name change you can ask the court clerk what the likelihood of getting a waiver may be prior to you paying the court fees.
How much does it cost to publish name on a newspaper in Nigeria?
Hi Titus. You'll have to contact the newspaper directly for pricing. If you're going through the courts to do it, you can inquire if they can provide a list of approved publishers.
I'm a little lost with this process and have no one to help me. Do you have to go to the hearing first verdure publishing this? Or is it after you get the time and date?
I'm even confused on how I will explain this in court. I'm trying to change my first and middle. Mostly to escape stalkers, my ex husband, and kind of like to restart my life after some traumatic events. Can I get any advice on a good way to word this in court?
Hearing first.
How you just explained it is perfectly fine. You can state that you're looking to achieve greater privacy and security from a prior spouse/relationship.
You can also request the judge waive the requirement that you publish your name change in a newspaper if you're concerned about such visibility endangering your safety.
Please my bank closed my account due to the disruption in my names and I operate two bank acct Skye and stanbic but in the Skye bank account my surname is Ogundare while on stanbic my surname is oluwadare and its also the name I used for my bvn and I'm having money in my Skye acvoun and was told by stanbic to go get a court affidavit for them to get it dome for me .please I'm asking hope I don't need to do newspaper publication?
I did my bvn at stanbic account .I need a clarification on this people.. Awaits your response soon
Hi Funbi. Your bank closure due to a name mismatch isn't related to having to publish your name in a newspaper. It's a bank-client matter that you'll have to resolve with them.
What is the local number to some DE newspapers? Also, can I change my first name when I get married?
Here's a list of Delaware newspapers, but you'll want to get clearance from the court to determine if they're acceptable. You should be able to find phone numbers on their websites.
No, you'll have to petition the court for that.
There is some confusion I see, I am doing this for my son's name change
for this 1. If both parents(biological) agree for name change – than court don't need any newspaper publication, otherwise they gives you date of court appearance 6-8 weeks after first you give application and within that you need to take court notice to publication and asked them to publish(may be 2-3 weeks per local requirement). once newspaper gives you certificate you take it along with to court's date and judge will ask reasons for change
2. For adults its mandatory to publish, to let others know that you are not doing to avoid any debt or other financial/criminal reasons
As far as cost is concerned, you can ask for fee waiver and publication help if you can prove your income source qualifies for it. Just not willing to pay will not make it, your income should support that you don't earn enough to spend
Hi Dharmesh. Publication standards vary from state to state, and can also vary between courts. Generally, your understanding of the process is solid. Some courts allow publication to be dismissed for domestic violence victims. Some courts have fee waivers, some don't.
If my spouse has passed away, will I need to publish my intent to revert to my maiden name?
Hi. Typically, any court petitioned name change would require publication, but you can request that it be waived. It's not guaranteed that it will be, but you can certainly request it.
I applied for my citizenship and under a section, it was asked if I wanted to change my legal name, I said yes and put my desired name. I got naturalized and received the certificate of naturalization in addition to a court document approving my name change,
I have since did my U.S. passport in addition to updated my social security information.
But I have not published anything in the newspapers, or taken any other steps.
Nobody told me at the naturalization ceremony of the next steps I have to take.
So can someone advise me on what to do next?
Thank you
That's only for court-petitioned name changes, which yours is not.
Hello, I was wondering as a transgender male, if I can request it not to be published in the newspaper?
My main reason to not have it published is for my own safety, as I live in a unsafe town/neighborhood.
It is possible the for the court to dismiss the need to publish your name if you explain your concerns. The court petitioned name change article briefly touches on this in the "order to show cause" section.
Can I do this whole process online? publishing my name on a newspaper?
Hi John. That depends on how sophisticated the newspaper's operation is. You'll have to contact them to inquire.
I am already married, traditional and church wedding and I hv both d certificate. How can I use them to change my name and publish it cuz I need d newspaper publication to change my BVN.
Hi Sophie. If you're looking to undergo a marriage-related name change, you don't need to publish your name change intention in a newspaper. That's just for court petitioned name changes.
What happens if my name change does not get published within 60 days?
Hi Artem. When going through a court ordered name change you'll have to provide proof that your name was published in the time span the court specified. If not, there may be a delay. You'll have to contact the court for what to do, such as getting an extension.
I have to establish a name for my home daycare, I'm advised to publish the business name in newspaper does it cost?
Hi Mary. Yes, newspaper publications do cost. You'll have to contact them about fees.
I change my name early this year and due to bill for advertising I've not yet done it. Please will dey be any problem on when I have Money to so?
Are you saying you've had your name published in the newspaper, yet haven't paid the bill? If so, that's something you'll have to contact the court about; to determine if it will hinder your name change from completing.