New York Legal Name Change: Cost & Process
Researched by the LawLintel Data Team · Sources verified 2026-08-24
- Filing fee
- $210 — or $65 in NYC Civil Court
- Publication
- Not requiredrepealed by the 2021 Gender Recognition Act
- Fingerprints
- Not required
- Court
- Supreme or County Court; NYC Civil Court in the city
New York made adult name changes dramatically simpler in 2021: the Gender Recognition Act removed the newspaper-publication requirement from Civil Rights Law § 63 statewide. Today the process is a petition, a fee — $210 in Supreme or County Court, or just $65 in NYC Civil Court — and usually a decision on the papers with no hearing.
Records can be sealed under Civil Rights Law § 64-a when publicity would jeopardize personal safety, and the court system's free DIY Form program assembles the petition for you.
Costs & fees
| Item | Amount | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Filing fee — Supreme/County Court | $210 | Official fee |
| Filing fee — NYC Civil Court | $65 | Official fee |
| Certified copies | $6–$25 each (court-dependent) | Official fee |
Requirements
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| Venue | County of residence (NYC residents may use Civil Court — the cheaper route) |
| Disclosures | Petition discloses judgments, liens, bankruptcies and criminal history |
| Sealing | Available where publicity risks safety (CRL § 64-a) |
| Fee waiver | Poor person's relief (CPLR 1101) |
The process, step by step
- Prepare the petition. Use the free DIY Adult Name Change program or the standard petition with a certified birth certificate copy.
- File and pay. $65 at NYC Civil Court or $210 at Supreme/County Court; request sealing if safety is a concern.
- Decision. Most petitions are granted on the papers; the court issues the name change order.
- Update records. SSA, DMV, passport, banks — certified copies of the order in hand.
Forms & where to file
Supreme Court or County Court of your county — or NYC Civil Court if you live in New York City.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a New York name change cost?
$210 in Supreme or County Court — but only $65 in NYC Civil Court, making New York City one of the cheapest big-city name changes in the country.
Do I need to publish my name change in a newspaper?
No — New York repealed the publication requirement statewide in 2021 with the Gender Recognition Act.
Can my name change be kept confidential?
Yes — courts seal name-change records under Civil Rights Law § 64-a when publicity would jeopardize your safety, including for domestic-violence survivors.
Related information
Sources & verification
Official fees and statutory rules above are traceable to the listed authorities; figures marked as estimates are LawLintel editorial estimates, not government fees. Laws and fees change — last verified 2026-08-24. See our methodology and legal disclaimer.
LawLintel provides general legal information, not legal advice. Laws, rules, procedures and fees change and can depend on your specific facts and county. Verify important information with the applicable court or a qualified attorney before acting.