North Carolina Legal Name Change: Cost & Process
Researched by the LawLintel Data Team · Sources verified 2026-08-24
- Filing fee
- $120special proceeding before the clerk
- Publication/posting
- Not required (posting repealed for filings on/after Dec 1, 2025)
- Background checks
- Required — state (SBI) and FBI, within 90 days of applying
- Decided by
- Clerk of Superior Court
North Carolina adult name changes are special proceedings decided by the Clerk of Superior Court — usually no courtroom hearing at all. The filing fee is $120, and applicants must obtain both state (SBI) and FBI criminal-record checks dated within 90 days of the application, plus proof of good character in many counties.
The old rule requiring 10 days' notice posted at the courthouse was repealed by Session Law 2025-54 for applications filed on or after December 1, 2025 — another state joining the no-notice trend. Records are non-public for survivors of domestic violence, sexual offenses or stalking and for address-confidentiality participants.
Costs & fees
| Item | Amount | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Filing fee (special proceeding) | $120 | Official fee |
| SBI + FBI record checksfingerprint-based; vendor fees vary | $15–$50 combined | Estimate |
| Certified copies | a few dollars each | Official fee |
Requirements
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| Background checks | State and national criminal-history checks within 90 days of application (G.S. ch. 101) |
| Good character | Affidavits of good character from residents of your county (per local practice) |
| Limits | Generally one adult name change (plus resumptions); prior-name disclosure required |
| Confidentiality | Records non-public for DV/sexual-offense/stalking survivors (G.S. 101-2(c)) |
The process, step by step
- Get the record checks. Fingerprint-based SBI and FBI checks, dated within 90 days of your application.
- File the application. Application for Name Change with the Clerk of Superior Court; $120; include character affidavits per county practice.
- Clerk review. The clerk reviews for good cause — no posting or publication for filings on/after Dec 1, 2025 — and issues the order.
- Update records. SSA, NCDMV, passport, banks with certified copies.
Forms & where to file
Clerk of Superior Court (special proceedings) in your county of residence.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an NC name change cost?
$120 to file, plus modest costs for the required SBI and FBI record checks — no publication costs since the posting repeal.
Is notice still posted at the courthouse?
Not for applications filed on or after December 1, 2025 — Session Law 2025-54 repealed the 10-day posting requirement. Some county pages still describe the old rule.
Are background checks mandatory?
Yes — both a state (SBI) and national (FBI) criminal history check, conducted within 90 days of the application.
Related information
Sources & verification
- Dare County Clerk of Superior Court — legal name changes ($120)
- N.C. Session Law 2025-54 (posting repealed)
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.