Important: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Court fees and requirements change frequently. Always verify with your local court before filing.
Name Change in Pennsylvania
Open-data reference.
Filing a name change in Pennsylvania costs $150–$250 - near the median of the 10 states we track. The typical timeline is 2-3 months, and a mandatory waiting period of 20 days applies before the court can finalize the matter.
Personal choice; court checks for fraud, avoiding debts, or criminal intent
What This Means for Your Name Change Filing in Pennsylvania
Filing for name change in Pennsylvania costs $150–$250 at the courthouse, the first financial barrier most self-represented filers face. Court of Common Pleas. Publication in two newspapers required. Beyond the filing fee, a mandatory waiting period of 20 days applies before the court can finalize the matter, and the typical case timeline is 2-3 months. County-level surcharges and service-of-process fees can add to that total; see our court fee waiver guide for who qualifies to file without paying.
Procedurally, Pennsylvania lays out 6 distinct steps, and the clerk typically requires 4 core document categories to open your case. Residency rules matter: 6 months in Pennsylvania. Grounds or legal theory must be stated clearly in the initial petition - Personal choice; court checks for fraud, avoiding debts, or criminal intent (see our pro se filing guide for common filing mistakes to avoid).
Filing Fee Details
Court of Common Pleas. Publication in two newspapers required.
How Pennsylvania compares to other states
Pennsylvania ranks #5 of 10 states for name change filing cost. Each bar is a state's upper-bound name change filing fee, from $150 (NC) to $435 (CA); Pennsylvania is highlighted at $250.
Source: state court filing-fee schedules (upper-bound fee per state). Verify current amounts with the relevant court. How we calculate this ranking →
Key Requirements
- Petition for Change of Name
- Publication in two newspapers
- Court hearing
- Order granted
Step-by-Step Process
- 1
File Petition for Change of Name in Court of Common Pleas
- 2
Pay filing fee
- 3
Publish in two newspapers
- 4
Attend hearing
- 5
Receive order
- 6
Update ID documents
Grounds / Eligibility
Personal choice; court checks for fraud, avoiding debts, or criminal intent
Quick Reference
- Filing Fee
- $150–$250
- Residency
- 6 months in Pennsylvania
- Waiting Period
- 20 days
- Typical Timeline
- 2-3 months
Official Resources
Other Civil Processes in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to file for name change in Pennsylvania?
The filing fee for name change in Pennsylvania is $150–$250. Court of Common Pleas. Publication in two newspapers required.
How long does name change take in Pennsylvania?
2-3 months
Do I need a lawyer for name change in Pennsylvania?
You are not legally required to hire an attorney for name change in Pennsylvania, but legal representation is recommended for complex cases. Free or low-cost legal aid may be available, see lawhelp.org for Pennsylvania resources.
Is there a waiting period for name change in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania requires a mandatory waiting period of 20 days before the process can be finalized.
What are the residency requirements for name change in Pennsylvania?
6 months in Pennsylvania
What documents are needed for name change in Pennsylvania?
Key requirements include: Petition for Change of Name; Publication in two newspapers; Court hearing.
Where does this data come from?
This information is sourced from Pennsylvania court websites, legal aid organizations, and public court fee schedules, last verified 2026-03. See our methodology for full sourcing details.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
| Publisher | PlainCivil |
| Sources | Public state court datasets and federal civil-justice records |