Name Change Filing Courts
When it comes time to file your name change documents, knowing what court to file them in can be a big time-saver. It can be confusing at times, because one court in one state may handle cases that the same court in another state does not. Generally, name changes are filed either in the County Probate Court, District Court, Circuit Court, Superior Court, or Chancery Court, depending on the state.
The following states file name changes in the County Probate Court:
- Alabama
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
States where name changes are filed in the County District Court are:
- Colorado (or County Court, depending on the County).
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- Utah
- Washington
States where name changes are filed in the County Circuit Court are:
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Illinois
- Indiana (or Superior Court, depending on the County)
- Maryland
- Michigan (Family Division)
- Missouri
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
States where name changes are filed in the County Superior Court are:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Georgia
- New Jersey
States where name changes are filed in the County Court of Common Pleas are:
- Delaware
- Ohio (Probate Division)
- Pennsylvania (Civil Division)
Residents of Hawaii file name changes in the Lieutenant Governor's Office.
Name changees in Mississippi can only be filed by an attorney.
New York City Residents file name changes in the New York County Civil Court.
New York residents (not in New York City) file name changes in the Superior Court in the county where they reside.
North Carolina residents file name changes in the General Court of Justice (Superior Division).
South Carolina residents file name changes in the County Family Court in the county where they reside.
Residents of Tennessee file name changes in the Chancery Court in the county where they reside.