Family Law & Domestic Relations
Name Changes in Pennsylvania
Last updated August 2026
5 min read
✓ Verified Aug. 2026How Legal Name Changes Work in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, a court-ordered name change is obtained by filing a petition in the Court of Common Pleas in the county where you reside (54 Pa.C.S. § 701(a.1)(1)). It is a standalone civil proceeding governed by 54 Pa.C.S. § 701 et seq.. You do not need to be going through a divorce or any other legal matter to petition for a name change. Two routes do not use a petition. Under 54 Pa.C.S. § 701(b), a person may at any time adopt and use a name if the name is used consistently, nonfraudulently, and exclusively, and that adoption may not contravene the conviction bars in 54 Pa.C.S. § 702(c). That route produces no court decree. A party to a divorce may instead resume a prior surname by filing a written notice with the prothonotary under 54 Pa.C.S. § 704, described below.
The process is straightforward, but it requires attention to specific procedural steps: a verified petition, a criminal background check, fingerprinting, publication in the local newspapers, and a court hearing. Skipping a step or making errors in the paperwork can delay or derail the process.
Who seeks name changes? Name change petitions are filed for many reasons; personal identity, marriage or divorce, gender identity, cultural or religious reasons, adoption situations, correction of errors on vital records, or simply because someone has used a different name for years and wants their legal documents to match. The petition must state the reason for the change (54 Pa.C.S. § 701(a.1)(2)(ii)), but Pennsylvania courts do not weigh whether that reason is a good one: the court may enter the decree if it is satisfied after the hearing that there is no lawful objection (54 Pa.C.S. § 701(a.1)(5)). The name change must not be sought for fraudulent purposes, and 54 Pa.C.S. § 702(c) sets separate limits for felony convictions.
The Name Change Process: Step by Step
1
File a Verified Petition
The petition is filed in the Court of Common Pleas in your county of residence. It must include your current legal name, proposed new name, address, date of birth, and the reason for the change. Verified means you swear under oath that the contents are true. If you have a criminal record, the petition must disclose it.
2
Fingerprinting and Background Check
Pennsylvania law requires the petitioner to be fingerprinted and the fingerprints submitted for a criminal background check through the Pennsylvania State Police. The State Police have 60 days to certify the result back to the court, and certification must be complete before the court enters a decree. Fingerprinting is typically done at an approved vendor location.
3
Publish Notice
The proposed name change must be published in two newspapers of general circulation in the county where the petitioner resides (or a contiguous county); one of the two may be the official paper for legal notices. In Bucks County, this is typically the Bucks County Courier Times and the Bucks County Law Reporter. Publication must occur before the hearing, and the court requires proof of publication.
4
Court Hearing
After the background check clears and publication is complete, the court schedules a hearing. In uncontested cases, which most name change petitions are, the hearing is brief. The judge confirms your identity, reviews the petition, and enters a decree changing your name. In Bucks County, these petitions are filed with the Prothonotary and heard in the Civil Division (Law) of the Court of Common Pleas.
5
Update Your Records
Once the court enters the decree, you use it to update your name with the Social Security Administration, PennDOT, your bank, employer, insurance companies, and other institutions. The court decree is your legal documentation of the change.
Name Changes for Minors
Changing a child's name follows the same basic process, with additional requirements. Both parents must generally consent, or the non-consenting parent must be given notice and an opportunity to object. If one parent cannot be located, the court may allow alternative service or waive the consent requirement after reasonable efforts to provide notice. The court's primary consideration in a minor's name change is always the best interest of the child.
Special Considerations
Name Changes After Divorce
If you want to resume your prior surname after a divorce, you can file a written notice with the prothonotary referencing the divorce caption and docket (54 Pa.C.S. § 704); no separate name change petition is required. If you want a name other than a prior surname, you would need to file a standalone petition.
Name Changes and Criminal History
A criminal record does not by itself disqualify you from a name change, but Pennsylvania law sets two hard limits for felony convictions. Under 54 Pa.C.S. § 702(c)(1), the court may grant a name change to a person convicted of a felony only after at least two calendar years have passed since the sentence was completed and the person is no longer under the probation or parole jurisdiction of any court, county probation agency, or the Pennsylvania Parole Board. A pardon also satisfies that requirement. Section 702(c)(2) goes further and bars the court from granting a name change at all, with no waiting period that cures it, to a person convicted of murder, voluntary manslaughter, rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, statutory sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, robbery under 18 Pa.C.S. § 3701(a)(1)(i), aggravated assault under 18 Pa.C.S. § 2702(a)(1) or (2), arson under 18 Pa.C.S. § 3301(a), kidnapping, or robbery of a motor vehicle. That bar also reaches criminal attempt, criminal conspiracy, and criminal solicitation to commit any of those offenses, along with equivalent crimes under earlier Pennsylvania law or the law of another jurisdiction. If a felony conviction is anywhere in your history, have the record reviewed before you pay filing and publication costs. When the court does grant a name change to a person convicted of a felony, it must notify the Office of Attorney General, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the district attorney of the county where the person resides. Registered sex offenders face additional restrictions under Pennsylvania law, including notification requirements.
Name Changes for Transgender and Non-Binary Individuals
Pennsylvania does not require medical documentation or proof of gender-related treatment to approve a name change petition. The process is the same regardless of the reason. After obtaining the court decree, it can be used to update your name on identification documents including your driver's license, passport, Social Security card, and birth certificate.
Common Questions
How long does the process take?
In Bucks County, the process typically takes six to eight weeks from filing to decree, depending on how quickly the background check returns and the court's hearing schedule. It can be faster if everything is submitted correctly the first time.
How much does it cost?
The Prothonotary filing fee for a name change petition in Bucks County is $299.75 (includes the final order charge and search/certification). Fingerprinting and background check fees add approximately $25 to $40. Publication costs vary but are typically $100 to $200 depending on the newspapers. Attorney fees are in addition to these costs, but given the straightforward nature of the petition, the total expense is modest compared to most legal proceedings.
Do I need a lawyer?
You are not required to have an attorney, but working with one reduces the risk of procedural errors that can cause delays or require you to re-file. An attorney handles the drafting, filing, publication coordination, and hearing, so you show up once and it is done.
Can my name change be denied?
It is rare for an uncontested name change to be denied, but it can happen if the court finds the petition is being filed for fraudulent or illegal purposes, or if required steps like fingerprinting or publication were not completed. A separate rule applies to felony convictions. Under 54 Pa.C.S. § 702(c), the court cannot grant a name change until at least two calendar years after the sentence is complete and the person is off probation and parole, unless the person has been pardoned, and it can never grant one to a person convicted of murder, voluntary manslaughter, the listed sexual offenses, kidnapping, robbery of a motor vehicle, or the specific subsections of robbery, aggravated assault, and arson named in the statute. A contested petition (where someone objects) may require a more involved hearing.
Will the name change appear in public records?
Yes. Because publication in two newspapers is required by statute, the name change will be a matter of public record. In limited circumstances, such as cases involving domestic violence or safety concerns, the court may waive the publication requirement. This requires a specific motion and supporting evidence.
Legal and factual content on this page was last verified: Aug. 2026. If you are reading this significantly after that date, confirm key provisions with current statute text or contact our office.
Marc Lynde · 12+ years as a licensed attorney · Cardozo School of Law · Licensed in PA & NY · Full bio →
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