Whether it's after a wedding, a divorce, or a fresh start that needs a court order, we handle the California paperwork: petition, the state's newspaper publication rule, and every agency afterward.
Best if you want the whole CA process off your plate.
Personalized name-change questionnaire
Auto-filled Social Security application
Auto-filled CA DMV license / ID forms
Auto-filled U.S. passport forms
CA county filing instructions
IRS, voter & USPS notifications
Forms printed & sorted by agency
Prepaid, pre-addressed envelopes
Newspaper publication arranged (if required)
A specialist files your online accounts
Dedicated CA concierge support
+ $0+ CA court filing fee (court-order changes only)
The court-order path
Four steps to a certified CA order.
This is the route for changes that aren't from a marriage or divorce. Marriage/divorce changes skip straight to updating agencies.
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1
File the petition
We prepare your California name-change petition and file it in the right court for your county.
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2
Judge reviews
A judge reviews and signs an order granting the change, usually without you appearing.
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3
Get your certified order
The court issues your certified order, your new legal proof of name.
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4
Update every agency
Now the kit kicks in: Social Security, DMV, passport, bank, and the rest, all pre-filled.
California FAQ
California answers.
The questions we hear most from people changing their name in California.
It depends on the reason. After a marriage or divorce, no — your certificate or decree is enough, and you can go straight to updating agencies. For any other reason, California requires a court petition and a judge's order. We prepare the petition for you either way.
A marriage or divorce name change has no court cost, just our kit. A court-ordered change adds the court filing fee (a court filing fee depending on your county). Fee waivers are available if you meet income limits.
You file in the county where you live. Our intake selects the correct court and gives you county-specific instructions.
A court-ordered change typically runs 6 to 12 weeks, mostly waiting on the court. A marriage or divorce change is faster — often a few weeks total — since you skip straight to the agency updates.
Yes, with care and no awkwardness. We prepare the petition and, where you qualify, request that the court waive publication and seal the record for your privacy and safety. We can update gender markers alongside the name wherever the agency allows it.
Yes. Your data is encrypted, never sold, and only used to generate your forms. You can delete everything from your account at any time.
Name change in nearby states
Court rules change at the state line. Pick where you live.
California, all 0 countys
Start your CA name change.
Free to begin. Tell us your reason and county in California, preview your whole packet, and see if you'll need a court order before paying anything.
