How long does it take to get your name changed in Arkansas?
Asked by: Cydney Casper | Last update: January 28, 2026Score: 4.5/5 (4 votes)
Changing your name in Arkansas can take a few weeks to several months, primarily depending on the local county court's schedule for processing your Petition for Name Change and scheduling a hearing, with the overall process often averaging around two months before you get the court order. After getting the court order (or marriage certificate), updating documents like your Social Security card takes a few weeks, and then updating your driver's license and passport follows.
How much does it cost to get a name change in Arkansas?
Changing your name in Arkansas costs around $165 for the court filing fee (more in some counties like Saline), plus fees for new IDs, but you can apply for a fee waiver if needed; expect roughly $165-$200 for court, plus $10-$15 for a driver's license, and no fee for a Social Security card.
What documents do I need to change my name in Arkansas?
What documents do you need?
- Your legal name change document (marriage certificate or court order)
- Proof of identity (current state ID or passport, for example)
- Proof of citizenship (your birth certificate or passport) - but only if you haven't already proved this to the SSA.
What is the easiest way to legally change your name?
The easiest way to legally change your name depends on your situation, but generally involves getting a court order by filing forms at your local courthouse, paying fees, and updating government IDs; however, you might avoid court if changing your name due to marriage (using your marriage certificate) or during the naturalization process, but for personal preference, court is required, involving petitions, potential publication, a judge's approval, and then updating your Social Security card, driver's license, and passport.
What disqualifies you from changing your name?
You are generally disqualified from changing your name if you're trying to commit fraud, evade debts or criminal charges, or choose an offensive, confusing, or misleading name (like a celebrity's). Pending serious criminal charges, especially related to fraud or false statements, or a history of such offenses, often leads to denial, as does trying to avoid legal obligations or affect someone else's rights.
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What proof do you need to change your name?
Proof of a name change typically involves official documents like a marriage certificate, a divorce decree, or a court order/decree, which serve as the legal link from your birth name to your current legal name, required to update IDs like your driver's license, passport, and Social Security card. For court-ordered changes, a certified copy of the order with the judge's signature and court seal is essential, while marriage usually only requires the marriage license.
What reasons can cause a name change denial?
Why would a name change petition be denied? A petition would be denied if you were changing your name to avoid judgments, legal actions, debts or obligations. A person cannot change his or her name to defraud any other person.
What do you need to do once you change your name?
You might change your name through marriage, divorce, or court. Update your new name with the necessary government agencies. This includes the Social Security Administration and your state motor vehicle office.
What do I need to bring when I change my name?
To change your name, you'll generally need your legal name change document (like a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), proof of identity (like your current driver's license or passport), and your proof of citizenship (like a birth certificate or passport), with the Social Security Administration (SSA) card being the crucial first step before updating everything else. Start with the SSA, then update your Driver's License/State ID, Passport, and other important records.
What are the potential downsides of a name change?
There are some potential drawbacks to changing your name
Otherwise, you can expect to pay a court fee, typically $275, for the legal process of changing your name. You will also need to file a petition, provide information about previous bankruptcies or criminal convictions, all of which can be quite time-consuming.
Can I change my name online?
Can I change my name for free online? While you can begin the process online for free, such as filling out forms or using online resources to understand the required steps, most jurisdictions require a fee to file the paperwork legally. Costs vary by state and type of name change (marriage, divorce, court order).
Does changing my name affect my credit?
No, changing your name doesn't directly affect your credit score because your history is tied to your Social Security number (SSN), not your name; however, you must proactively update your name with your creditors and credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax) using your new legal documentation (like an updated SSN card) to ensure your accounts and history are correctly linked and reported under your new legal name. Failure to do so can cause confusion or even temporary issues, while your old name will remain on your file as past identifying information.
How much is it to legally change your name in Arkansas?
Changing your name in Arkansas costs around $165 for the court filing fee (more in some counties like Saline), plus fees for new IDs, but you can apply for a fee waiver if needed; expect roughly $165-$200 for court, plus $10-$15 for a driver's license, and no fee for a Social Security card.
How quickly can I change my name?
In most states, a change in surname following a marriage takes only a few weeks. In some cases, the process can take several months. If you are getting divorced, the name change can be done as part of the divorce process. For all other name change requests, a petition must be filed with your state's court system.
What documents are needed to change my name?
To change your name, you'll generally need your legal name change document (like a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), proof of identity (like your current driver's license or passport), and your proof of citizenship (like a birth certificate or passport), with the Social Security Administration (SSA) card being the crucial first step before updating everything else. Start with the SSA, then update your Driver's License/State ID, Passport, and other important records.
What is the easiest way to change my name?
The easiest way to change your name usually involves marriage or divorce, using those certificates to update documents, but for other reasons, you'll file a court petition with your local county court, pay a fee, potentially publish notice, get a judge's order, and then update your Social Security, driver's license, and passport. Many online services and state court websites offer tools to simplify the paperwork for court-ordered changes.
How do I notify the IRS of my name change?
The IRS will automatically note your name change. If you're not due to file a tax return soon, submit Form 8822, Change of Address or Form 8822-B, Change of Address or Responsible Party — Business, to notify the IRS of your name change.
How do you change your last name in Arkansas?
Changing an individual's name for any reason other than marriage or divorce will be accomplished through the submission of a written petition to a local Circuit County Clerk. Generally, this is done without much questioning by the judge, but a court appearance may be required.
What evidence do you need to change your name?
Proof of a name change typically involves official documents like a marriage certificate, a divorce decree, or a court order/decree, which serve as the legal link from your birth name to your current legal name, required to update IDs like your driver's license, passport, and Social Security card. For court-ordered changes, a certified copy of the order with the judge's signature and court seal is essential, while marriage usually only requires the marriage license.
What are the consequences of legally changing your name?
Once the name change has taken place legally, you may not be able to use any of your former documents. Another factor to consider, a name change can have an impact on your taxes. The names on your tax return much match Social Security Administration records.
What can stop you from changing your name?
You are generally disqualified from changing your name if you're trying to commit fraud, evade debts or criminal charges, or choose an offensive, confusing, or misleading name (like a celebrity's). Pending serious criminal charges, especially related to fraud or false statements, or a history of such offenses, often leads to denial, as does trying to avoid legal obligations or affect someone else's rights.
What are the disadvantages of changing my name?
Con: It's not free
It needs to get notarized. If your name change is the result of a divorce or a marriage, you may need additional documentation. It's not prohibitively expensive — court fees may be a few hundred dollars — but it does cost money. This is only something you want to do if you're serious about it.
What is the best way to legally change your name?
You can legally change your name by filing papers in court. If a judge agrees, they will give you a court order that states your new legal name. You need this order to change your name on identity documents, like your driver's license, passport, or social security card.
How do I prove I've changed my name?
Proof of a name change typically involves official documents like a marriage certificate, a divorce decree, or a court order/decree, which serve as the legal link from your birth name to your current legal name, required to update IDs like your driver's license, passport, and Social Security card. For court-ordered changes, a certified copy of the order with the judge's signature and court seal is essential, while marriage usually only requires the marriage license.