How do I legally change my name in Illinois?

Q: How do I legally change my name in Illinois?

Illinois adult name changes are governed by 735 ILCS 5/Article XXI (§§ 21-101 through 21-104) and filed in the circuit court of the county where the petitioner has resided for at least six months. 1. File the Petition - Complete Petition for Change of Name with current/proposed name, residence, and disclosure of any felony convictions. - File with the circuit clerk ; filing fee is approximately $254 in Cook County (varies $200–$350 by county). - Residency : must have lived in Illinois at least six months (735 ILCS 5/21-101). 2. Publication Requirement - Publish notice of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the county once a week for three consecutive weeks , with the first publication at least six weeks before the hearing (735 ILCS 5/21-103). - Publication cost: $80–$300 depending on newspaper. - Waiver available for transgender petitioners, abuse survivors, or under a court protective order (735 ILCS 5/21-101(b)). 3. Hearing - Brief hearing where judge confirms identity and reviews disclosures. - Felony restrictions : petitioners convicted of identity theft, felony fraud, or sex offenses face restrictions or outright bars (735 ILCS 5/21-101). 4. After the Decree - Certified copies ~$9 each. - File SSA Form SS-5 (free). - Update IL DL at Secretary of State ($5 corrected card), passport, voter registration. 5. Divorce-Based Restoration - Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/413(b)) allows restoration in the divorce judgment. This is legal information, not legal advice.

Question

Accepted Answer

Illinois adult name changes are governed by 735 ILCS 5/Article XXI (§§ 21-101 through 21-104) and filed in the circuit court of the county where the petitioner has resided for at least six months.

1. File the Petition

Complete Petition for Change of Name with current/proposed name, residence, and disclosure of any felony convictions.

File with the circuit clerk; filing fee is approximately $254 in Cook County (varies $200–$350 by county).

Residency: must have lived in Illinois at least six months (735 ILCS 5/21-101).

2. Publication Requirement

Publish notice of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the county once a week for three consecutive weeks, with the first publication at least six weeks before the hearing (735 ILCS 5/21-103).

Publication cost: $80–$300 depending on newspaper.

Waiver available for transgender petitioners, abuse survivors, or under a court protective order (735 ILCS 5/21-101(b)).

3. Hearing

Brief hearing where judge confirms identity and reviews disclosures.

Felony restrictions: petitioners convicted of identity theft, felony fraud, or sex offenses face restrictions or outright bars (735 ILCS 5/21-101).

4. After the Decree

Certified copies ~$9 each.

File SSA Form SS-5 (free).

Update IL DL at Secretary of State ($5 corrected card), passport, voter registration.

5. Divorce-Based Restoration

Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/413(b)) allows restoration in the divorce judgment.

This is legal information, not legal advice.