How do I legally change my name in Pennsylvania?

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

Pennsylvania adult name changes are governed by 54 Pa.C.S. §§ 701–705 and filed in the Court of Common Pleas of the county of residence. 1. File the Petition - File Petition for Change of Name with the Prothonotary; filing fee is $50–$200 (Philadelphia ~$155, Allegheny ~$175.50). - Petition must include current/proposed name, residence (at least 1 year in PA), and disclosure of felony convictions. 2. Order, Notice, and Publication - Court enters a preliminary order setting a hearing 1–3 months out. - Publish notice in two newspapers — typically one newspaper of general circulation and one legal periodical (e.g., Legal Intelligencer in Philadelphia) — at least 30 days before the hearing (54 Pa.C.S. § 701(b)). - Cost: $100–$400 total for publication. 3. Judgment & Lien Searches - Obtain judgment and lien searches from the Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, and Recorder of Deeds showing no outstanding judgments. - File these with the court before the hearing. 4. Hearing - Petitioner appears, presents proof of publication and lien searches. - Felonies : certain convictions (homicide, sex offenses, identity theft) bar a name change (54 Pa.C.S. § 702). - Judge signs the Decree of Change of Name . 5. After the Decree - Update SSA (Form SS-5), PennDOT DL/ID ($30.50 duplicate), passport, voter registration, banks. 6. Divorce-Based Restoration - Pennsylvania allows restoration in the divorce decree or by simple filing with the Prothonotary using a marriage certificate — no full proceeding required (54 Pa.C.S. § 704). This is legal information, not legal advice.

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Pennsylvania adult name changes are governed by 54 Pa.C.S. §§ 701–705 and filed in the Court of Common Pleas of the county of residence.

1. File the Petition

File Petition for Change of Name with the Prothonotary; filing fee is $50–$200 (Philadelphia ~$155, Allegheny ~$175.50).

Petition must include current/proposed name, residence (at least 1 year in PA), and disclosure of felony convictions.

2. Order, Notice, and Publication

Court enters a preliminary order setting a hearing 1–3 months out.

Publish notice in two newspapers — typically one newspaper of general circulation and one legal periodical (e.g., Legal Intelligencer in Philadelphia) — at least 30 days before the hearing (54 Pa.C.S. § 701(b)).

Cost: $100–$400 total for publication.

3. Judgment & Lien Searches

Obtain judgment and lien searches from the Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, and Recorder of Deeds showing no outstanding judgments.

File these with the court before the hearing.

4. Hearing

Petitioner appears, presents proof of publication and lien searches.

Felonies: certain convictions (homicide, sex offenses, identity theft) bar a name change (54 Pa.C.S. § 702).

Judge signs the Decree of Change of Name.

5. After the Decree

Update SSA (Form SS-5), PennDOT DL/ID ($30.50 duplicate), passport, voter registration, banks.

6. Divorce-Based Restoration

Pennsylvania allows restoration in the divorce decree or by simple filing with the Prothonotary using a marriage certificate — no full proceeding required (54 Pa.C.S. § 704).

This is legal information, not legal advice.