Texas has one requirement for an adult name change that catches almost everyone off guard: a mandatory FBI and state criminal background check, complete with fingerprint cards, before a judge will sign off. For the general national process and typical costs, see our main guide on how to legally change your name. Here is exactly how it works in Texas.
Texas Name Change Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Governing law | Texas Family Code, Chapter 45 |
| Court | District Court in the county where you live |
| Filing fee | Roughly $150 to $400, varies significantly by county |
| Background check required? | Yes. A complete fingerprint-based FBI and DPS check is mandatory |
| Background check cost | Roughly $27 in state and federal processing fees, plus about $20 for fingerprinting |
| Newspaper publication required? | No |
| Typical timeline | Hearing usually scheduled 30 to 60 days after filing |
The Requirement Most People Don’t See Coming
Texas Family Code Section 45.102 requires every adult petitioning for a name change to submit a complete, legible set of fingerprints on a card acceptable to both the Texas Department of Public Safety and the FBI. This is not optional and not something a judge can waive on request. The fingerprints go through a state and federal criminal history background check, and DPS sends the results directly to the court before your hearing.
In practice, this means booking an appointment at an approved fingerprinting location, commonly through IdentoGO, Texas’s designated vendor. The fingerprinting service itself costs around $20 and includes two cards, one to submit with your petition and one to mail to DPS. Separately, DPS charges a $15 processing fee and the FBI charges $12, for a combined $27 in background check processing fees, on top of whatever the fingerprinting appointment itself costs. Altogether, most people spend somewhere between $30 and $50 on this step alone, in addition to the court’s filing fee.
What If You Have a Criminal Record?
A prior conviction does not automatically block a Texas name change, but it does add requirements. If you were convicted of a felony, you generally need to include proof that you were pardoned, or documentation showing at least two years have passed since you completed your sentence, probation, or parole. If you are required to register as a sex offender, you must provide proof that you submitted a Sex Offender Update form notifying local law enforcement of your intended name change before the court will proceed. Leaving out this documentation when it applies to you is one of the more common reasons a petition gets delayed rather than denied outright.
Filing Fees Vary Significantly by County
Texas has no single statewide fee for a name change petition. Travis County and Bexar County, for example, both charge $350 for an adult petition, with Travis County adding a separate $10 fee for a name change certificate. Other counties run meaningfully lower, sometimes closer to $150. Confirm the exact current fee with your county’s district clerk before filing, since county fee schedules are set locally and do change.
If the filing fee is out of reach, Texas allows you to file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs instead of paying, which the court reviews based on your financial circumstances. See our general guide on how the name change process works for more on how fee waivers typically function.
No Newspaper Publication Required
Here is a genuine privacy advantage Texas offers that several other states do not: it does not require you to publish notice of your name change petition in a newspaper. Court records related to the petition are still generally public, but you will not need to budget for or arrange a newspaper publication as part of the process, which is a real cost and time savings compared to states like California.
Step by Step
1. Obtain the Petition to Change the Name of an Adult, available through your county courthouse or online, and complete it with your current legal information and requested new name.
2. Sign the petition in front of a notary public. You are certifying the information, including any criminal history, under penalty of perjury.
3. File the petition with the district clerk in your county, along with the filing fee or a fee waiver request.
4. Get fingerprinted at an approved location such as IdentoGO. Submit one card with your petition and mail the second to DPS along with a file-stamped copy of your petition and the required $27 processing fee.
5. Wait for DPS to send your background check results directly to the court, and for the clerk to schedule your hearing, typically 30 to 60 days out.
6. Attend your hearing. Bring your completed Order Changing the Name of an Adult form (unsigned), your file-stamped petition and exhibits, and your fingerprint card copy. Hearings for straightforward petitions are usually brief.
7. Once the judge signs your order, file it with the county clerk and request at least two certified copies, which you will need to update your Social Security record, driver’s license, passport, and other accounts.
Changing a Minor’s Name in Texas
For a name change involving someone under 18, a parent or legal guardian files the petition on the minor’s behalf. Texas requires notification of all known legal parents, not just the parent filing the petition, which is a step worth planning for early if the other parent’s whereabouts or involvement is uncertain, since it can affect how smoothly the case proceeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Texas require a background check for a name change?
Yes. Texas Family Code Section 45.102 requires a fingerprint-based state and FBI criminal history background check for every adult petitioner, with results sent directly to the court before your hearing.
How much does a name change cost in Texas?
The court filing fee varies by county, typically $150 to $400, with $350 common in larger counties like Travis and Bexar. Add roughly $30 to $50 for fingerprinting and background check processing on top of that.
Does Texas require newspaper publication for a name change?
No. Unlike some states, Texas does not require you to publish notice of your name change petition in a newspaper.
What if I have a felony conviction?
A felony does not automatically disqualify you, but you generally need to show proof of a pardon, or that at least two years have passed since you completed your sentence, probation, or parole.
How long does a Texas name change take?
Hearings are typically scheduled 30 to 60 days after filing, largely dependent on how quickly the background check results come back and the court’s own scheduling.
Bottom Line
A Texas name change comes down to two things most people underestimate: a mandatory fingerprint-based background check that adds a few weeks and roughly $30 to $50 to the process, and a county-by-county filing fee that’s worth confirming directly rather than assuming. The upside is no newspaper publication requirement, a real savings compared to states that do require it. For the broader national picture, see our guide on how to legally change your name.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Texas name change law and county fees can change; confirm current requirements with your county district clerk before filing.
