In Pennsylvania, changing your legal name requires filing a petition in the Court of Common Pleas in the county where you reside. It is a standalone civil proceeding governed by 54 Pa.C.S. § 701 et seq. — you do not need to be going through a divorce or any other legal matter to petition for a name change.
The process is straightforward, but it does require attention to specific procedural steps: a verified petition, a criminal background check, fingerprinting, publication of the proposed name change in the local newspapers, and a court hearing. Skipping any step or making errors in the paperwork can delay or derail the process.
Who seeks name changes? Name change petitions are filed for many reasons — personal identity, marriage or divorce, gender identity, cultural or religious reasons, adoption situations, correction of errors on vital records, or simply because someone has used a different name for years and wants their legal documents to match. Pennsylvania courts do not require you to justify your reason, only that the name change is not sought for fraudulent purposes.
The petition is filed in the Court of Common Pleas in your county of residence. It must include your current legal name, proposed new name, address, date of birth, and the reason for the change. The petition must be verified — meaning you swear under oath that the contents are true. If you have a criminal record, the petition must disclose that as well.
Pennsylvania law requires that the petitioner be fingerprinted and that the fingerprints be submitted for a criminal background check through the Pennsylvania State Police. This step must be completed before the court will schedule a hearing. Fingerprinting is typically done at an approved vendor location.
The proposed name change must be published once in two newspapers — one of general circulation and one legal journal — in the county where the petition is filed. In Bucks County, this is typically the Bucks County Courier Times and the Bucks County Law Reporter. Publication must occur before the hearing, and the court typically requires proof of publication.
After the background check clears and publication is complete, the court schedules a hearing. In uncontested cases — which most name change petitions are — the hearing is brief. The judge confirms your identity, reviews the petition, and enters a decree changing your name. In Bucks County, these hearings are typically handled in Orphans' Court.
Once the court enters the decree, you use it to update your name with the Social Security Administration, PennDOT, your bank, employer, insurance companies, and other institutions. The court decree is your legal documentation of the change.
Changing a child's name follows the same basic process, but with additional requirements. Both parents must generally consent to the name change, or the non-consenting parent must be given notice and an opportunity to object. If one parent cannot be located, the court may allow alternative service or waive the consent requirement after reasonable efforts to provide notice. The court's primary consideration in a minor's name change is always the best interest of the child.
If you want to resume your prior surname after a divorce, you can request this as part of the divorce decree itself — no separate name change petition is required. However, if the divorce is already finalized and the decree did not address the name change, or if you want a name other than your maiden name, you would need to file a standalone petition.
Having a criminal record does not automatically disqualify you from a name change, but it does add a layer of scrutiny. The court will review the nature and recency of any convictions to ensure the name change is not being sought for fraudulent or evasive purposes. Registered sex offenders face additional restrictions under Pennsylvania law, including notification requirements.
Pennsylvania does not require medical documentation or proof of gender-related treatment to approve a name change petition. The process is the same regardless of the reason. After obtaining the court decree, it can be used to update your name on identification documents including your driver's license, passport, Social Security card, and birth certificate.
In Bucks County, the process typically takes six to eight weeks from filing to decree, depending on how quickly the background check returns and the court's hearing schedule. It can be faster if everything is submitted correctly the first time.
Court filing fees in Bucks County are currently in the range of $150–$175. Fingerprinting and background check fees add approximately $25–$40. Publication costs vary but are typically $100–$200 depending on the newspapers. Attorney fees are in addition to these costs, but given the straightforward nature of the petition, the total expense is modest compared to most legal proceedings.
You are not required to have an attorney, but working with one reduces the risk of procedural errors that can cause delays or require you to re-file. An attorney handles the drafting, filing, publication coordination, and hearing — so you show up once and it's done.
It is rare for an uncontested name change to be denied, but it can happen if the court finds the petition is being filed for fraudulent or illegal purposes, or if required steps like fingerprinting or publication were not completed. A contested petition — where someone objects — may require a more involved hearing.
Yes. Because publication in two newspapers is required by statute, the name change will be a matter of public record. In limited circumstances, such as cases involving domestic violence or safety concerns, the court may waive the publication requirement. This requires a specific motion and supporting evidence.
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