Name Change

General information about the name change process is contained in Wisconsin Statutes 786.36 and 786.37. The filing fee for a Name Change action is $164.50. Links to the Basic Steps to Handling a Name Change and filing documents are listed below.  Additional forms can be found on the  Wisconsin Court System website.

• Basic Steps to Handling a Name Change. CV-490 
• Petition for Name Change (Adult or Minor 14 or Older) CV-450 
• Petition for Name Change (Minor Child under 14) CV-455 
• Notice and Order for Name Change Hearing CV-460 
• Affidavit of Attempted Service on Non-Petitioning Parent CV-465 
• Response of Non-Petitioning Parent to Name Change of Minor Child Under 14. CV-480

Please Note: If you were born in the State of Wisconsin and your new name changes your birth certificate, or affects other vital records, you will need to complete the Bureau of Vital Statistics form in our office.

Following a successful name change, a clerk will assist you with additional forms and collect the fees below.

1. The order for name change must be recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds.  There is a $30 fee for filing in the Register of Deeds. Check should be made payable to Register of Deeds. The Clerk of Courts will forward your filing to the Register of Deeds.
2. If you were born in the State of Wisconsin and are seeking to have your birth or marriage certificate(s) updated with the new name, you will need to complete the form for the Bureau of Vital Statistics. There is a $10 fee to change a vital record.  You may also request copies of your amended vital record at the time you are making the change.  There is a $20 fee to obtain a certified copy of your amended certificate. Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $3 each. Please make check payable to State of Wisconsin Vital Records. We will mail this filing to Vital Records for you.  
3. If you were born in a state other than Wisconsin, it is your responsibility to contact the office of Vital Records in the state of your birth to find out requirements to amend your vital records. Where to write for vital records.
4. The clerk will certify any additional documents you may wish to obtain for a cost of $5 per document, plus $1.25 per page. You will need to contact the proper individuals to report your name change and find out if they require a certified copy.  At anytime, you may request additional copies as you may need them. 

Please note: the retention period for Civil cases is 20 years — it may not be possible to obtain a copy of the order after 20 years has lapsed.  
If you need any further information regarding name change, please call the Clerk of Courts office at 920-386-3570.