Legal Name Change Cost in Arkansas: $200 Base Fee

In Arkansas, the base filing fee for a legal name change is $200 (Arkansas Code § 9-2-101).

What's Included

• Petition filing
• Court processing
• Publication of required notice (usually 3 weeks in local newspaper)

Additional Costs

• Newspaper publication: $50–$150 (varies by paper/county)
• Certified copies of order: $5–$10 each (need for SSA, DMV, passport, banks)
• Attorney (optional): $500–$1,500+ if hired
• Fingerprint/background check: ~$25 (some counties require)

Total Estimate

$250–$400+ without attorney; $750–$2,000+ with attorney.

Process

1. File petition in circuit court (county of residence)
2. Publish notice (unless waived for safety)
3. Attend hearing (usually uncontested)
4. Get certified order → update SSA, DMV, passport, banks, employers

Fee waivers available for indigency (Form 10A). Confirm exact fees with your county circuit clerk—they vary slightly.