Service

Adult name change

Legally change your own name if you're 18 or older and live in Sacramento County.

NC-100NC-110NC-120

Want to do it yourself, free? Our free worksheet walks you through NC-100, NC-110 and NC-120 item by item. You type your own answers and copy them onto the court's forms. Nothing leaves your device. Open the free NC-100 worksheet

What happens

Answer our questions: your current name, the name you want, and why.
Pick a newspaper first. The court order (NC-120) names it, and it must run there.
Our Legal Document Assistant prepares NC-100, NC-110 and NC-120 and checks them. You read and sign.
The papers are filed with the court clerk, and the filing fee is paid or a fee waiver is filed.
The court signs NC-120. The newspaper publishes it once a week for 4 weeks in a row before your court date.
You go to your court date. If it's granted, you get certified copies to update your ID and Social Security.

Costs to plan for

Item	Amount	Paid to
Our form service	$119	First Line Legal Services
Court filing fee	About $435, or $0 with an approved fee waiver	Sacramento Superior Court
Newspaper publication	Set by the newspaper	The newspaper
Certified copies	Set by the court	Sacramento Superior Court

Court amounts checked November 2026 and can change. We confirm the current amount before filing.

If your name change relates to your gender identity, the court uses different forms (NC-200, or NC-300 to also change your gender marker). Contact us and we'll go over the steps with you.

Questions people ask

Will the judge approve my new name?

The judge decides. We can't predict results or give legal advice.

How long does it take?

The newspaper alone takes 4 weeks. Your court date is set by the court when you file.

Can I change my child's name?

Children's name changes have extra rules. For now we help adults only; the court's self-help center can help with children.

Can I do it myself for free?

Yes. SH@LL at the Sacramento Public Law Library helps with name changes at no cost.