Last reviewed and updated: August 16, 2026
By Molly Rosenblum, Esq., Nevada attorney with more than 20 years of experience handling family-law and court matters.
To legally change your name in Nevada, most adults file a verified petition in the district court where they live, publish notice one time unless an exception applies, wait through the required objection period, and submit an order to the judge for approval. Many uncontested adult name changes can be completed without a court hearing.
The process is different if you are changing your name after marriage, restoring a former name in a divorce, changing a child’s name, or requesting privacy because publication could create a safety risk.
Most routine adult name changes are procedural rather than adversarial. The problems we see usually come from using outdated instructions, failing to disclose required information, missing a notice requirement, or completing the court order but not updating government records correctly afterward.
Important 2026 update: Older Nevada guides may still say that a name-change notice must run for several consecutive weeks or that every applicant must attend a hearing. Current Nevada law generally requires adult notice to be published at least one time, and most properly completed uncontested adult petitions can be approved without a hearing.
Nevada Name Change Requirements
Nevada’s adult name-change law is found primarily in NRS 41.270 through NRS 41.290.
An adult who wants a court-ordered name change files a verified petition with the district court in the district where the person resides.
The petition must state:
- Your current legal name;
- The full name you want to use in the future;
- The reason for requesting the change;
- Whether you have been convicted of a felony; and
- A statement signed under penalty of perjury that the requested name change is not for a fraudulent purpose.
If the applicant has a criminal record, Nevada law requires the petition to be accompanied by a complete set of fingerprints taken in the manner prescribed by the Nevada Department of Public Safety.
The court must also be satisfied that there is a legitimate reason for the requested change.
Do You Have to Prove a Special Reason for Changing Your Name?
No extraordinary reason is required for an ordinary adult name change. People change names for personal, family, cultural, religious, identity, and other legitimate reasons.
The important limitation is that the name change cannot be sought for fraud or another improper purpose.
Have a Name-Change Issue That Is Not Routine?
Rosenblum Allen can assist when a name-change case involves a contested child’s name, criminal history, an objection, privacy or safety concerns, or an existing divorce or custody case.
How to Legally Change an Adult’s Name in Nevada
For most adults who need a court order, Nevada’s current process can be broken into four main stages.
Prepare the Required Court Forms
Nevada Judiciary’s current adult name-change materials identify: a Family Cover Sheet; Petition for Change of Adult Name; Notice of Petition for Change of Adult Name (unless an exception applies); Request for Summary Disposition and Declaration in Support; and Order for Change of Adult Name. Use your complete current legal name consistently and clearly identify the complete new name you want approved.
File in the Proper District Court
The case is filed with the district court in the district where you live. In Las Vegas or elsewhere in Clark County, follow the Clark County filing procedures and current local instructions. Filing procedures, fees, and electronic-filing options can change, so use current court materials instead of an old article or downloaded form packet.
Publish Notice If Required
Most adults must publish a Notice of Petition for Change of Name in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the petition was filed. Under current Nevada law, the notice must generally be published at least one time. Publication is not required in certain gender-identity cases and may be waived when publication would place the applicant’s personal safety at risk.
Ask the Judge to Approve the Change
The court generally cannot grant an ordinary adult petition until the statutory objection period has passed. If no written objection is filed and the required steps are complete, the applicant can submit a Request for Summary Disposition and proposed Order. Many uncontested adult cases are approved without the applicant appearing at a hearing.
Nevada Name Change Publication Requirements
Most adult Nevada name-change petitions require publication one time in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the petition is filed.
This is an important change from older versions of Nevada’s law. Some outdated websites still describe multi-week publication requirements.
After publication, the newspaper typically prepares an Affidavit of Publication. That document must be filed with the court as proof that publication occurred.
How Long Must You Wait After Publication?
Under NRS 41.290, if publication is required, the court generally waits at least 10 days after publication to determine whether anyone has filed a written objection.
If no objection is filed and the court is satisfied that good reason exists for the change, the judge may enter the requested order.
When Is Publication Not Required?
Nevada recognizes important exceptions.
Gender identity. If the petition states that the name change is being requested to conform the applicant’s name to the applicant’s gender identity, publication is not required.
Personal safety. If the applicant provides satisfactory proof that publication would place the applicant’s personal safety at risk, the court must waive publication. Nevada law also provides for sealing the related records under those circumstances.
Practice Point
Name-change law is a good example of why using current court materials matters. Someone following an older Nevada article may complete unnecessary publication steps or incorrectly assume a court hearing is always required.
Will You Need a Court Hearing for a Nevada Name Change?
Not necessarily.
Nevada Judiciary explains that most properly completed adult name changes can be approved without a hearing when the required forms have been filed, publication has been completed when required, the objection period has expired, and no objection has been filed.
A hearing may be required when:
- Someone files a written objection;
- The judge has questions about the petition;
- There is a concern about fraudulent intent;
- The criminal-history information requires further inquiry; or
- The court determines that additional evidence is necessary.
This means a routine adult applicant should not assume that filing a petition automatically results in a scheduled courtroom appearance.
What Reasons Could a Nevada Name Change Be Denied?
A Nevada judge can deny a name-change request when the statutory requirements are not satisfied or the court is not persuaded that the request is legitimate.
Fraud or Improper Purpose
The court believes the requested change is being sought for fraud or another improper purpose.
Undisclosed Criminal History
The applicant fails to disclose required criminal-history information, or required fingerprints or supporting documents are missing.
Incomplete Notice or Paperwork
Publication or notice requirements are not completed when required, or the petition contains materially incomplete or inaccurate information.
A Persuasive Objection
A written objection raises a concern the judge finds persuasive — or, in a child name-change case, the court is not persuaded after hearing the competing positions.
Practice Insight
In a routine adult case, procedural mistakes and credibility problems are often more avoidable than the underlying legal issue. A criminal record may be addressed openly. Failing to disclose information that Nevada law specifically requires can create a much more serious problem.
Can You Change Your Name in Nevada If You Have a Criminal Record?
Yes. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you from changing your name.
Nevada law requires the applicant to disclose felony history. If the applicant has a criminal record, the petition must be accompanied by a complete set of fingerprints.
The court considers the criminal history when reviewing the petition and is particularly concerned with whether the requested name change is being used to avoid legal obligations, conceal identity, or accomplish a fraudulent purpose.
Why Honesty Matters
Trying to conceal a conviction creates a credibility issue that may be far more damaging than simply disclosing the history and addressing it correctly.
If your situation involves criminal history, probation, parole, outstanding obligations, or another unusual issue, it can be worth getting legal advice before filing.
Changing a Child’s Name in Nevada
A child’s name change uses a different statutory process from an adult name change. Nevada’s child name-change laws are found primarily in NRS 41.291 through NRS 41.2999.
The procedure depends heavily on whether both parents agree.
When Both Parents Agree
If both parents agree to the proposed change, they can file the appropriate petition and supporting documents with the district court.
There are limited circumstances in which only one parent’s consent is necessary, such as when the other parent is deceased, has had parental rights terminated, or other specific circumstances recognized by the court process apply.
When the required consents are present and the paperwork is complete, the child’s name change can often be approved without a hearing.
When One Parent Does Not Agree
A parent can still ask the court to change a child’s name even when the other parent refuses to consent. But the non-consenting parent generally must be formally served with the petition and given an opportunity to object.
The other parent’s consent cannot ordinarily be avoided simply because that parent has limited involvement in the child’s life or is difficult to locate. If the other parent cannot be found after a diligent search, additional procedures may be required before the court will authorize alternative service or publication.
Children Age 14 or Older
Nevada Judiciary’s current child name-change procedure requires a child who is 14 years old or older to consent to the child’s own name change.
Contested Child Name Changes Are Different
A disagreement over a child’s surname or legal identity can become part of a broader parenting dispute. The court may need to consider the reasons for the proposed change, the reasons for the objection, the child’s circumstances, and the evidence presented by each parent.
If the dispute overlaps with custody issues, see our Las Vegas child custody guide.
Does the Other Parent Object to Changing Your Child’s Name?
A contested child name-change case is very different from a routine adult petition. Rosenblum Allen can help evaluate notice, existing custody orders, the reasons for the proposed change, and the issues likely to matter to the court.
Changing Your Name After Marriage in Nevada
If you recently married and want to take your spouse’s surname, you typically do not need to file a separate court petition for an adult name change.
A certified copy of the marriage certificate is generally the legal document used to update records with government agencies and other institutions.
After obtaining the certified marriage certificate, you may need to update Social Security records, your Nevada driver’s license or identification card, passport, employer and payroll records, bank and investment accounts, credit cards and loans, insurance policies, voter registration, professional licenses, and other contracts and accounts.
Each agency may have its own documentation requirements, so check the current instructions before submitting an application.
Changing Your Name After Divorce in Nevada
If you want to return to a former name as part of a Nevada divorce, the most efficient time to address it is usually before the final decree is entered.
A spouse can ask the divorce court to restore a former name in the divorce decree. Once the decree is entered, a certified copy can be used as legal documentation for updating government and private records.
If the divorce decree does not include the name restoration, a separate name-change petition may later be necessary.
Molly’s Practice Tip
If you already know that you want your former name restored, raise the issue before the divorce is finalized. It is usually more efficient to include the restoration in the existing decree than to start another court proceeding afterward.
For more information about Nevada divorce law and procedure, visit our Nevada divorce guide.
Name Changes Related to Gender Identity in Nevada
Nevada law expressly provides that publication is not required when the petition states that the applicant wants to change the name to conform to the applicant’s gender identity.
The applicant still follows the applicable court process for obtaining a legal name-change order, including the required petition information and criminal-history disclosures.
A legal name change and a gender-marker change on government identification are separate administrative issues. Different agencies may have different procedures for updating one or both.
Privacy and Personal-Safety Exceptions
Publication can create a serious concern for applicants attempting to protect themselves from abuse, stalking, threats, or another dangerous situation.
Nevada law permits an applicant to ask the court to waive publication if the applicant provides satisfactory proof that publication would place the applicant’s personal safety at risk.
If the court makes that finding, the statute also provides for sealing the records of the petition and proceedings, subject to the applicable rules governing access.
Because the applicant must satisfy a legal standard, do not assume that a generalized preference for privacy is enough to obtain sealed proceedings.
How Much Does It Cost to Change Your Name in Nevada?
There is no single statewide filing fee for every Nevada name-change case. Nevada Judiciary explains that filing fees differ by county.
Potential costs can include:
- The district court filing fee;
- Newspaper publication when required;
- Fingerprinting if the applicant has a criminal record;
- Certified copies of the final order;
- Service expenses in a contested child name-change case; and
- Attorney’s fees when legal representation is needed.
If you cannot afford the filing fee, Nevada courts provide a process for asking the court to waive fees based on financial circumstances.
Check the current court fee before filing. Do not rely on an old article quoting a specific dollar amount because those amounts can change.
How Long Does a Nevada Name Change Take?
There is no guaranteed statewide timeframe.
An uncomplicated adult case can move faster than many older guides suggest because most uncontested petitions do not require a hearing.
But the timeline still depends on several steps: preparing and filing the initial documents; completing publication when required; waiting through the statutory objection period; obtaining and filing the Affidavit of Publication; submitting the summary-disposition request and proposed order; the individual judge’s processing time; and whether anyone objects or the court requires additional information.
A contested child name change, criminal-history issue, deficient filing, or service problem can take longer.
Because current Nevada procedure allows many adult petitions to be decided on the papers, it is not accurate to assume that every applicant must wait six or eight weeks for a scheduled hearing.
What to Do After Your Name Change Is Approved
The judge’s order legally changes your name, but it does not automatically update every other record containing your old name. After the order is entered, obtain certified copies from the court clerk.
Start With Key Government Records
Social Security Administration records, Nevada DMV records, passport, voter registration, birth certificate when applicable, and other government licenses or records.
Then Financial and Employment Records
Employer and payroll, bank accounts, credit cards, mortgage and other loans, retirement accounts, investment accounts, insurance policies, and professional licenses.
Personal and Contractual Records
Leases, utilities, schools, medical providers, memberships, subscriptions, estate-planning documents, beneficiary designations, and other records.
Keep Proof Permanently
Keep at least one certified copy of your name-change order in a safe place even after every account appears to be updated. Years later, you may still need to prove the legal connection between your former and current names.
Common Nevada Name Change Mistakes
Most routine adult name changes are not legally complicated. Mistakes usually occur because an applicant is working from outdated information or overlooks a procedural requirement.
Following an Outdated Publication Rule
The general adult publication rule is now one publication, not several consecutive weeks.
Assuming a Hearing Is Always Required
Most properly completed uncontested adult petitions can be approved without a hearing.
Filing a Petition After Marriage When Unnecessary
Someone taking a spouse’s surname after marriage will usually use the certified marriage certificate rather than filing a separate petition.
Waiting Until After Divorce
If the restoration is already desired, requesting it as part of the divorce decree can avoid another proceeding.
Failing to Disclose Criminal History
Nevada requires felony history to be disclosed and requires fingerprints when an applicant has a criminal record.
Failing to Notify the Other Parent in a Child Case
A parent’s limited involvement does not necessarily eliminate the parent’s right to notice and an opportunity to object.
Using Outdated Fees or Forms
Always use current Nevada Judiciary or local-court materials.
Believing the Order Updates Every Record
It does not. The applicant still needs to update the appropriate government agencies and private institutions.
What I Tell Clients
A straightforward adult name change is often something a person can handle independently. The point where legal help becomes more valuable is when the case stops being purely procedural—an objection is filed, the other parent objects to a child’s name, criminal history raises questions, or privacy and safety become part of the case.
Do You Need a Lawyer to Change Your Name in Nevada?
Not for every case. Nevada provides self-help forms because many routine adult name changes can be completed without an attorney.
You Can Likely Handle It Yourself When…
You are an adult requesting a routine name change, no one is expected to object, there is no unusual criminal-history issue, you do not need sealed proceedings or a publication waiver, and you are comfortable preparing and filing the required documents.
Legal Help Adds Real Value When…
The other parent opposes a child’s name change or the dispute overlaps with custody litigation; someone has formally objected; criminal history complicates the petition; there is an allegation of improper purpose; you need a publication waiver for safety reasons; or you are unsure which legal procedure applies.
Questions About a Nevada Name Change?
If your case involves a contested child’s name, an objection, criminal history, a safety concern, or another complication, Rosenblum Allen can help you determine the appropriate next step.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nevada Name Changes
How do I change my name legally in Nevada?
An adult generally files a verified petition in the district court where the person resides, publishes notice when required, waits through the statutory objection period, and submits the proposed name-change order to the judge.
How much does it cost to change your name in Nevada?
The filing fee depends on the county. Additional expenses may include publication, fingerprinting when required, certified copies, service in a contested child case, and attorney’s fees if you hire counsel.
How long does it take to get a name change in Nevada?
There is no guaranteed statewide timeline. Many uncontested adult cases can be approved without a hearing, but timing depends on filing, publication when required, the 10-day objection period, court processing, and whether anyone objects.
What reasons would a Nevada name change be denied?
A court can deny a request if legal requirements are not satisfied, the court believes the request is being made for fraud or another improper purpose, required information is omitted, notice requirements are not completed, or an objection raises a persuasive legal concern.
How many times do I have to publish a Nevada name change?
Current Nevada law generally requires adult notice to be published at least one time in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the petition is filed. Exceptions apply in certain gender-identity and personal-safety cases.
Do I have to go to court for a Nevada name change?
Many uncontested adult cases can be approved without a hearing if the requirements are satisfied and no objection is filed. The judge may require a hearing if an objection is filed or additional evidence is needed.
Can I change my name if I have a felony conviction?
A felony conviction does not automatically prevent a name change. Nevada requires disclosure of felony history, and applicants with a criminal record must submit fingerprints. The court reviews the circumstances and whether the request is legitimate.
Do I need a court order to change my name after marriage?
Usually not if you are taking your spouse’s surname. Most agencies will accept a certified marriage certificate as the legal document supporting the change.
Can I change my name back during a Nevada divorce?
Yes. A spouse can ask the divorce judge to restore a former name in the final divorce decree.
What if my divorce decree did not restore my former name?
You may need to file a separate name-change petition after the divorce.
Can I change my child’s name if the other parent says no?
You can petition the court, but the non-consenting parent generally must be formally notified and given an opportunity to object. The judge decides whether to approve the request.
Does a child have to consent to a Nevada name change?
Nevada Judiciary’s current procedure requires a child age 14 or older to consent to the child’s own name change.
Do transgender applicants have to publish their proposed name?
No. Nevada law does not require publication when the petition states that the requested name change is to conform the applicant’s name to the applicant’s gender identity.
Can a Nevada name change be kept private for safety reasons?
Possibly. Nevada law permits the court to waive publication and seal related records when the applicant provides satisfactory proof that publication would place the applicant’s personal safety at risk.
Nevada Name Change Laws and Resources
This guide was reviewed against current Nevada statutes and Nevada Judiciary name-change materials.
- NRS 41.270–41.290 — adult petitions, publication, objections, hearings, and orders.
- NRS 41.291–41.2999 — name changes for unemancipated minors.
- Nevada Judiciary — Adult Name Changes
- Nevada Judiciary — Child Name Changes
- Nevada Judiciary — Current Name Change Forms
Need Help With a Nevada Name Change?
A routine adult name change can often be handled without an attorney. But contested child name changes, objections, criminal history, safety concerns, and overlapping family-law disputes can require more careful legal analysis.
This article provides general information about Nevada law and is not legal advice. Filing requirements and court procedures can vary depending on the county and circumstances of the case.