Is the name change filing fee the same in every California county?

Almost. The base fee is set statewide, but Riverside County and San Francisco County add a local courthouse-construction surcharge, so some amounts are higher there. County pages show the exact local figure.

What does the $435 fee not include?

Serving the other party (billed separately by the sheriff, constable, process server, or clerk), certified copies, publication notices where required, and attorney's fees. The notes above cover what service typically costs for this case type.

California Name Change Filing Fees by County

Filing a name change case in California costs $435, paid to the Superior Court Clerk (Superior Court). That base fee holds in 56 of 58 counties; Riverside and San Francisco add a local surcharge.

Filing	Fee
Petition for a decree of change of name or gender Gov. Code §§ 70611, 70602.5, 70602.6	$435

Source: Superior Court of California — Statewide Civil Fee Schedule (effective Jan. 1, 2026) — schedule dated 2026-01-01, last checked 2026-08-25.

Most adult name changes also require publishing an order to show cause in a newspaper once a week for four weeks, which is billed by the newspaper, commonly $80 to $300 depending on the county.
If you cannot afford the fee, you can ask for a fee waiver with form FW-001.

Name Change fees by county

Common questions

Is the name change filing fee the same in every California county?: Almost. The base fee is set statewide, but Riverside County and San Francisco County add a local courthouse-construction surcharge, so some amounts are higher there. County pages show the exact local figure.
What does the $435 fee not include?: Serving the other party (billed separately by the sheriff, constable, process server, or clerk), certified copies, publication notices where required, and attorney's fees. The notes above cover what service typically costs for this case type.