Hancock County Name Changes

If you are interested in legally changing your name or the name of a minor child, we provide general guidance on the process in Hancock County, including required forms, fees, and notice requirements. This information is intended as a general guide only and does not constitute legal advice. For a complete understanding of the law see Chapter 735 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes, Section 5/21-101 et seq., or consult with an attorney.

Requests for Name Changes for Adults

File your Request for Name Change with the Circuit Clerk online, or you can come to Room 8 to request assistance with the electronic filing of your case. The filing fee for a Name Change case is $311. Minors cannot be included in the same case as an adult, a separate case for Minor Name Change must be filed. Call the Circuit Clerk Civil Division to request a court date. Bring with you the completed Order for Name Change for the Judge’s signature.

After court, you can return to the Circuit Clerk and obtain a certified copy of the court order.

  • Illinois Legal Aid Online

    Illinois Legal Aid Online provides a guided interview that will ask you a series of questions related to your name change and then the program will complete the forms for you. It is free to use.

  • Odyssey Guide

    Odyssey Guide and File also offers a similar guided interview that will ask you a series of questions. The program will complete the Name Change forms and help you e-file. It is also free to use.

Statewide Approved Name Change Forms

Requests for Name Changes for Minors

To legally change the name of a minor child, you must file a formal request online with the Circuit Clerk, notify all required parties, and attend a scheduled court hearing.

Step One File Online & Get a Court Date

  • Name Change Request for a Child

    Illinois Legal Aid Online provides a guided interview that will ask you a series of questions related to the minor name changes and then the program will complete the forms for you. It is free to use.

Statewide Approved Name Change Forms

  • Submit Your Request

    Electronically file (e-file) your Request for Name Change (Minor) through the online filing portal. Both parents may sign the request together if they are in agreement.

  • Pay the Fee

    The filing fee for a Minor Name Change is $311.

  • Schedule Your Hearing

    Contact the Hancock County Circuit Clerk’s Civil Division directly to request an official court date. You will need to write this specific date on your Notice of Court Date form.

Step Two Notify the Other Parent or Custodian

You are legally required to give formal notice of the name change request and the upcoming hearing date to any other legal parent (whose rights have not been terminated) and anyone else who has physical custody of the child.

You must deliver this notice a reasonable amount of time before the hearing using one of these methods:

  • Certified Mail

    Mail copies of both the Request for Name Change and the Notice of Court Date via certified mail with a return receipt requested.

  • Personal Delivery

    Have the local sheriff or an authorized process server personally hand-deliver the documents.

  • Publish the Notice

    If you cannot locate the other parent after making reasonable efforts, you must serve them by publishing a notification in a newspaper serving the city/municipality where the minor lives. If no newspaper is published there, it must be printed in a Hancock County newspaper.

    The notice must run for three (3) consecutive weeks. The first publication date must appear in print at least six (6) weeks plus one day before your assigned court date.

    If you believe publishing your request in a public newspaper will put you or your child in physical danger or cause severe hardship, you can ask a judge to let you skip this step. 

Step Three Attend Your Court Hearing

You must appear in court on the exact date and time assigned to your case.

  • What to Bring

    Bring a completed Order for Name Change form (for the judge to sign) and the original certificate of publication provided by the newspaper (if applicable).

  • Missed Dates

    If you do not appear on your designated date, the judge will dismiss your request. You will be required to reschedule, re-publish your notice at your own expense, and return on a new date.

  • Child Interviews

    Please be prepared that the judge may ask to interview the child in order to learn their wishes regarding the name change.

Step Four Obtain Your Certified Order

Once the judge approves and signs the Order for Name Change, return to the Circuit Clerk’s Office. You can purchase official, certified copies of the signed court order to update the minor's social security card, birth certificate, school records, and other legal identification.

Waiver of Court Fees in Civil Cases

If you cannot afford the filing and copy fees, you can ask the Court to have them waived or reduced. Illinois Legal Aid Online provides a guided interview to help you prepare the documents required to request to file your case for free or at a reduced cost.