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Changing Your Name in Iowa

How adults change their legal name in Iowa: the court petition, publication, fees, and restoring a name after divorce.

Short answer: An adult without civil disabilities files a verified petition with the district court of the county where he or she lives, giving a physical description, residences for the past five years, the reason, any Iowa real estate owned, the new name and a certified birth certificate (or another… Iowa Code §§ 674.1, 674.2, 674.4, 674.6, 674.10, 674.13, 595.5; Iowa Judicial Branch, Civil Court Fees

Legal name changeAn adult without civil disabilities files a verified petition with the district court of the county where he or she lives, giving a physical description, residences for the past five years, the reason, any Iowa real estate owned, the new name and a certified birth certificate (or another identification if it is unavailable). A married petitioner must give legal notice to the spouse. The decree may be granted any time after 30 days from filing. The filing fee equals the fee for filing a civil petition, which the Iowa Judicial Branch lists as $215. A person may not change names more than once under this chapter without just cause. A new name can also be chosen on the marriage license application.
Fee schedule: https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/representing-yourself/civil-court-fees
Source: Iowa Code §§ 674.1, 674.2, 674.4, 674.6, 674.10, 674.13, 595.5; Iowa Judicial Branch, Civil Court Fees
Changing your name after divorceEither spouse may ask, as part of the divorce or annulment decree, to change their name to the name on their birth certificate or the name they had right before the marriage. Any other name change must be requested under Iowa's general name change law (chapter 674).
Source: Iowa Code § 598.37

Where to get help in Iowa

More Iowa divorce & family law

FAQ

How do you legally change your name in Iowa?
An adult without civil disabilities files a verified petition with the district court of the county where he or she lives, giving a physical description, residences for the past five years, the reason, any Iowa real estate owned, the new name and a certified birth certificate (or another identification if it is unavailable). A married petitioner must give legal notice to the spouse. The decree may be granted any time after 30 days from filing. The filing fee equals the fee for filing a civil petition, which the Iowa Judicial Branch lists as $215. A person may not change names more than once under this chapter without just cause. A new name can also be chosen on the marriage license application.
How do you change your name back after a divorce in Iowa?
Either spouse may ask, as part of the divorce or annulment decree, to change their name to the name on their birth certificate or the name they had right before the marriage. Any other name change must be requested under Iowa's general name change law (chapter 674).

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.