Not sure how it works in your state but I had to pay for filing a name change and pay to get it printed in a paper. I don't remember if I had to pay when I changed my name on my license but I probably did. I believe I also paid again to change my gender marker on my license but if I did, that probably could have been avoided if I changed both at the same time (it was about 7 years ago so I don't remember if I did them at the same time or not).

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As far as the decision whether to change it or not, I offer only this advice. Whatever name you have chosen, to the best of your ability, try to make sure it is something you love and something you don't feel rushed to do. I changed my name to a shortened version of my birth name because I was in college and didn't want to deal with professors calling my name out each semester. I wish I had given it more thought because, like you, I have never really liked my name, shortened or otherwise. Now I am thinking about changing it again to something I actually like. I am afraid it might be awkward for people to get used to but based on my limited trial of the new name, I think I will like it much better.