6 Easy Steps to Changing Your Name in Court

Changing your name through the court process is a fairly simple six step process:

              Step 1                            Step 2                              Step 3

              Step 4                             Step 5                              Step 6

• Step 1. Determine the Correct County for Filing.

The person whose name is being changed must file in the county circuit court where s/he lives.

• Step 2. Complete the form Petition.

You can fill in the forms on-line and print out copies. (Keep a copy for yourself.) You can also print out a copy of the form and fill it in by hand.

You will need a special program called Adobe Acrobat to open the forms.

• Adult Name Change - If you are filing for a name change and you are 18 or older, you will need to complete the self-help “Name Change Form for Adults - Form # DR 60” from the Maryland Administrative Office of the Courts.
  
  This form is part of an on-line package with instructions and related forms.

• Under 18 Name Change - If you are a minor under age 18 ,your guardian must agree. You and your guardian must complete the self-help “Petition for Name Change” for a minor- Form #DR 62, and Consent of Name Chance- Form #DR 63.

• Issues with Paternity - If you are a parent filing for a name change of a minor because the father listed on the birth certificate is not the actual father, the father listed on the birth certificate must fill out a Consent to Change of Name DR #64.  This form must be filed with the Petition for Name Change for a Minor form DR #62.
  
  These forms are part of an on-line package with instructions and related forms.

Need a copy of your birth certificate? Here is how to find vital records in Maryland or any other state.

• Step 3. Attach Proof of Current Name and File the Petition.

You must attach proof of your current name. A certified copy of a birth certificate is preferred but you can also use other documents like a passport or driver's license that prove your current name.

Next, you file the petition and attachment with the civil clerk’s office at your local courthouse. Here is a Directory of Courthouses in Maryland. You will find directions and hours for each courthouse in the state.

Cost – The fee for this is $105. There is a fee waiver if you cannot afford to pay the fee. Form DR# 32. If a judge approves the waiver, you will not have to pay the fee.

• Step 4. Publish Notice of Petition.

When you file the petition, the clerk’s office will sign a notice. The notice form is available on–line as Adult Name Change DR# 61 (part of the packet). The notice describes the petition and gives the deadline for others to file an objection to the petition. What if someone has an objection to changing your name?

Publication - You must publish notice of the name change at least fifteen days before the deadline for filing an objection to the petition. This gives people an opportunity to object to the name change.

Publication means having the notice printed (just once) in one of your county newspapers. Ask the clerk if you will need to arrange for it yourself or if the clerk will do it for you. It varies by county. If you need to do it yourself, ask your clerk for a listing of your county’s newspapers.

If the court clerk arranges the publication, the newspaper will send you a bill for publication.  After you pay for the publication, the newspaper will publish your notice of name change.

Cost – There will be a cost for publication in a newspaper – probably around $30

• Step 5. Serve Petition and File Proof of Service. (Minor only)

Adult - If the person whose name is being changed is an adult (age 18 or older), no service is necessary. Service means giving a copy of the court papers to other interested parties.

Child - If you are a minor (under 18), you need to receive consent to change your name from a parent, guardian, or custodian (step two). If you do not obtain consent, you must have notice (step four) served on your parents, guardian or custodian after you have filed the petition.

Service is a formal delivery of notice. Service can be made by:

• Sheriff or

• Certified Mail.

For more information about service, speak with the clerk’s office at the time of filing.

• Step 6. File Certificate of Publication.

After your notice is published, you will receive a certificate of publication from the newspaper. File the certificate with the clerk’s office in the court. After the clerk receives the certificate from the newspaper, they will send your petition to a judge.

If no one objects to your name change and everything is done properly, the judge may sign the Order for Change of Name.