Name Change Petition in Michigan
Start with the official Michigan form
The canonical, court-accepted version of this form is published by the Probate Court (or Circuit Court in some counties). Search your county or district court's website for the current Name Change Petition form before relying on any template. Forms are revised periodically — always confirm you have the current revision before filing.
Verify with your local court clerk before filing: local rules sometimes add cover-sheet, formatting, or service requirements beyond what the state-issued form shows.
Michigan Requirements
- Petition must include current name, proposed new name, and reason for change
- Fingerprinting and criminal background check required
- Publication of the hearing date in a newspaper of general circulation required (may be waived for safety)
- Court hearing required — judge reviews petition and any objections
- Name change for minors requires both parents' consent or proof that the other parent cannot be found
Probate Court (or Circuit Court in some counties)
$150–$175
How to Complete This Form
- 1Obtain a name change petition form from your local court or court website.
- 2Complete the petition with your current legal name, proposed new name, and reason for the change.
- 3File the petition with the court clerk and pay the filing fee.
- 4If required by your state, complete fingerprinting and a criminal background check.
- 5If required, publish notice of the name change in a designated newspaper for the required period.
- 6Attend the court hearing and bring identification and any supporting documents.
- 7After the court grants the order, update your name on identification documents, bank accounts, and other records.
Editorial Template (Not the Official Court Form)
This is an educational template showing the typical structure of a Name Change Petition in Michigan. It is not a court-validated form and should not be used in place of the official form issued by the Probate Court (or Circuit Court in some counties). Use this template only to understand what information you will need to assemble before completing the official form. Submitting this template instead of the official form may result in rejection by the court clerk.
Name Change Petition in Other States
Other Forms in Michigan
When to Talk to a Lawyer
- You have a criminal record or are a registered sex offender and your state imposes additional requirements.
- You are changing a minor child's name and the other parent objects or cannot be located.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.