How do I legally change my name in Maryland?

Q: How do I legally change my name in Maryland?

Maryland adult name changes are governed by Maryland Rules 15-901 and 15-902 and filed in the circuit court of the county of residence. 1. File the Petition - Complete a Petition for Change of Name including current/proposed name and reasons. - File with the circuit court clerk ; filing fee is approximately $185 (Baltimore City: $185; Montgomery: $185). - Must be a Maryland resident. 2. Publication - Publish notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county once at least 15 days before the deadline for objections (typically 30 days after filing) (Md. Rule 15-901(e)). - Cost: $50–$200. - Publication waiver available for petitioners who show that publication would endanger their safety or that of a minor (Md. Rule 15-901(f)) — commonly granted for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and transgender petitioners. 3. Objection Period - Any interested person may file an objection within 30 days of publication. - If no objection, court may grant on papers; if objection, court holds hearing. 4. After the Decree - Certified copies ($5 each). - File SSA Form SS-5 (free). - Update Maryland DL at MVA ($20), passport, voter registration, banks. 5. Gender-Marker Name Change - Maryland Rule 15-902 facilitates confidential name changes for gender-identity reasons; records may be sealed. 6. Divorce-Based Restoration - Md. Code, Family Law § 7-105 allows restoration of a former name in the divorce judgment without separate name-change proceeding. This is legal information, not legal advice.

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Accepted Answer

Maryland adult name changes are governed by Maryland Rules 15-901 and 15-902 and filed in the circuit court of the county of residence.

1. File the Petition

Complete a Petition for Change of Name including current/proposed name and reasons.

File with the circuit court clerk; filing fee is approximately $185 (Baltimore City: $185; Montgomery: $185).

Must be a Maryland resident.

2. Publication

Publish notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county once at least 15 days before the deadline for objections (typically 30 days after filing) (Md. Rule 15-901(e)).

Cost: $50–$200.

Publication waiver available for petitioners who show that publication would endanger their safety or that of a minor (Md. Rule 15-901(f)) — commonly granted for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and transgender petitioners.

3. Objection Period

Any interested person may file an objection within 30 days of publication.

If no objection, court may grant on papers; if objection, court holds hearing.

4. After the Decree

Certified copies ($5 each).

File SSA Form SS-5 (free).

Update Maryland DL at MVA ($20), passport, voter registration, banks.

5. Gender-Marker Name Change

Maryland Rule 15-902 facilitates confidential name changes for gender-identity reasons; records may be sealed.

6. Divorce-Based Restoration

Md. Code, Family Law § 7-105 allows restoration of a former name in the divorce judgment without separate name-change proceeding.

This is legal information, not legal advice.