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Minor Child Name Change in Maine: Steps, Cost & Forms

Verified against Maine Probate Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A minor child name change in Maine is filed in the County Probate Court (or District Court if part of a family matter), costs about $40–$100 (typical $40, varies by county), and requires no newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 6–16 weeks. You'll need the forms below and certified copies of the signed order to update your IDs.

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What it costs

Filing fee
$40–$100 (typical $40, varies by county)

The statewide Judicial Branch schedule lists a $40 fee for a Petition for Name Change of Minor; county Probate Court fees may differ. No fee is charged when the name change is part of a divorce, adoption, or parentage action.

Court
County Probate Court (or District Court if part of a family matter)

The Probate Court in the county where you live

Timeline
6–16 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    Complete Form NC-001 (Petition for Name Change of Minor), naming the child, the current name, and the requested name, and file it in the Probate Court where the minor resides (or in the District Court if the request is part of an existing family matter).

  2. 2

    Give notice under the applicable rules of procedure to any other parent, any guardian, any person or agency with legal custody, the guardian ad litem if one is appointed, and the minor if the minor is 14 years of age or older (Title 18-C §1-701).

  3. 3

    Pay the county filing fee (about $40); no fee is charged when the name change is requested as part of a divorce, adoption, or parentage action.

  4. 4

    Attend the hearing — the judge must find the change is in the best interest of the minor by a preponderance of the evidence.

  5. 5

    Obtain the signed order and certified copies, then update the child's Social Security record, school records, and US passport.

Official forms

Every link goes to the official court or government host — never a paid re-host.

FormCodeOfficial link
Petition for Name Change of MinorNC-001Open ↗
Application for a Social Security CardSS-5Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Not required — No newspaper publication is required; instead the petitioner must give direct notice to the other parent and other required parties.
Background check: No background check
Good to know in Maine:
  • • Both parents (plus any guardian or custodian) must receive notice; if a parent cannot be located, ask the court about the notice options under the Maine Rules of Probate Procedure.
  • • A minor who is 14 or older must also be given notice, and the court decides based on the child's best interest, not simply the parents' preference.

Then update your IDs

Once you have the signed order, update Social Security first, then your Maine license, then your passport and accounts.

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Minor child name change in nearby states

New Hampshire →Montana →Hawaii →Rhode Island →

Minor Child Name Change in Maine: FAQ

How much does a minor child name change cost in Maine?
About $40–$100 (typical $40, varies by county), filed in the County Probate Court (or District Court if part of a family matter). The statewide Judicial Branch schedule lists a $40 fee for a Petition for Name Change of Minor; county Probate Court fees may differ. No fee is charged when the name change is part of a divorce, adoption, or parentage action..
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Maine?
No. Maine does not require newspaper publication for this type of name change.
Do both parents have to agree to change a child's name in Maine?
Both parents generally must be notified. If the other parent objects or can't be found, the court decides based on the child's best interest. Both parents (plus any guardian or custodian) must receive notice; if a parent cannot be located, ask the court about the notice options under the Maine Rules of Probate Procedure.
How long does it take in Maine?
Typically 6–16 weeks from filing to a signed order, then Social Security (7–10 business days), the DMV, and your passport (4–6 weeks).
What do I do after the judge signs my order in Maine?
Order certified copies, then update Social Security first, the DMV next, then your passport, banks, and employer. Our Who-To-Notify Checklist builds the full ordered list.

Sources

Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:

See our verification methodology and themaster source list.

Last verified July 16, 2026Reviewed by the Name Change Atlas Editorial Team against official court and .gov sources.

We're re-confirming some fee details for this state against the county court. Always confirm the exact current fee with your court clerk before you file.