How to Legally Change Your Name in Maryland
Filing fee, court, publication rules, official forms, and a free calculator that builds your exact steps. Last verified July 16, 2026.
An adult name change in Maryland is filed in the Circuit Court (Family/Domestic) and costs about $165. In Maryland, newspaper publication is required but can be waived for safety, and most cases finish in 6–12 weeks. Marriage and divorce name changes usually need no court petition — the certificate or decree is your legal proof.
Maryland Name-Change Calculator
Pick your state and situation for your exact filing fee, court, forms, and ordered steps.
Maryland name change at a glance
Every figure is verified against Maryland Circuit Court and .gov sources.
| Situation | Court | Filing fee | Publication | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marriage | No court needed | $0 | — | Depends on ID updates |
| Divorce | Circuit Court (through the divorce decree or Form CC-DR-097) | $0 | Not required | 1–4 weeks |
| Adult petition | Circuit Court (Family/Domestic) | $165 | Required (waivable) | 6–12 weeks |
| Minor child | Circuit Court (Family/Domestic) | $165 | Required (waivable) | 8–16 weeks |
| Gender identity | Circuit Court (judicial declaration of gender identity, which can include a name change) | $165 | Required (waivable) | 4–10 weeks |
Choose your situation
Take your spouse's name or hyphenate — usually no court petition needed.
No court petition
Restore your former or maiden name through the divorce decree or a short filing.
$0 · Circuit Court (through the divorce decree or Form CC-DR-097)
Court petition to change an adult's name for any reason not tied to marriage or divorce.
$165 · Circuit Court (Family/Domestic)
Petition to change a child's name, with notice or consent rules for both parents.
$165 · Circuit Court (Family/Domestic)
Court name change aligned with gender identity, often with publication waivers.
$165 · Circuit Court (judicial declaration of gender identity, which can include a name change)
The Maryland name-change process
Most legal name changes in Maryland that aren't tied to a marriage or divorce go through the Circuit Court (Family/Domestic). You file where you live — Circuit Court in the county (or Baltimore City) where you live, work, or were born. The filing fee is $165.
A newspaper notice is required, but the court can waive it in safety or gender-identity cases. From filing to a signed order usually takes 6–12 weeks.
If the fee is a hardship, ask the clerk about a fee waiver — Statewide $165 Circuit Court filing fee; waivable with a request to waive prepaid costs. Confirm the exact filing fee with your county court clerk.. Once the judge signs your order, order several certified copies; you'll need one for Social Security, the DMV, and your passport.
For a name change to match your gender identity, Maryland treats it more privately: The court must waive the newspaper publication requirement on the petitioner's motion, and you can ask the court to seal or limit inspection of the case record for safety..
After your order: who to notify
The name change isn't finished at the courthouse. Update Social Security first, then your Maryland driver's license, then your passport — in that order, because each one checks the last.
Maryland name change: FAQ
How much does a name change cost in Maryland?
Do I have to publish a name change in a newspaper in Maryland?
How long does a name change take in Maryland?
Which court handles name changes in Maryland?
Can I get the name-change filing fee waived in Maryland?
What do I do after my name change is approved in Maryland?
Sources
Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:
- www.mdcourts.gov/legalhelp/family/namechange
- www.mdcourts.gov/genderidentity
- mva.maryland.gov/licenses-ids/update-name-address-or-other-license-info
See our verification methodology and themaster source list.