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

Verified against Maryland Circuit Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A minor child name change in Maryland is filed in the Circuit Court (Family/Domestic), costs about $165, and requires a newspaper notice unless it's waived. Most cases finish in 8–16 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
$165

Same $165 Circuit Court filing fee as an adult petition; waivable. Confirm the exact filing fee with your county court clerk.

Court
Circuit Court (Family/Domestic)

Circuit Court in the county (or Baltimore City) where you live, work, or were born

Timeline
8–16 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    A parent, guardian, or custodian completes the Petition for Change of Name of a Minor (CC-DR-062), naming the child and the requested name, and files it in the Circuit Court where the minor lives or where a parent, guardian, or custodian lives.

  2. 2

    Attach every available consent: a minor at least 10 years old can use Form CC-DR-119, and each parent, guardian, or custodian can consent (or object) using Form CC-DR-063.

  3. 3

    For any parent, guardian, or custodian who does not consent, the clerk issues a notice that you must serve on them; they have 30 days from service to consent or object in writing, and failure to object is deemed consent.

  4. 4

    Pay the $165 filing fee or request a fee waiver, then attend any hearing the court schedules; the judge decides based on the child's best interest.

  5. 5

    Get certified copies of the signed order and update the child's Social Security record, birth certificate, school records, and passport.

Official forms

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

FormCodeOfficial link
Petition for Change of Name of a MinorCC-DR-062Open ↗
Parent's/Guardian's/Custodian's Consent/Objection to Change of Name of a MinorCC-DR-063Open ↗
Minor's Consent/Objection to Change of NameCC-DR-119Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Required (waivable) — Publication under Rule 15-901 applies unless the court waives it on motion; a non-consenting parent, guardian, or custodian must instead be personally served with the notice and case documents.
Background check: No background check
Good to know in Maryland:
  • • Every parent, guardian, and custodian who has not consented must be served with notice and given 30 days to object; the case is far easier when all of them consent.
  • • If your child was born in Maryland, is under 12 months old, and both parents agree, the Maryland Department of Health can change the name without a court order.
  • • Changing a child's name has no effect on child support, paternity, or other rights and obligations.

Then update your IDs

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

Who to notify →Build my checklist →See my timeline →

Minor child name change in nearby states

Missouri →Wisconsin →Indiana →Colorado →

Minor Child Name Change in Maryland: FAQ

How much does a minor child name change cost in Maryland?
About $165, filed in the Circuit Court (Family/Domestic). Same $165 Circuit Court filing fee as an adult petition; waivable. Confirm the exact filing fee with your county court clerk..
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Maryland?
Usually, but it can be waived. Publication under Rule 15-901 applies unless the court waives it on motion; a non-consenting parent, guardian, or custodian must instead be personally served with the notice and case documents.
Do both parents have to agree to change a child's name in Maryland?
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. Every parent, guardian, and custodian who has not consented must be served with notice and given 30 days to object; the case is far easier when all of them consent.
How long does it take in Maryland?
Typically 8–16 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 Maryland?
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.