How to Legally Change Your Name in Michigan
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 Michigan is filed in the Family Division of the Circuit Court (county of residence) and costs about $175. In Michigan, newspaper publication is required but can be waived for safety, and most cases finish in 8–16 weeks. Marriage and divorce name changes usually need no court petition — the certificate or decree is your legal proof.
Michigan Name-Change Calculator
Pick your state and situation for your exact filing fee, court, forms, and ordered steps.
Michigan name change at a glance
Every figure is verified against Michigan Circuit Court (Family Division) and .gov sources.
| Situation | Court | Filing fee | Publication | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marriage | No court needed | $0 | — | Depends on ID updates |
| Divorce | Circuit Court (through the divorce judgment) | $0 | Not required | 1–4 weeks |
| Adult petition | Family Division of the Circuit Court (county of residence) | $175 | Required (waivable) | 8–16 weeks |
| Minor child | Family Division of the Circuit Court (county of residence) | $175 | Required (waivable) | 8–16 weeks |
| Gender identity | Family Division of the Circuit Court (county of residence) | $175 | Required (waivable) | 8–16 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 judgment)
Court petition to change an adult's name for any reason not tied to marriage or divorce.
$175 · Family Division of the Circuit Court (county of residence)
Petition to change a child's name, with notice or consent rules for both parents.
$175 · Family Division of the Circuit Court (county of residence)
Court name change aligned with gender identity, often with publication waivers.
$175 · Family Division of the Circuit Court (county of residence)
The Michigan name-change process
Most legal name changes in Michigan that aren't tied to a marriage or divorce go through the Family Division of the Circuit Court (county of residence). You file where you live — Family Division of the Circuit Court in the county where you live. The filing fee is $175.
A newspaper notice is required, but the court can waive it in safety or gender-identity cases. a background check may be required depending on your situation. From filing to a signed order usually takes 8–16 weeks.
If the fee is a hardship, ask the clerk about a fee waiver — Michigan's statewide circuit-court name-change filing fee is $175; the judge can waive fees under MCR 2.002 for those who cannot afford them, in which case the court also covers ordered publication costs. Newspaper publication is a separate cost.. 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, Michigan treats it more privately: Michigan lets you request nonpublication and a confidential record for good cause (Form PC 51c); a granted request keeps the name change out of the newspaper and seals the file..
After your order: who to notify
The name change isn't finished at the courthouse. Update Social Security first, then your Michigan driver's license, then your passport — in that order, because each one checks the last.
Michigan name change: FAQ
How much does a name change cost in Michigan?
Do I have to publish a name change in a newspaper in Michigan?
How long does a name change take in Michigan?
Which court handles name changes in Michigan?
Can I get the name-change filing fee waived in Michigan?
What do I do after my name change is approved in Michigan?
Sources
Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:
See our verification methodology and themaster source list.