Legal Name Change
Requirements
- Must be a Livingston County resident for one year prior to filing.
- $185.00 filing fee. Includes one certified copy of the Order Changing Name.
Minors
Both the birth mother and the birth father must consent. Both must sign the Petition or give their consent by signing a Waiver & Consent Form PC 561. If you are unable to get the other parent’s consent, there is additional paperwork and instructions that the Clerk’s staff can provide. The other non-consenting parent must be provided notice of the name change request for a minor.
Filing Instructions
Complete the following forms that apply and then file at our Office.
- Name Change Petition (PC 51)
- One petition per name change. An adult petition may also include the spouse and /or minor child(ren) from the same family may be listed on the same petition.
- Adults and minors over the age of 14 must sign the petition and appear for the hearing.
- Publication & Notice of Hearing (PC 563)
- Required for every Name Change Petition. Our Office will provide a hearing date and time.
- You will be responsible to pay a publication fee to the newspaper.
- Notice of Hearing (MC 326)
- Needed only for Minor name changes when the Petition does not include the other parents consent or signature.
- Our Office will provide a hearing date and time.
- Circuit Court Praecipe
- Will be provided by the Clerk when filed.
- Order Following Hearing on Petition to Change Name (PC 52)
- Required for every Name Change Petition. Complete only the first line with name as it is now and #13 with name as it is now, proposed name, and date of birth.
