Do both parents have to sign off on a name change?

Both parents must applyBoth parents named on the child's birth certificate must apply to change their child's name.

How do you change a minor's name in MA?

If you live in Massachusetts and are 18 or older, you can file a Petition for Change of Name. Parents may file to change their child's name if the child is a minor. You can file your name change forms at the Probate and Family Court in the county you live in.

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Massachusetts Name Change Instructions and Forms Package for a Minor

Massachusetts Name Change Instructions and Forms Package for a Minor

Q: Do both parents have to sign off on a name change?

Both parents must applyBoth parents named on the child&#039;s birth certificate must apply to change their child&#039;s name.

Q: Can you change your daughters name without father&#039;s consent?

Generally, you will not be able to change your child&#039;s surname without the permission of the other parent if: the other parent is listed on the Child&#039;s Birth Certificate, and.

State:

Category:

Name Change - General

Control #:

MA-NAME-2

Format:

48 downloads

About this form package

The Massachusetts Name Change Instructions and Forms Package for a Minor is a comprehensive set of legal documents designed to help parents or legal guardians navigate the process of legally changing a minor's name in Massachusetts. This package includes state-specific information, necessary forms, and step-by-step instructions tailored to ensure a smooth experience. By using this legal form package, you can efficiently manage the name change process while adhering to the specific regulations of your state.

Forms provided in this package

Massachusetts Name Change Instructions and Forms Package for an Adult

View this form

Massachusetts Name Change Instructions and Forms Package for a Family

View this form

Adoption Package for Prospective Parents

View this form

Name Change Questionnaire

View this form

Waiver and Release From Liability For Minor Child for School Field Trip

View this form

When this form package is needed

This form package is essential when:

You wish to change the name of a minor child.
You are the parent or legal guardian with physical custody of the child.
The child is a resident of the county where the petition will be filed.
There is a valid reason for the name change, such as a divorce, marriage, or desire to reflect a child's individual identity.

Who should use this form package

Parents or legal guardians looking to change the name of their minor child.
Individuals with legal custody of the minor.
Any person needing guidance on the legal name change process for a child in Massachusetts.

How to prepare this document

Review the included forms and instructions carefully.
Complete all forms with accurate details, ensuring correct spelling and using full names rather than initials.
Obtain the necessary consents from other parents or guardians where applicable.
File all completed forms along with required supporting documents at your local Probate and Family Court.
Attend the court hearing as scheduled and provide any additional information as required.
After receiving the signed decree, notify relevant agencies and individuals of the name change.

Notarization details for included forms

Yes, forms in this package must be notarized to be legally valid. Obtaining a notarization ensures that your documents are officially recognized by the court. You can utilize US Legal Forms' integrated online notarization service, which is available 24/7 and provides secure video calls, making the process efficient and straightforward.

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Make edits, fill in missing information, and update formatting in US Legal Forms—just like you would in MS Word.

Download a copy, print it, send it by email, or mail it via USPS—whatever works best for your next step.

Sign and collect signatures with our SignNow integration. Send to multiple recipients, set reminders, and more. Go Premium to unlock E-Sign.

If this form requires notarization, complete it online through a secure video call—no need to meet a notary in person or wait for an appointment.

We protect your documents and personal data by following strict security and privacy standards.

Mistakes to watch out for

Entering incomplete or misspelled names, which can cause processing delays.
Failing to secure consent from another parent or guardian when necessary.
Not filing the forms with the appropriate court or department.
Missing the court hearing, which can impede the name change process.

Benefits of completing this package online

Convenience of downloading and printing forms at your own pace.
Access to comprehensive instructions that guide you through each step of the name change process.
Editability of forms allows for customization to meet specific needs.
Designed by licensed attorneys to ensure accuracy and compliance with state laws.

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FAQ

Complete the Petition for Change of Name. Obtain the form Petition for Change of Name online or at the court. Complete the Court Activity Record Information form. Submit the forms. Publish the required notice. Finalizing the name change.

Both legal parents have the right to name a child or to request a name change. However, one parent can't change a child's name without the approval of the other parent. Thus, if the mother doesn't approve, then the father requesting the name change must file a petition with the court for a decision.

Both parents must applyBoth parents named on the child's birth certificate must apply to change their child's name.

Parents in Massachusetts are permitted to change the name of their child as long as the minor is in their legal custody. Anyone under the age of eighteen (18) is considered a minor. In order to legally change their child's name, the parent or legal guardian must file a petition with their county court.

Generally, you will not be able to change your child's surname without the permission of the other parent if: the other parent is listed on the Child's Birth Certificate, and.

If you live in Massachusetts and are 18 or older, you can file a Petition for Change of Name. Parents may file to change their child's name if the child is a minor. You can file your name change forms at the Probate and Family Court in the county you live in.

First, you file the Petition for Change of Name for your child. Then, you will get a court date between 6 and 12 weeks away. If the court approves your request, you will get a court order called a "decree" changing your child's name. The court process can take up to 3 months, though in busier courts it may take longer.

A child age 14 or older must consent to their own name change. If any of the children are 14 or older, each child must complete a consent. This is the form the judge signs to grant the child's name change.Make sure to indicate whether or not a new birth certificate should be issued for the child with the new name.

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Massachusetts Name Change Instructions and Forms Package for a Minor

Note: This summary is not intended to be an all inclusive discussion of the law applicable to an action for change of name in Massachusetts, but does include basic and other provisions.

Name Change Action Allowed: In Massachusetts, a person may change their name by filing an action in the Probate Court with appropriate forms.

Who is an adult? A person who has attained the age of 18 years is considered an adult.

Who is a minor? A person who has not attained the age of 18 years is considered a minor.

Is there any reason why a person might not be allowed to change his or her name? Yes. The court must find that the requested name change is consistent with the public interest. A person is not allowed to change their name in order to avoid judgments or legal actions against him or her, or to avoid debts and obligations. A person can not change their name to defraud any person.

Must the child agree to the name change? No, but the court may consider the wishes of a child old enough to express their wishes in considering whether to grant the Petition.

Must the parent(s) of the minor agree to the name change? This is not a specific requirement of the statute, but it is not unreasonable to expect the court to require notice to any parent or guardian not joining the petition and to give that person an oppotunity to present any objections they may have to the name change petition.

Requirements for Name Change Order: For an order of name change to be granted, the court must finds sufficient reasons for the change and also find it consistent with the public interest. A change of name upon marriage, dissolution, or divorce meets these requirements.

Is Publication of a Notice Required? Yes, unless waived by the court at the request of the petitioner.

Who must be provided notice of the Petition? The General Public by way of publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

Can individuals object to my Petition for Name Change? Yes. Any reasonable objections made to the court may influence the court's findings as to whether the change of name is consistent with the public interest.

Procedures: The process for obtaining a name change for an adult in the State of Massachusetts begins with the filing of a Petition with the Probate Court in the jurisdiction in which name, the name the Petitioner wishes to adopt, and the reasons for the requested change of name.

The petitioner must attach a copy of their birth record to the petition. This requirement may be waived by the court if the judge is convinced it is not available.

Unless waived by the court, the Petitioner is required to give public notice of the relief requested and the date of the hearing in a local newspaper. The court will determine how many times the notice of the petition will be published. Once the publication requirement is satisfied and proof of the publication is filed with the court.

Once the requiremnts of the petition and the noice have been satisfied the court may rule on the petition. The petition will be granted unless the court finds it not to be in the public interest.

Additonal Information and Instructions

Statutes:

Petitions for change of name:

A petition for the change of name of a person may be heard by the probate court in the county where the petitioner resides. The change of name of a person shall be granted unless such change is inconsistent with public interests. Mass. Gen. L. Part II. Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations, Title III Domestic Relations, Chapter 210. Adoption of Children and Change of Names, Section 12.

Notice and certificate; decree; entry; conditions precedent:

The court shall, before decreeing a change of name, request a report from the commissioner of probation on the person filing the petition and, except for good cause shown, require public notice of the petition to be given and any person may be heard thereon, and, upon entry of a decree, the name as established thereby shall be the legal name of the petitioner, and the register may issue a certificate, under the seal of the court, of the name as so established.

No decree shall be entered, however, until there has been filed in the court a copy of the birth record of the person whose name is sought to be changed and, in case such person's name has previously been changed by decree of court or at marriage pursuant to section one D of chapter forty-six, either a copy of the record of his birth amended to conform to the previous decree changing his name, a copy of such decree, or a copy of the record of marriage; provided, that the filing of any such copy may be dispensed with if the judge is satisfied that it cannot be obtained. Mass. Gen. L. Part II. Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations, Title III Domestic Relations, Chapter 210. Adoption of Children and Change of Names, Section 13.

Each register of probate shall annually, in December, make a return to the commissioner of public health and the commissioner of probation of all changes of name made in his court. Mass. Gen. L. Part II. Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations, Title III Domestic Relations, Chapter 210. Adoption of Children and Change of Names, Section 14.

Other Name Change References

Age of majority; legal capacity:

Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, any person domiciled in the commonwealth who has reached the age of eighteen shall for all purposes, and any other person who has reached the age of eighteen shall with respect to any transaction governed by the law of the commonwealth, be deemed of full legal capacity unless legally incapacitated for some reason other than insufficient age. Mass. Gen. L. Part III. Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases, Title II Actions and Proceedings Therein, Chapter 231. Pleading and Practice, Section 85p.