How much does it cost to publish a name change?

When you file your name change forms, you'll have to pay the California state filing fee. The California name change cost is $435.

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 much does it cost for a man to change his last name?

In general, anyone can legally change their name for any reason except to commit fraud or evade the law. To make it official, you'll need a court order legally changing your name. The procedure for getting that order depends on the state and county where you liveand the cost will range from $150 to $436.

US Legal Forms
Massachusetts Name Change Instructions and Forms Package for a Family

Massachusetts Name Change Instructions and Forms Package for a Family

Q: How much does it cost to publish a name change?

When you file your name change forms, you&#039;ll have to pay the California state filing fee. The California name change cost is $435.

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.

Category:

Name Change - General

State:

Massachusetts

Control #:

MA-NAME-3

Format:

Instant download

About this form package

The Massachusetts Name Change Instructions and Forms Package for a Family is designed to guide families through the legal process of changing names in the state of Massachusetts. This package includes all necessary forms, specific instructions, and a summary of state laws regarding name changes, differentiating it from other offerings by providing comprehensive support tailored for families. By utilizing this package, families can simplify and streamline the name change process in compliance with Massachusetts legal requirements.

Forms included 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 Minor

View this form

Adoption Package for Prospective Parents

View this form

USLegal Pamphlet on Stepparent Adoption

View this form

Name Change Questionnaire

View this form

When to use this document

This form package is useful in various situations, including:

When a family member wishes to change their last name due to marriage, divorce, or personal preference.
When children in a family need their names changed to align with a new family surname.
When a family wants to collectively adopt a new family name.

Who can use this document

Families residing in Massachusetts looking to initiate a name change legally.
Individuals within a family who wish to change their last name for personal, legal, or identity reasons.
Guardians or parents acting on behalf of minors who need to change their names.

Instructions for completing these forms

Review the attached instructions and law summary to understand your eligibility and the process.
Complete all forms using full names, ensuring accuracy in spelling and details.
Prepare and submit the forms along with any required documents, such as a certified copy of the birth certificate, to the Probate and Family Court.
Publish a notice of the name change in a local newspaper as instructed.
Attend the hearing and present the petition for the name change as required.

Notarization guidance for this package

Some forms in this package need notarization to be legally binding. Our online notarization service, powered by Notarize, lets you verify and sign documents remotely through an encrypted video session, available 24/7.

Typical mistakes to avoid

Failing to check the spelling of names, which can lead to delays.
Not completing all forms or required fields before submission.
Neglecting to publish the notice of name change in the local newspaper.
Missing the hearing appointment or failing to bring necessary documents.

Benefits of using this package online

Convenience of downloading forms and instructions from the comfort of home.
Editability allows users to complete forms digitally, reducing errors.
Included state-specific legal information ensures compliance with local requirements.
Accessibility to professional legal documentation at an affordable price.

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FAQ

The docketing process can take anywhere from three weeks to two months, where many courts in Massachusetts only process Change of Name Petitions once per month. After the Petition is processed, the court issues a citation that is mailed to the Petitioner.

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.

When you file your name change forms, you'll have to pay the California state filing fee. The California name change cost is $435.

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

A $150 filing fee and a $15 surcharge for filing is required. An additional $15 is required if a citation is ordered, and if publication is required, you will be responsible for the cost of taking out an ad in the newspaper.

In general, anyone can legally change their name for any reason except to commit fraud or evade the law. To make it official, you'll need a court order legally changing your name. The procedure for getting that order depends on the state and county where you liveand the cost will range from $150 to $436.

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Massachusetts Name Change Instructions and Forms Package for a Family

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.