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.

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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

What is this form package?

The Massachusetts Name Change Instructions and Forms Package for a Family provides all necessary documentation and guidance for families in Massachusetts desiring to change their names legally. This package is unique in that it offers detailed instructions and specific forms required for the process, differentiating it from generic name change forms. With this form package, you will have everything you need to smoothly navigate the legal name change process in your state.

What’s included in this form 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 this form package is needed

This form package should be used when:

A family member wishes to change their name for personal reasons.
A child is being adopted and needs a name change.
Family members are uniting under a single name after marriage or other circumstances.
The family is seeking to correct a name or spelling error in official documents.

Who this form package is for

Families residing in Massachusetts wishing to change their names.
Individuals who have legal reasons for altering their name.
Parents seeking to change their childâs name.
Anyone eligible to file in the Probate Court of their county.

How to prepare this document

Carefully read the included instructions and Massachusetts law summary.
Complete all forms using full names and accurate details.
Gather required documents, including a certified copy of the petitioner's birth certificate.
File the completed forms along with the requisite filing fee at the appropriate Probate and Family Court.
Publish the notice of your name change in a local newspaper as instructed.
Attend the court hearing on the scheduled date to present your case.

Notarization details for included forms

Yes, forms in this package must be notarized to be legally valid. It is essential to sign the forms in the presence of a notary when indicated, ensuring compliance with Massachusetts legal requirements. US Legal Forms offers integrated online notarization services that are available 24/7, allowing for secure video calls to facilitate notarization without needing to travel.

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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

Failing to check for spelling errors in names on the forms.
Not including all required documentation when filing the Petition.
Missing the deadline for publishing the notice of name change.
Neglecting to obtain a copy of the filed documents for personal records.

Benefits of using this package online

Convenient access to all necessary forms and instructions at any time.
Ability to fill out forms digitally, saving time and ensuring clarity.
Instant downloads of documents that you can print from your home or office.
Guidance crafted by licensed attorneys to help you navigate the legal process.

Quick recap

This package provides all necessary forms and detailed instructions for a family name change in Massachusetts.
Understand the specific requirements and local laws that apply to your situation.
Avoid common mistakes to ensure a smoother process.
Consider using online notarization for your convenience.

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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.