Adult Name Change in Massachusetts: Steps, Cost & Forms
Verified against Massachusetts Probate and Family Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.
An adult name change in Massachusetts is filed in the Probate and Family Court (county of residence), costs about $165, and sometimes requires a newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 6–12 weeks. You'll need the forms below and certified copies of the signed order to update your IDs.
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What it costs
Statewide fee is $165 ($150 base + $15 surcharge); add a $15 citation fee if the court orders it, plus a $22 eFile fee when filing electronically. Waivable with an Affidavit of Indigency
Probate and Family Court in the county where you live
Step by step
- 1
Complete Form CJP-27 (Petition to Change Name of Adult) with your current and requested names, and sign it in front of a notary public — the petition is filed under G.L. c. 210, § 12.
- 2
Complete Form CJP-34 (Court Activity Record Information (CARI) and Warrant Management System Release Request), which the court requires for any petitioner 12 or older so it can run your Massachusetts criminal/court-activity record check.
- 3
File the petition and CJP-34 with the Probate and Family Court in your county — in person, by mail, or by eFile — and pay the $165 filing fee (or file an Affidavit of Indigency to request a fee waiver).
- 4
If the judge orders public notice, publish or post as directed and file proof of publication; if publication would create a safety risk, file Motion CJD-400 asking the court to waive it.
- 5
Attend any scheduled hearing, then obtain the certified Change of Name judgment/decree and use certified copies to update Social Security (SS-5), the RMV, your US passport, and your accounts.
Official forms
Every link goes to the official court or government host — never a paid re-host.
- • The filing fee is set uniformly statewide by the Trial Court's Uniform Schedule of Fees ($150 base + $15 surcharge = $165) and does not vary by county.
- • Massachusetts DOES run a criminal/court-activity record check (CARI) via Form CJP-34 for every petitioner age 12 or older.
- • Under the November 25, 2025 amendments to Uniform Practice XXXV, name-change filings are impounded by default (the case caption and docket number are not) and newspaper publication is no longer automatically required.
Then update your IDs
Once you have the signed order, update Social Security first, then your Massachusetts license, then your passport and accounts.
Adult petition name change in nearby states
Adult (Court) Name Change in Massachusetts: FAQ
How much does a adult (court) name change cost in Massachusetts?
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Massachusetts?
How long does it take in Massachusetts?
What do I do after the judge signs my order in Massachusetts?
Sources
Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:
- www.mass.gov/info-details/how-do-i-file-a-change-of-name-for-an-adult
- www.mass.gov/name-changes
- www.mass.gov/how-to/change-information-on-your-drivers-license-or-id-card
See our verification methodology and themaster source list.