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Adult Name Change in Michigan: Steps, Cost & Forms

Verified against Michigan Circuit Court (Family Division) and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

An adult name change in Michigan is filed in the Family Division of the Circuit Court (county of residence), costs about $175, and requires a newspaper notice unless it's waived. Most cases finish in 8–16 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

Filing fee
$175

Michigan's statewide circuit-court name-change filing fee is $175; the judge can waive fees under MCR 2.002 for those who cannot afford them, in which case the court also covers ordered publication costs. Newspaper publication is a separate cost.

Court
Family Division of the Circuit Court (county of residence)

Family Division of the Circuit Court in the county where you live

Timeline
8–16 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    Complete Form PC 51 (Petition for Name Change) and file it with the Family Division of the Circuit Court in the county where you have lived for at least one year, paying the $175 fee or requesting a fee waiver.

  2. 2

    If you are under 22, complete the required criminal-history background check; as of April 2, 2025 (Public Act 229 of 2024) fingerprint-based checks are no longer required for petitioners age 22 or older.

  3. 3

    Unless the judge grants nonpublication for good cause, publish notice of the hearing in a local newspaper using Form PC 50 and file the proof of publication.

  4. 4

    Attend the hearing; if the judge grants the petition, they sign Form PC 52 (Order Following Hearing Regarding Petition for Name Change).

  5. 5

    Order certified copies of the PC 52 order and use them to update Social Security, the Michigan SOS, your passport, and your accounts.

Official forms

Every link goes to the official court or government host — never a paid re-host.

FormCodeOfficial link
Petition for Name ChangePC 51Open ↗
Publication of Notice of Hearing Regarding Petition for Name ChangePC 50Open ↗
Order Following Hearing Regarding Petition for Name ChangePC 52Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Required (waivable) — Notice of the hearing must be published in a local newspaper (Form PC 50) unless the judge grants nonpublication for good cause, such as a safety risk; a fee waiver also covers the publication cost.
Background check: Background check sometimes required
Good to know in Michigan:
  • • Michigan dropped the fingerprint/background-check requirement for adults 22 and older effective April 2, 2025; petitioners under 22 still complete a background check.
  • • You must have lived in the county for at least one year before filing the petition.

Then update your IDs

Once you have the signed order, update Social Security first, then your Michigan license, then your passport and accounts.

Who to notify →Build my checklist →See my timeline →

Adult petition name change in nearby states

North Carolina →New Jersey →Georgia →Virginia →

Adult (Court) Name Change in Michigan: FAQ

How much does a adult (court) name change cost in Michigan?
About $175, filed in the Family Division of the Circuit Court (county of residence). Michigan's statewide circuit-court name-change filing fee is $175; the judge can waive fees under MCR 2.002 for those who cannot afford them, in which case the court also covers ordered publication costs. Newspaper publication is a separate cost..
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Michigan?
Usually, but it can be waived. Notice of the hearing must be published in a local newspaper (Form PC 50) unless the judge grants nonpublication for good cause, such as a safety risk; a fee waiver also covers the publication cost.
How long does it take in Michigan?
Typically 8–16 weeks from filing to a signed order, then Social Security (7–10 business days), the DMV, and your passport (4–6 weeks).
What do I do after the judge signs my order in Michigan?
Order certified copies, then update Social Security first, the DMV next, then your passport, banks, and employer. Our Who-To-Notify Checklist builds the full ordered list.

Sources

Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:

See our verification methodology and themaster source list.

Last verified July 16, 2026Reviewed by the Name Change Atlas Editorial Team against official court and .gov sources.