Maryland Name Change Packet — LSC-Grade Legal Guide
Jurisdiction-correct document templates. Not legal advice.
1. Eligibility Checker — Who Can Change Their Name in Maryland
You ARE eligible if:
Special Requirements for Minors
Restrictions
File at: Maryland court finder: https://www.mdcourts.gov/circuit
2. Required Forms
| Form Name | Purpose | Where to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Petition for Change of Name | Requests the court to change your name | Circuit Court Clerk's office or Maryland Judiciary website |
| Order for Notice | Sets publication requirements | Court will provide |
| Notice of Name Change | Newspaper publication | Newspaper will help format |
| Order for Change of Name | Final court order | Submit proposed form |
Petition Requirements (MD Rule 15-802)
Your petition must include:
- Your current full legal name
- The name you want to change to
- Your reason for wanting the change
- Statement of Maryland residency (at least 3 months)
- Verification by affidavit
3. Step-by-Step Filing Instructions
Step 1: Complete Your Petition
- Obtain form from Circuit Court Clerk or mdcourts.gov
- Fill in all required information
- Include your current name, requested new name, and reasons
Step 2: Get Your Petition Notarized
- Take your unsigned petition to a notary public
- Bring valid government-issued photo ID
- Sign the petition in front of the notary
Step 3: File with the Circuit Court Clerk
- Go to the Circuit Court Clerk's office in your county
- Pay the filing fee ($50–$165)
- The clerk will stamp your documents and assign a case number
Step 4: Publish Notice
- The court will issue an Order for Notice
Step 5: Attend Hearing (If Required)
Step 6: Get Certified Copies
5. Filing Checklist
- [ ] Completed Petition for Change of Name
- [ ] Petition notarized
- [ ] Valid government-issued photo ID
- [ ] Proof of Maryland residency (3+ months)
- [ ] Filing fee ($50–$165)
- [ ] Fee waiver application (if needed)
- [ ] 3 copies of all documents
- [ ] Published notice in newspaper
- [ ] Filed Affidavit of Publication
LEGAL AID
- Maryland Legal Aid: mdlab.org · 1-800-999-8904
- Women's Law Center of MD: wlcmd.org · (410) 321-8761
- House of Ruth MD (DV): hruth.org · 1-888-880-7884
- MD Courts Self-Help: mdcourts.gov/selfhelp · (410) 260-1394
10. Sample Petition Language
`
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR [COUNTY NAME], MARYLAND
IN RE: CHANGE OF NAME OF
[YOUR CURRENT FULL LEGAL NAME]
)
) Case No.: _______________
)
) PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME
Petitioner, [Your Current Full Legal Name], respectfully requests that this
Court grant a change of name, and states as follows:
- Petitioner is a resident of [County Name] County, Maryland, and has
been a Maryland resident for at least 3 months.
- Petitioner's current full legal name is [Your Current Full Legal Name].
- Petitioner desires to change their name to [Your New Full Legal Name].
- The reason for this requested name change is: [Brief explanation]
- Petitioner is not seeking this name change to defraud creditors or
avoid criminal prosecution.
WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests that this Court enter an Order
changing Petitioner's name from [Current Name] to [New Name].
_______________________________
[Your Current Full Legal Name]
Petitioner
STATE OF MARYLAND )
) ss.
COUNTY OF ________ )
I, [Your Current Full Legal Name], being duly sworn, depose and say that
the foregoing is true to the best of my knowledge.
_______________________________
Petitioner
Sworn before me this _____ day of _______________, 20___.
_______________________________
Notary Public
My Commission Expires: __________
`
*Not legal advice. Jurist-Diction is not a law firm. Templates are jurisdiction-correct.
Verify current law before filing. For legal advice contact a licensed Maryland attorney or legal aid. jurist-diction.com*