Maryland Name Change Packet — LSC-Grade Legal Guide

This packet is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For legal advice, contact a licensed Maryland attorney or your local legal aid organization.

Quick Facts: Name Change in Maryland

1. Eligibility Checker — Who Can Change Their Name in Maryland

You ARE eligible if:

• You have lived in Maryland for at least 3 months
• You are at least 18 years old (minors need parent/guardian to petition)
• You are not changing your name to defraud creditors or others
• You are not changing your name to avoid criminal prosecution

Special Requirements for Minors

If changing a minor child's name:

• Both parents must typically consent
• If parents disagree, the court applies the best interest of the child standard
• Notice must be given to both parents
• The child may be interviewed by the judge

Restrictions

You may NOT change your name if:

• You are changing it to avoid paying debts
• You are changing it to escape criminal liability
• You are changing it to infringe on someone else's identity

2. Required Forms

Petition Requirements (MD Rule 15-802)

Your petition must include:

1. Your current full legal name
2. The name you want to change to
3. Your reason for wanting the change
4. Statement of Maryland residency (at least 3 months)
5. Verification by affidavit

3. Step-by-Step Filing Instructions

Step 1: Complete Your Petition

1. Obtain form from Circuit Court Clerk or mdcourts.gov
2. Fill in all required information
3. Include your current name, requested new name, and reasons

Step 2: Get Your Petition Notarized

1. Take your unsigned petition to a notary public
2. Bring valid government-issued photo ID
3. Sign the petition in front of the notary

Step 3: File with the Circuit Court Clerk

1. Go to the Circuit Court Clerk's office in your county
2. Pay the filing fee ($50–$165)
3. The clerk will stamp your documents and assign a case number

Step 4: Publish Notice

1. The court will issue an Order for Notice
2. Publish notice in a newspaper of general circulation
3. Publication typically runs once a week for 3 consecutive weeks
4. File the Affidavit of Publication with the court

Step 5: Attend Hearing (If Required)

1. Dress appropriately
2. Arrive 15–30 minutes early
3. Bring government-issued photo ID
4. Bring Affidavit of Publication

Step 6: Get Certified Copies

1. After the judge signs your Order, get at least 3 certified copies
2. You will need these to update official records

4. Court Information by County

Baltimore City

• Court: Circuit Court for Baltimore City
• Address: 111 N. Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
• Phone: (410) 333-3760
• Filing Fee: Approximately $165
• Fee Waiver: Available

Montgomery County (Rockville)

• Court: Circuit Court for Montgomery County
• Address: 50 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850
• Phone: (240) 777-9400
• Filing Fee: Approximately $165
• Fee Waiver: Available

Prince George's County (Upper Marlboro)

• Court: Circuit Court for Prince George's County
• Address: 14735 Main Street, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
• Phone: (301) 780-8000
• Filing Fee: Approximately $165
• Fee Waiver: Available

Baltimore County (Towson)

• Court: Circuit Court for Baltimore County
• Address: 401 Bosley Avenue, Towson, MD 21204
• Phone: (410) 887-2139
• Filing Fee: Approximately $100
• Fee Waiver: Available

Anne Arundel County (Annapolis)

• Court: Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County
• Address: 8 Church Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401
• Phone: (410) 222-1397
• Filing Fee: Approximately $100
• Fee Waiver: Available

Howard County (Ellicott City)

• Court: Circuit Court for Howard County
• Address: 8360 Court Avenue, Ellicott City, MD 21043
• Phone: (410) 313-2111
• Filing Fee: Approximately $100
• Fee Waiver: Available

Frederick County

• Court: Circuit Court for Frederick County
• Address: 100 W. Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701
• Phone: (301) 600-1976
• Filing Fee: Approximately $100
• Fee Waiver: Available

Harford County (Bel Air)

• Court: Circuit Court for Harford County
• Address: 20 S. Main Street, Bel Air, MD 21014
• Phone: (410) 638-3426
• Filing Fee: Approximately $100
• Fee Waiver: Available

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

After filing:

• [ ] Published notice in newspaper
• [ ] Filed Affidavit of Publication

6. What to Bring to the Hearing

• [ ] Government-issued photo ID
• [ ] Copy of filed petition
• [ ] Affidavit of Publication
• [ ] Proof of residency
• [ ] Proposed Order for Change of Name

7. What Happens After Filing

Timeline

After the Order

Update Social Security:

1. Complete Form SS-5
2. Bring certified court order and ID
3. Visit Social Security office

Update Maryland Driver's License:

1. Bring court order and new Social Security card
2. Visit MVA office
3. Fee: $20

8. Local Legal Aid Resources

LSC-Funded Legal Aid in Maryland

Additional Resources

9. Controlling Statute Citations

• MD Code, Health-General, § 4-211 — Change of name
• MD Rule 15-801 — Applicability
• MD Rule 15-802 — Petition for change of name
• MD Rule 15-803 — Order for change of name

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:

1. Petitioner is a resident of [County Name] County, Maryland, and has

been a Maryland resident for at least 3 months.

1. Petitioner's current full legal name is [Your Current Full Legal Name].

1. Petitioner desires to change their name to [Your New Full Legal Name].

1. The reason for this requested name change is: [Brief explanation]

1. 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: __________

`

Disclaimer

This packet is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For legal advice, contact a licensed Maryland attorney or Maryland Legal Aid at (410) 539-5340.

Last updated: March 2026 | Jurist-Diction | "The law, precisely spoken."

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