Legal Packet

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MARYLAND )

) ss.

[COUNTY] COUNTY )

________________________________________________________________________________

IN THE MATTER OF:

[CURRENT FULL LEGAL NAME],

Petitioner.

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PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME

[CIRCUIT] COURT FOR [COUNTY] COUNTY

Case No.: _______________

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COMES NOW Petitioner, [CURRENT FULL LEGAL NAME], and files this Petition for

Change of Name pursuant to Maryland Rule 15-901, and in support thereof states

as follows:

JURISDICTION

1. Under Maryland Rule 15-901, "An individual may file a petition for change of

name in the circuit court of the county in which the petitioner resides."

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

of this county for at least [NUMBER] months/years.

PETITIONER INFORMATION

1. Petitioner's current full legal name is: [CURRENT FULL LEGAL NAME]

1. Petitioner desires to change name to: [NEW FULL LEGAL NAME]

1. Petitioner's date of birth: [DATE OF BIRTH]

1. Petitioner's place of birth: [CITY], [STATE]

1. Petitioner's Social Security Number: [XXX-XX-XXXX]

1. Petitioner's current address: [STREET ADDRESS], [CITY], MD [ZIP]

1. Petitioner's driver's license number: [STATE] [NUMBER]

REASON FOR NAME CHANGE

1. Petitioner desires to change [his/her/their] name for the following reason(s):

[Check all that apply and provide details:]

[ ] Marriage / Return to maiden name

[Explain]

[ ] Divorce

Under Md. Code, Family Law § 7-105, "In granting a decree of absolute divorce

or on motion of a party filed within 18 months after a final decree of

absolute divorce is entered, the court shall change the name of the

requesting party to either the name given the party at birth or any other

former name the party wishes to use if: (1) the party took a new name on

marriage and no longer wishes to use it; (2) the party asks for the change

of name; and (3) the purpose of the party is not illegal, fraudulent, or

immoral."

[Explain]

[ ] Adoption

[Explain]

[ ] Gender identity / Gender affirmation

[Explain]

[ ] Personal preference

[Explain]

[ ] Religious reasons

[Explain]

[ ] Other: [Explain in detail]

1. Petitioner states that this name change is not being sought to:

• Defraud or mislead any person or entity
• Avoid creditors or legal obligations
• Evade law enforcement
• Compromise public safety
• Cause injury to any individual

BACKGROUND AND CERTIFICATIONS

1. Petitioner [has/has not] been convicted of a felony.

[If yes, provide details:] [List offense(s), case number(s), court(s), and

date(s) of conviction.]

1. Petitioner [is/is not] currently involved in any pending legal proceedings.

[If yes, provide details:]

1. Petitioner [has/has not] previously filed a petition for change of name in

this or any other court.

[If yes, provide details:] [Case number, court, date, and outcome]

PUBLICATION

1. Under Maryland Rule 15-901, notice of the petition shall be published once

a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in

the county where the petition is filed.

1. Under Md. Code, Courts & Judicial Proceedings § 3-2201, "On motion by an

individual who has filed an action for change of name under Maryland Rule

15-901, the court shall waive the publication requirement under the rule."

1. Petitioner [requests/does not request] a waiver of the publication

requirement for the following reason(s):

[If requesting waiver, explain why:]

1. If publication is required, Petitioner requests that the court designate the

following newspaper:

[NEWSPAPER NAME]

[NEWSPAPER ADDRESS]

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests that this Court:

a) [If applicable:] Waive the publication requirement;

b) Order publication of notice of this petition in a newspaper designated by the

Court, once each week for three consecutive weeks;

c) After due proof of publication or waiver, enter an Order changing Petitioner's

name from [CURRENT NAME] to [NEW NAME];

d) Direct the appropriate authorities to update Petitioner's records to reflect

the name change;

e) Grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

VERIFICATION

I, [CURRENT FULL LEGAL NAME], declare under penalty of perjury pursuant to

Md. Code, Criminal Law § 9-101 that I am the Petitioner in this matter; that I

have read the foregoing Petition; and that the facts stated therein are true and

correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

I further certify that I am not changing my name to defraud or mislead any

person, to avoid creditors or legal obligations, to evade law enforcement, to

compromise public safety, or to cause injury to any individual.

Executed this ___ day of _____________, 20___.

______________________________

[SIGNATURE]

[CURRENT FULL LEGAL NAME, printed]

[ADDRESS]

[CITY, STATE, ZIP]

[PHONE NUMBER]

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FILING INSTRUCTIONS

FORMATTING REQUIREMENT (Md. Rule 1-301(c)):

Every document filed with a Maryland court must have 1.5-inch top AND left

margins on all pages. Right and bottom margins must be at least 1 inch.

NOTE: Maryland's 1.5-inch top AND left margin requirement is unique — verify

both margins before filing.

Circuit Court for [County] County

Court: Circuit Court for [County] County, Maryland

Address: [County Courthouse Address]

Filing Fee: Approximately $50-150 (varies by county)

Fee Waiver: Request fee waiver from clerk if unable to pay

Publication Requirements (Maryland Rule 15-901):

1. After filing, the court will designate a newspaper OR you may request a specific one
2. Publish notice once each week for THREE consecutive weeks
3. File proof of publication (affidavit from newspaper) with the court
4. Publication costs approximately $50-150 depending on newspaper

Waiver of Publication:

Under Md. Code, Courts & Judicial Proceedings § 3-2201, you may request a waiver

of the publication requirement. The court MUST grant the waiver if you request it.

Common reasons to request waiver:

• Safety concerns (domestic violence, stalking)
• Privacy concerns
• Financial hardship

Required Documents:

1. Petition for Change of Name (this document)
2. Certified copy of your birth certificate
3. Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, state ID)
4. Proof of Maryland residency (utility bill, lease, voter registration)
5. Background check (some counties require this)
6. Filing fee or fee waiver request

After the Order is Granted:

1. Get certified copies of the Order from the clerk (cost: approximately $5-10 per copy)
2. Update your Social Security card at the Social Security Administration
3. Update your driver's license at the MVA within 30 days
4. Update your birth certificate (if born in Maryland) with the Division of Vital Records
5. Update banks, employers, schools, insurance, and other accounts

For Divorce-Related Name Changes:

Under Md. Code, Family Law § 7-105, you may request a name change as part of your

divorce proceeding OR within 18 months after the divorce is final. This is often

simpler than filing a separate name change petition.

Key Statutory References:

• Maryland Rule 15-901 — Action for change of name
• Md. Code, Courts & Judicial Proceedings § 3-2201 — Waiver of publication requirement
• Md. Code, Family Law § 7-105 — Change of name in divorce proceeding
• Md. Code, Family Law § 2-504 — Marriage record amendment after name change

Court Locations by Major County:

• Baltimore City: 111 North Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
• Montgomery County: 50 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850
• Prince George's County: 14735 Main Street, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
• Baltimore County: 401 Bosley Avenue, Towson, MD 21204
• Anne Arundel County: 8 Church Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401
• Howard County: 8360 Court Avenue, Ellicott City, MD 21043
• Frederick County: 100 West Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701

Legal Aid Resources:

• Maryland Legal Aid: https://www.mdlab.org | 1-800-999-8904
• Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service: (410) 547-6537
• Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland: (800) 492-1664
• LSC Finder: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/find-legal-aid

Important Notes:

• The court must waive publication if you request it under § 3-2201
• If you have a criminal history, the court will review your petition carefully
• The name change does NOT affect your legal obligations, debts, or criminal record
• You must notify the court if you are involved in any pending legal proceedings
• For divorce-related name changes, use Family Law § 7-105 instead

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Jurisdiction-correct document templates. Not legal advice.

Document Version: MD-NAME-2026-01

Last Updated: March 2026

Statutory Reference: Maryland Rule 15-901; Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 3-2201; Md. Code, Fam. Law § 7-105