Michigan Legal Name Change: Cost & Process
Researched by the LawLintel Data Team · Sources verified 2026-08-24
- Filing fee
- $175 statewide
- Publication
- Only if a hearing is set — and waivable for good causePA 229 of 2024, effective April 2, 2025
- Fingerprints
- Not required (eliminated by PA 229)
- Court
- Circuit Court — Family Division
Michigan modernized its name-change law with Public Act 229 of 2024 (effective April 2, 2025): the fingerprint requirement is gone, courts may grant adult petitions without any hearing, and when a hearing is set, publication of notice must be skipped on a showing of good cause — explicitly including safety concerns and gender identity.
The filing fee is a uniform $175 statewide in the circuit court's family division, with a one-year county residency requirement. Petitioners disclose any criminal record, which courts can verify electronically instead of demanding fingerprint cards.
Costs & fees
| Item | Amount | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Petition filing fee | $175 | Official fee |
| Publication (only if hearing set and not waived) | $40–$120 | Estimate |
| Certified copies | $10–$15 each | Official fee |
Requirements
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| Residency | 1 year in the filing county |
| Hearing | Discretionary — courts may grant adult petitions on the papers |
| Publication | Only when a hearing is noticed; must be waived for good cause (safety, gender identity) |
| Criminal record | Disclosed in the petition; court may verify via LEIN/ICHAT |
The process, step by step
- File the petition. Petition to Change Name (SCAO form) in the circuit court family division of your county; pay $175 or file Form MC 20 for a waiver.
- Hearing or papers. The court may decide without a hearing. If one is set, publication runs unless waived for good cause.
- Order. The judge signs the order changing your name; buy certified copies.
- Update records. SSA, Secretary of State (license), passport, banks.
Forms & where to file
Circuit Court — Family Division of the county where you've lived for at least one year.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Michigan name change cost?
$175 statewide to file, plus publication only in the shrinking set of cases where a hearing is noticed and no waiver applies. Fee waivers use SCAO Form MC 20.
Are fingerprints required in Michigan?
No — Public Act 229 of 2024 eliminated the fingerprint requirement effective April 2, 2025. You disclose any criminal record in the petition, and courts can verify electronically.
Will my name change be published?
Only if the court sets a hearing — and even then the court must order no publication on a showing of good cause, including safety concerns and gender identity.
Related information
Sources & verification
Official fees and statutory rules above are traceable to the listed authorities; figures marked as estimates are LawLintel editorial estimates, not government fees. Laws and fees change — last verified 2026-08-24. See our methodology and legal disclaimer.
LawLintel provides general legal information, not legal advice. Laws, rules, procedures and fees change and can depend on your specific facts and county. Verify important information with the applicable court or a qualified attorney before acting.