How to legally change your name in Michigan

Changing your name when you get married is easy. Changing your name for any other reason can be... well... a challenge.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• A few hundred dollars
• Your current ID
• A nice outfit

1. Start the process.
   
   Go to your county courthouse. Find the proper office and procure a "petition for name change" form. Fill it out and turn it in - this part will probably cost you a pretty penny. This is the biggest expense right here. If you are married, only one of you needs to fill it out; your spouse and children can ride along. When you turn it in, they will give you an extra copy of your form.
2. Prove yourself.
   
   Now take a trip to the police station and take multiple forms of ID with you. You (and your spouse, if applicable) need to get fingerprinted. This will cost you a little bit. They should give you two official-looking copies of your precious prints.
3. Snail mail.
   
   Take your copy of your petition for name change (from step one), one copy of your fingerprints (from step two), and a check or money order, and put them in an envelope. Remember to keep a copy of everything for your own records, too.
   
   The envelope needs to go to the police at the state capitol. Go to your state government's website; not only can you find the address you will need, but you will also find out exactly how much money they want. Keep in mind that any cost is doubled if you are sending in prints for two different people.
   
   They are going to run your fingerprints through the system to check your prison record, etc. If they find something suspicious, it may lead them to believe that you are changing your name for "the wrong reasons."
4. Tell the world.
   
   Once they're done working their magic, the state will send the results to both you and the courthouse. Upon receiving the good news, the courthouse will send you a letter telling you to get published.
   
   Visit your local newspaper. Bring your ID, petition for name change (yes, that ol' thing), and money. Tell them that you need to publish your intent to get your name legally changed, and they should know what to do. Do not let them confuse this with a free marriage announcement; this is legal business.
5. Read your paper.
   
   Within a week or two, you will find your name change announcement in the paper. Shortly thereafter, the newspaper will mail you an affidavit. This will contain the clipping and a statement saying that they did indeed publish your information.
6. Make a date.
   
   Your courthouse will, at some point, mail you something informing you of your court date. Take this day off of work if necessary - you need to be there on time.
7. Back to the courthouse.
   
   Take your affidavit from the newspaper and take it to the courthouse. This should be done sometime before the date of your hearing. It lets them know that everything has been done and is ready to go.
8. Hearing.
   
   Dress up and go to the courthouse yet again on the day of your hearing. Bring all of your papers, just in case you need them. Show up a little early, just in case they are running ahead of the game. Find the right room and wait for your turn.
   
   When it is finally time to go, you (and your spouse, if applicable) go sit at one of the tables just like on TV. The judge will have you swear to be honest, and then he or she will ask you a few questions pertaining to the name change. Be ready to tell the judge why you want a new name, how you chose it, and if you owe any creditors money.
   
   This is the part where, hopefully, the judge will approve your petition of name change and make your new name legal and official. You will get a piece of paper saying so; this paper needs to go to a different room in the courthouse and get endorsed with a stamp and seal.
   
   DO NOT LOSE THIS PAPER!!
9. Congratulate yourself!
   
   You have now completed your name change in the eyes of the law. This is no simple process, no matter what the people at the courthouse may think.
10. Now for the rest of the world...
    
    Take your statement of name change (the official-looking thing with the seal) and let everyone know: the secretary of state for your drivers license, your bank, your credit card companies, your employer, etc. etc. ad nauseum.

Tips & Warnings

• Each paper you get will tell you the next step in the process. If you get confused or lost, you can always call the courthouse or visit and ask for an explanation.
• Hang on to everything! Once the name change is final, you can throw some of your paperwork away, but you don't want to risk trashing something you will need on your court date.
• I am not a legal expert. If there are more complicated issues involved, such as split custody of a child, then you may need to get a lawyer.
• I completed my name change in Michigan. The process may be slightly different in your state.