How Do I Legally Change My Name in Minnesota?

Changing your name in Minnesota is relatively easy.

Minnesota law allows you to change your name as long as you have lived in Minnesota for at least six months and are at least 18 years old. You may also change the name of any minor children of yours as long as you have the knowledge and consent of their other parent. The process is fairly simple and straightforward; you will probably be able to change your name without any outside legal assistance.

Instructions

1. Visit the Court Administrator's Office and obtain the following forms: Application for Name Change, Criminal History Check Release and Proposed Order Granting Name Change.

2. Fill out the following forms completely: Application for Name Change and Criminal History Check Release. Begin to fill out the Proposed Order Granting Name Change form but stop when you reach the "IT IS ORDERED" section. These forms will ask you for information such as the name and date of birth of your spouse and any minor children you have, regardless of whether these people are also requesting name changes. The forms will also ask you to list any land that you, your spouse or your children own.

3. Sign the forms in front of a notary public or a deputy court administrator.

4. Mail or hand-deliver the signed forms and the filing fee to the district court in your county of residence. The fee depends on the county but you can expect to pay over $300. Visit mncourts.gov, click on "District Courts" and click on the MN Judicial District that contains your county for specific information on fees and the delivery location.

5. Attend a hearing at the date and time specified by the Court Administrator's Office. Bring two people, such as friends, family members or co-workers, who can testify as to your identity.

Tips & Warnings

• These instructions apply to the general population. If you are a prison inmate or have been convicted of a felony, your instructions will be slightly different. Inmates must fill out the Inmate Affidavit for Name Change in addition to the other forms mentioned above. Convicted felons must serve notice of their intended name change to the jurisdiction that obtained the conviction and, if that jurisdiction was out of state, also to the Minnesota Attorney General. The prosecuting authority may then object to the name change, usually resulting in a denial of the name change request.

References

• Minnesota Judicial Branch: Court Forms

Resources

• Minnesota Judicial Branch: Minnesota District Courts