How to Change to Your Married Name in Michigan
Many people choose to change their surname after getting married. In Michigan, a legal name change requires some paperwork, filing fees and a routine court hearing. According to Michigan Courts, if you are 22 years of age or older, you also need to be fingerprinted. Additionally, you must be a resident for at least one year of the county in which you request the name change. After attending the hearing, if your requested change has been approved, the judge will sign the order to make your new name official.
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Instructions
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Obtain a Petition to Change Name. This form (PC 51) is available at your circuit county court, or you can obtain it online at the Michigan Courts website.
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Fill in the appropriate information, such as your current name and your new, requested name. On question two, check off box "A" for a name change for marriage purposes. Sign and date the form on the designated lines. Ask the court clerk how many copies of this form you need.
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File the petition with your circuit court clerk. Pay the fee, which is $150 as of 2010, according to Michigan Courts. Fees are typically payable by cash or money order. Provide the clerk with a postage-paid and pre-addressed envelope. They will use this to mail you the notice of your court hearing.
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Visit your town's police department. Ask them for a fingerprint card and bring a copy of your Petition to Change Name. The fee for fingerprinting you will vary, depending on the police department.
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Mail the fingerprint card and a copy of the petition to the Michigan State Police. Include the requested fee (the fee may vary; call the state police to verify the amount). This fee is payable by check.
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Attend the hearing on the designated day. Be on time and prepared to answer questions about why you desire your name change. Changing your name to your married name is a relatively routine procedure. If you have a criminal record, you may need to prove that you are not changing your name with fraudulent intentions.
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Pay a fee to the court for the preparation of the order for the name change, if the court has approved your request. As of 2010, this fee was $10, according to Michigan Courts. Pay another $10 to get an additional certified copy, if desired. Call the court ahead of time to see if a check will be accepted.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have not received a hearing notice from the court after eight weeks, you may call them.
