Maryland Name Change Instructions and Forms Package

STATE OF MARYLAND
NAME CHANGE
ADULT PACKET

Prepared by U.S. Legal Forms, Inc.
Copyright 2016 - U.S. Legal Forms, Inc.

Control Number – MD-00001

This packet contains the following:

1. Instructions;

2. Forms List; and

3. Access to Maryland Law Summary.

I. EXPLANATION OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME

A. In Maryland, an action for a court ordered Change of Name begins with the filing of a Petition For Change of Name in the Circuit court. A Notice of the requested name change must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which you reside unless the Court grants a waiver of publication or permits an alternative method of giving notice such as posting in the courthouse.

B. The forms in this packet include the necessary information for an Adult Name Change in the State of Maryland.

C. You can use this packet if:

► You are at least 18 years of age and have been a resident of the county in which you will file for the required amount of time as reflected in the law summary.

► You have proper and reasonable cause for the requested change of name.

► You may not use these forms to change a name in connection with an adoption or a divorce.

► You are not changing your name to avoid debts or defraud creditors.

II. WHAT FORMS ARE INCLUDED

A. Civil Domestic Case Information Report – (MD-NC-101) a case tracking form required by most Maryland courts.

B. Petition for Change of Name - (MD-NC-102) This document states the reasons and other required details for your name change.

C. Notice - (MD-NC-103) Notice that your Petition for Change of Name has been filed and the matter has been set for hearing. This should be published in the newspaper prior to the hearing.

D. Certificate of Publication – (MD-NC-104) form used by the newspaper to provide sworn affirmation that publication of the notice was made as required.

E. Order for Change of Name - (MD-NC-105) This is the final statement of the legalities and terms of your name change.

F. Motion to Post in Lieu of Publication – (MD-NC-106) allows posting of the Notice at the courthouse which will save the cost of publication.

G. Order to Post in Lieu of Publication – (MD-NC-107) order granting motion to post.

III. PROCEDURE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (ADULT) FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND

A. Preliminary Note:

1. The attached forms may be completed by:

a. Printing the forms and completing by hand. Use black ink and print neatly.

b. Printing the forms and completing using a typewriter.

c. By completing the forms on your computer using a word processing program and then printing the forms.

2. Use complete names and not initials. Check your spelling carefully, a misspelled word can delay your name change.

3. Attach to the documents to be filed with the court, a copy of your birth certificate or other document reflecting your current name (the one you want to change from).

4. Print three (3) complete sets of forms.

5. All forms with a heading require the heading be completed.

6. Forms that require your signature and include a notary block must be signed in the presence of the notary or court clerk.

7. When a form is filed with the court, request the clerk “file-stamp” one copy of the form for your file.

8. A Law Summary is available and can be printed for your State.

B. Procedure

STEP 1 - Completion of the Petition for Change of Name (Adult), Notice for Publication and Order for Change of Name

A. Fill out the Petition for Change of Name, as indicated.

B. Sign the Petition.

C. Fill out the top section and first paragraph of the Notice for Publication. Leave the second paragraph blank.

D. Fill out the Order for Change of Name, except for the date and Judge’s signature.

STEP 2 - Attachment of Birth Certificate

Attach to the documents to be filed with the court, a copy of your birth certificate or other document reflecting your current name (the one you want to change from).

STEP 3 - Filing of Documents

File the above documents with the Clerk of the court at the circuit court for the county in which you reside. Pay the filing fee.

STEP 4 - Pay for the Publication of the Notice

The newspaper will send you an invoice to have the Notice published. You are required to pay this invoice.

STEP 5 - Consideration of Petition and Issuance of Order

After the Clerk receives the confirmation from the newspaper, they will send your Petition to a judge. If no one has contested the change, the judge will usually sign the Order for Name Change.

Step 6 – Notification of government agencies, Businesses and individuals of the legal change in your name.

To assist you in completing the name change process, forms and instructions are available for notifying government agencies and others of a name change.

NOTES ON COMPLETING THESE FORMS

The form(s) in this packet contain “form fields” created using Microsoft Word. “Form fields” facilitate completion of the forms using your computer.

It is also helpful to be able to see the location of the form fields. Go to the View menu, click on Toolbars, and then select Forms.

In order to use the form fields properly, it is necessary to “lock or protect” the document.

After any required changes and re-protecting the document, click on the first form field and enter the required information.

FORMS

Civil Domestic Case Information Report

Court Name:

Petitioner Name:

Action/Cause No.:

Address:

Petition for Change of Name

Current Name:

Requested New Name:

County:

State:

Effective Date:

Reason for Name Change:

Notice for Publication

Notice Text:

Certificate of Publication

Newspaper Name:

Publication Date:

Published: I certify publication was completed as required.

Order for Change of Name

Judge Name:

Order Date:

Motion to Post in Lieu of Publication

Request to Post in Courthouse:

Supporting Reason:

Order to Post in Lieu of Publication

Granted: Motion granted by court

Judge Signature / Petitioner Signature Section:

Additional Information