Probate and Family Court eFiling: Change of Name

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Gather and fill out all necessary name change forms. Please refer to the complete Change of Name for Adult checklist here: Change of Name Checklist for Adults.

Name Change information and court forms:

Name Change Information

• How to legally change your name as an adult
• Change of Name Checklist for Adults
• Name Change forms

For additional information and assistance, please visit one of our Probate and Family Court Virtual Registries. 

Gather and fill out all necessary name change forms. Please refer to the complete checklist here: Change of Name Checklist for Minors.

Name Change information and court forms:

Name Change Information

• How to legally change the name of a child under 18
• Change of Name Checklist for Minors
• Name Change forms

For additional information and assistance, please visit one of our Probate and Family Court Virtual Registries. 

Access the eFiling site to register at eFileMA and click on the "Get Started!" icon. You will need to create an account and include a debit or credit card on file. If you do not have a debit or credit card, you can use your banking information. You will also find self-help tutorials, Frequently Asked Questions, and web training sessions to help you eFile for the first time.

For a brief overview of the eFiling Process in the Probate and Family Court Department, you can go to eFiling in the Probate and Family Court.

Please note: You can still file your Change of Name paperwork directly at the courthouse in person or by mailing.

The court filing fee for Change of Name for Adult or Minor is $180. In addition to the court filing fee, there is a one-time fee of $22, plus a credit card processing fee (of total amount). 

There is only one filing fee of $180 per family, however, each adult and/or child(ren) need to have their own petition and required documents filed. Each petition and required filings must be filed one at a time, each being given its own filing number. If there are multiple petitions being filed for the family, it is asked that they be submitted into the eFiling system on the same day and time (one right after the other).

Once you complete the first petition and it has been submitted with the fees paid, then file the next petition and required documents. In the payment fee section, select “waiver” as the payment option. This will remove all fees associated with the filing and will then show $0. Continue this process for each additional child who is requesting a Change of Name.

The additional petitions will only be accepted by the court if the fee has been paid on the adult/first petition filed, unless you are filing an Affidavit of Indigency (please see process below).

You can file an Affidavit of Indigency with your filings. You may also need to include the Supplement to the Affidavit of Indigency form. These forms and additional information can be found here: Apply for indigency (waiver of court fees and costs).

When you are finished uploading all of the required filings for your Change of Name, in the fee section, select “waiver” as your payment option. This will remove all fees associated with the filing and will then show $0. 

Please note: If your Affidavit of Indigency is not approved by the court after your eFiling has been accepted, you may need to pay the court fee of $180 to have you case completed. You will be contacted by the court if fees need to be paid.

You will receive a citation (Notice and Order) by mail to your address listed on the petition. Instructions will be included within the citation provided. 

Yes, you can eFile your the Return of Service as a subsequent filing under the docket # the court has provided you. There will not be any additional fees to eFile into your existing Change of Name case. You also have the option to file in person or by mail.

You will need to contact or visit the local Probate and Family Court you are filing your Change of Name in or visit one of our Probate and Family Court Virtual Registries.

You can also access the court’s service centers, but not all locations have this option. To talk to a service center online using Zoom, see Accessing Court Service Centers and Law Libraries remotely.

You must contact Tyler using the number provided if there are any technical issues within the Tyler website. To contact Tyler: 1-800-297-5377. All procedural questions can still be directed to the court.