Get access to historic name change records

Find out which types of historic name change records are available through the court archives and how you can access them.

Judicial Archives for the Supreme Judicial Court Archives

The Details   of Get access to historic name change records

What you need   for Get access to historic name change records

Before 1852, name changes got processed from the General Court. Anyone could request a legal change of name. Parties had to fill out a petition to the legislature requesting the change. The petition and resulting legislation are being held in the Massachusetts Archives. The Archives also have petitions that didn't get legislative approval.

Chapter 256, Acts of 1851, transferred jurisdiction over name changes to the county Probate & Family Courts. Annual returns of name changes were sent by the Probate & Family Courts to the state secretary's office until 1900. The returns were also published annually in the printed volumes of Acts and Resolves, 1852-1913. Name changes dating between 1780 and 1892, including both those enacted by the legislature and those decreed by the probate judges, were published in the volume List of Persons Whose Names Have Been Changed in Massachusetts. The book, which is thoroughly indexed, provides the:

  • Original name
  • New name
  • Date of change
  • Chapter number of the legislative statute or the location of the Probate & Family Court

It's important to note that the information above only applies to name changes that were authorized by the General Court or Probate & Family Courts. Many people changed their names informally and didn't record the change with the state government. Immigrants' names may have been anglicized or had the spelling changed slightly when they arrived in the United States, but these changes aren't usually documented. Name changes for naturalized citizens may be referenced in their naturalization records.

Fees   for Get access to historic name change records

If you need an up-to-date name change certificate there is a fee of $20. You can request the certificate at the Probate and Family Court in the county the name change was filed. The cutoff date for who manages the certificates depends on the specific county. Earlier records may have a nominal fee if you want certified or hard copies. 

How to get   Get access to historic name change records

The best way to access name change records is to contact the Judicial Archives at (617) 557-1087. If you're looking for your own name change record, please see Get a copy of your Probate & Family Court record

The best way to access name change records is to fill out and submit the Court Archives Information Request Form. If you're looking for your own name change record, please see Get a copy of your Probate & Family Court record

Contact   for Get access to historic name change records

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