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Checklist of Forms: Change of Name for Minor

A comprehensive list of forms - both required and recommended - for a Petition to Change Name of Minor Form (CJP 25).
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Required

Petition to Change Name of Minor (CJP 25)

This form must be signed in the presence of a Notary Public.

Note: You may be asked to provide a photo identification with your current legal name and a photo identification of the minor.

If the minor does not have photo identification, you may use a Motion (CJD 400) to ask the court to waive the notarization requirement.

Contact the Notary for more information on what proof they require.

Visit Mass.gov to find a Notary Public. 

A certified copy of minor’s birth record (certificate)

You must file a certified copy of the minor’s birth record (certificate).

How to request a certified copy of a birth record (certificate) from Massachusetts

How to request a certified copy of a birth record (certificate) if the minor was born elsewhere

Note: If the minor was born out of state and plan to bring evidence of the name change back to that state, you may need to provide additional information to the court. Please contact the state where you were born for more information on updating your name in that state.

Note: If a certified copy of the birth certificate is in another language, it must include a written translation signed by the person translating the birth certificate with a statement that they are fluent in the foreign language and English and that the translation is a true and accurate translation.

Court Activity Record Information (CARI) and Warrant Management System (WMS) Release Request form (CJP 34)*

This form is required for a minor 12 (twelve) or older who is seeking a name change.

Certified copy of any prior name change**

Common name change documents include, but are not limited to:

  • Certificates of Change of Name
  • Certified copies of orders, judgements, or court documents
  • Certificates of Naturalization

Note: If child has had a name change due to an adoption and received a new birth certificate. You need to only file the new birth certificate and not any adoption decree.

Affidavit Disclosing Care or Custody Proceeding (OCAJ-1-TRC)

This form must be completed. Even if there has been no prior or other court involvement with the minor child.

May Need

Motion (CJD 400)

Use this form to make additional requests to the court. For example:

  • Motion to waive the publication requirement.
  • Motion to impound part or all of the case.
  • Motion to waive notarization requirement.

Motions are requests made to the court. The court will make a final decision if this will be allowed.

Military Affidavit (TC0002)

File this form if:

  • the address or whereabouts of a legal parent or court-appointed guardian is unknown.
  • the address or whereabouts of a legal parent or court-appointed guardian is known, but service cannot be accomplished by registered or certified mail despite diligent efforts.

NOTE: You may be required by the court to file this form before a decree will enter if you have provided proper notice, but the legal parent or court-appointed guardian has not filed an answer or an assent.

Motion for Alternate Service and Affidavit of Diligent Search (CJP 31)

File this form if:

  • the address or whereabouts of a legal parent or court-appointed guardian is unknown.
  • the address or whereabouts of a legal parent or court-appointed guardian is known, but service cannot be accomplished by registered or certified mail despite diligent efforts.

Assent to Petition to Change Name of Minor (CJP 30)

This may be filed if a legal parent or guardian did not assent by signing the Petition.

If a legal parent or guardian is deceased, a certified copy of the legal parent’s death certificate will need to be filed.

Proof of Appointment of Guardian of the minor if issued by a court.

This is needed if a Guardian has already been allowed to take care of the child by a court order.

Proof of termination of parental rights.

This is needed if a parent has signed a voluntary surrender and it was allowed by the court or the court has terminated a parent’s parental rights after a court hearing.

*Required if the minor is 12 years old or older.

**Required if you have changed your name before.

Date published: August 26, 2025
Last updated: May 6, 2024

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