Step 1. Prepare all forms and gather documents
- Find the Probate and Family Court in the county where the minor resides. You will need this information to complete the forms.
- Prepare all documents required to file the minor’s change of name by using the Checklist of Forms Change of Name for a Minor.
- Sign the Petition to Change Name of Minor (CJP 25) in the presence of a Notary Public.
Note: On the Petition to Change Name of Minor, the minor is the petitioner.
Note: Any minor, who is 12 years of age or older, petitioning to have their name changed is required to sign the Petition to Change Name of Minor in the presence of a notary. If the minor does not have photo identification, you may use a Motion (CJD 400) to ask the court to waive the notarization requirement.
What is the minor's legal name?
If they were born in the United States...
In general, a US born person’s legal name is the name shown on his or her U.S. birth certificate unless the person’s name has changed based on certain events, such as a marriage or a valid court order for a name change.
If they were born outside of the United States...
A foreign-born person’s legal name is the name shown on his or her immigration document unless the person’s name has changed based on certain events, such as a marriage or a valid court order for a name change.
Step 2. File the forms with the court and pay the fee
Is there a cost to change the name of a minor?
Yes, the fee for filing a name change petition is: $150 Filing Fee + $15 Surcharge Fee + $15 Citation Fee = $180 Total Filing Fee
Note: If you are financially unable to pay the fee go to Indigency (waiver of court fees) to see if you qualify to have your fees waived. If you qualify, you will need to file your Affidavit of Indigency with the forms required on the checklist.
Note: If an entire family seeks a name change or two or more children who have the same legal parents seek a name change, a separate petition must be filed for each person whose name is seeking to be changed, but you will only have to pay one fee for the entire family (unless the filing fee is otherwise waived by the Court pursuant to G. L. c. 261.
Where do I file?
You must file the minor’s forms at the Probate and Family Court in the county where the minor resides. Find your Probate and Family Court location.
What are my filing options?
Bring the forms and documents to the courthouse in person. You can pay by bank check, money order, or credit card at the courthouse OR
Mail the forms, documents, and a bank check or money order for the entire fee to the court OR
File on-line (E-File) the forms, documents, and pay the fee. There is an additional fee to eFile.
Step 3. Serve the citation
A citation gets served to any legal parent or guardian who has not approved the petition. This gets done by serving a copy of the petition by mail, return receipt requested. See Service of Process in the Courts for more information.
You don’t need to give notice if:
- The legal parent or guardian has completed an adoption surrender
- The court has terminated parental rights
- The court has otherwise waived notice
If the name change is requested by anyone who is incarcerated, on probation or parole, or committed to the Massachusetts Treatment Center as a sexually dangerous person, you must also serve the citation by mail on:
- The Massachusetts Department of Correction or the Massachusetts Parole Board
- The office of the prosecuting official (District Attorney, Attorney General, or U.S. Attorney) and the sheriff’s office(s) in the jurisdiction where the conviction(s) or delinquency adjudications happened
- The Sex Offender Registry Board and the prosecuting official if you’re required to register as a sex offender
Only if ordered by the Court, you will be required to publish the top section of the Citation in a newspaper that the court lists on page two (2) of the citation. You will need to publish at least seven (7) days before the return date listed on page one (1) on the Citation.
Note: You may be required by the court to file a Military Affidavit (TC0002) 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.
Step 4. File the citation return of service with the court
You must file the Citation with a completed page three (3), the Return of Service, with the court showing that you provided the correct notice of your name change.
You will be required to file proof that you followed the court’s order. Proof of service may include:
- Return receipts for any mailing.
If ordered by the court to publish, a copy of the posting in the newspaper where the citation was published (must include the date).
If the publication was in Massachusetts, you can print a copy of the posting in the newspaper which published your citation on the Massachusetts Newspaper Publishers Association website.
If you were unable to complete the required notifications by mail, you may need to file forms Motion for Alternate Service and Affidavit of Diligent Search (CJP 31) and Military Affidavit (TC002).
Step 5. What happens next?
The court may allow the minor’s change of name without anyone having to appear at the courthouse or you may receive a notice that a hearing will be held.
If the minor’s name change was handled administratively, meaning no one had to come to court, you will be mailed a certified Decree of Change of Name and the case is completed. If you requested your original documents back, these will be included.
If you and the minor are required to attend a hearing, you will receive a notice in the mail that includes a date, time, and location where you need to appear. Bring copies of all documents with you, including any proof of service to the hearing.
What do I do if I need more help?
Additional Helpful Links
Where can I go if I want more information on name changes?
| Date published: | May 3, 2024 |
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| Last updated: | October 22, 2025 |