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 and publish in the newspaper
After you have filed all required documents, the court will give you a Citation on Petition for Change of Name (CJP 28). If a family wants to change the name of 2 or more children with the same legal parents or guardians, you will only have 1 citation. For more information on how to provide correct notice, use Instructions for Notice in Change of Name (CJP 906).
- Mail to Legal Parents and Guardians: Unless all legal parents and any court appointed guardians have signed the petition or filed assents with the court, you will need to mail a copy of the Petition and Citation to them by certified or registered mail with a return receipt requested.
- Publish in the Newspaper: 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) of the Citation. See the Sample Citation below.
Note: If you believe there is a reason why you should not publish the minor’s name change in the newspaper, you may file a Motion (CJD 400) asking the court to waive publication. A judge will review your request and allow or deny it. - Depending on your circumstances, you may be required to notify additional persons or organizations. See the Probate and Family Court Petition to Change Name of Minor (CJP 25) for more help with finding out who needs to be notified of the change of name.
If you were unable to complete the required notifications by mail or you do not know where a legal parent or guardian reside, you will need to file forms Motion for Alternate Service and Affidavit of Diligent Search (CJP 31) and Military Affidavit (TC0002).
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.
Sample Citation
Looking at the image of the example citation below, you would contact the Nantucket Current newspaper and ask that the Citation be published before 4/8/2023 which is 7 days before 4/15/23, the return day listed on the Citation.
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:
- 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 online.
- Return receipts for any mailing.
- If you are required to mail your petition and citation to an interested person, you will need to do so by certified and registered mail, return receipt requested. You will need to ask the Post Office to provide you with the return receipt for the mailing. You will file the return receipt (green card) with the court showing that you completed the mailing correctly.
If you were unable to complete the required notifications by mail, you will 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 |