The petitioner must begin by completing one of two Petition for Name Change forms:

• Form PC 51 – Used for standard name change requests.
• Form PC 51c – Used when the petitioner requires confidentiality.

Along with the Petition for Name Change, individuals will also need to fill out an Addendum to Protected Personal Identifying Information (Form MC 97a) and the Contact Information (Form MC 505).

Paperwork must be submitted to the family division of the circuit court in the county where the petitioner has lived for at least one year, and a filing fee must be paid at the time of submission (charges vary by county).^[1]

The court may schedule a hearing for the name change request.^[2] In this case, the clerk will inform the petitioner of where and when it will be held.

Unless the court directs otherwise, the petitioner must publish a Publication of Notice (Form PC 50) in a local newspaper. After publication, the newspaper will issue an Affidavit of Publication, which the petitioner must file with the court along with the original Publication of Notice.

If no hearing is required, the court will mail the petitioner a notice stating whether the name change has been approved. If a hearing is required, the petitioner must appear in court and explain their case. Once approved, the judge will sign an Order to Change Name granting the petitioner’s request.

A marriage certificate provides the proof needed to change a surname. It may be presented to the Social Security Administration, the Michigan Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics, and other government agencies to update the spouse’s personal records.

When filing for divorce, a spouse may ask the judge for permission to change their last name, and if the request is granted, the judgment of divorce serves as legal evidence of the name change.