Changing Your Name in Maryland
How adults change their legal name in Maryland: the court petition, publication, fees, and restoring a name after divorce.
Short answer: An adult files a Petition for Change of Name of an Adult (form CC-DR-060) in the circuit court of the county where the person lives, works, carries on a regular business, or was born, attaching documents showing the current legal name. Md. Rule 15-901; Maryland Courts, Name Change
| Legal name change | An adult files a Petition for Change of Name of an Adult (form CC-DR-060) in the circuit court of the county where the person lives, works, carries on a regular business, or was born, attaching documents showing the current legal name. Anyone with a valid reason may file an objection within 30 days after the petition is filed. The Maryland Judiciary lists a $165 filing fee, which may be waived for those who cannot afford it. Records can be limited from public view only for a special and compelling reason. |
|---|---|
| Changing your name after divorce | When granting a divorce, or on a motion filed within 18 months after the divorce is final, the court must restore a spouse's birth name or another former name if the spouse took a new name at marriage, asks for the change, and the purpose is not illegal or fraudulent. Form CC-DR-097 (Motion for Restoration of Former Name) can be used, and there is no court fee for it. After 18 months, a separate name change case is needed. |
Where to get help in Maryland
More Maryland divorce & family law
- Getting a Marriage License in Maryland
- Adopting a Child in Maryland
- Guardianship of a Child or Adult in Maryland
- Establishing Paternity in Maryland
- Child Custody Laws in Maryland
- How Child Support Is Calculated in Maryland
- Divorce Records in Maryland
- Alimony and Spousal Support in Maryland
- How to File for Divorce in Maryland
- Legal Separation and Annulment in Maryland
- All Maryland divorce & family law rules
FAQ
How do you legally change your name in Maryland?
An adult files a Petition for Change of Name of an Adult (form CC-DR-060) in the circuit court of the county where the person lives, works, carries on a regular business, or was born, attaching documents showing the current legal name. Anyone with a valid reason may file an objection within 30 days after the petition is filed. The Maryland Judiciary lists a $165 filing fee, which may be waived for those who cannot afford it. Records can be limited from public view only for a special and compelling reason.
How do you change your name back after a divorce in Maryland?
When granting a divorce, or on a motion filed within 18 months after the divorce is final, the court must restore a spouse's birth name or another former name if the spouse took a new name at marriage, asks for the change, and the purpose is not illegal or fraudulent. Form CC-DR-097 (Motion for Restoration of Former Name) can be used, and there is no court fee for it. After 18 months, a separate name change case is needed.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.