Changing Your Name in Minnesota
How adults change their legal name in Minnesota: the court petition, publication, fees, and restoring a name after divorce.
Short answer: A person who has lived in Minnesota for six months may apply to the district court in the county of residence, listing any spouse and children whose names are also to be changed and any Minnesota land interests, and must appear in person and prove identity with at least two witnesses. Minn. Stat. §§ 259.10, 259.11
| Legal name change | A person who has lived in Minnesota for six months may apply to the district court in the county of residence, listing any spouse and children whose names are also to be changed and any Minnesota land interests, and must appear in person and prove identity with at least two witnesses. The court checks criminal history and must grant the application unless it finds intent to defraud or mislead, or a statutory restriction (such as for certain people with felony convictions) applies. People with a criminal history must report the name change to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension within 10 days. Source: Minn. Stat. §§ 259.10, 259.11 |
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| Changing your name after divorce | In the final divorce or legal separation decree, the court must change a spouse's name to the name that spouse requests unless it finds an intent to defraud or mislead. Special rules apply to people subject to section 259.13 (certain people with criminal records). The new name is stated in the decree. Source: Minn. Stat. § 518.27 |
Where to get help in Minnesota
More Minnesota divorce & family law
- Getting a Marriage License in Minnesota
- Adopting a Child in Minnesota
- Guardianship of a Child or Adult in Minnesota
- Establishing Paternity in Minnesota
- Child Custody Laws in Minnesota
- How Child Support Is Calculated in Minnesota
- Divorce Records in Minnesota
- Alimony and Spousal Support in Minnesota
- How to File for Divorce in Minnesota
- Legal Separation and Annulment in Minnesota
- All Minnesota divorce & family law rules
FAQ
How do you legally change your name in Minnesota?
A person who has lived in Minnesota for six months may apply to the district court in the county of residence, listing any spouse and children whose names are also to be changed and any Minnesota land interests, and must appear in person and prove identity with at least two witnesses. The court checks criminal history and must grant the application unless it finds intent to defraud or mislead, or a statutory restriction (such as for certain people with felony convictions) applies. People with a criminal history must report the name change to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension within 10 days.
How do you change your name back after a divorce in Minnesota?
In the final divorce or legal separation decree, the court must change a spouse's name to the name that spouse requests unless it finds an intent to defraud or mislead. Special rules apply to people subject to section 259.13 (certain people with criminal records). The new name is stated in the decree.
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.