Updated May 2026
How to Change Your Name in Massachusetts (2026 Cost + Steps)
The cost of a legal name change in Massachusetts is $210, which includes a $150 court filing fee, and $60 for certified copies of the court order.
Court filing fee: $150 · Processing time: ~6 weeks
Estimated costs by reason
Totals include Social Security (free), driver’s license, and adult passport selections—matching the calculator defaults.
| Reason | Estimated total cost | Timeline | Publication required |
|---|---|---|---|
| After Marriage | $215 | ~2 weeks | No |
| After Divorce | $215 | ~2 weeks | No |
| Court Order (Adult) | $365 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Child Name Change | $415 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Gender Marker Change | $365 | ~10 weeks | Sealed |
Which state are you in?
Why are you changing your name?
Which documents do you need to update?
How to Change Your Name in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Probate and Family Court filing fees for name changes run $150-$200 depending on the county. Massachusetts routes name change petitions through the Probate and Family Court rather than Superior Court, which is different from most states. After-marriage name changes in Massachusetts use your marriage certificate directly without any court involvement.
Massachusetts does not require newspaper publication for standard adult name changes, which simplifies the process. You file your petition at the Probate and Family Court in the county where you live. Massachusetts has 14 counties, each with its own Probate and Family Court location. The Massachusetts Court System website has downloadable name change petition forms and instructions specific to this court.
Massachusetts has strong protections for domestic violence survivors seeking name changes. If safety is a concern, you can request that the court seal your name change records and waive any publication that might otherwise be required. Massachusetts courts take these requests seriously and grant them routinely when circumstances warrant.
The Massachusetts RMV (Registry of Motor Vehicles) charges $25 for a corrected Massachusetts driver's license with a name change. You can visit any Massachusetts RMV service center or use the online portal for some transactions. Massachusetts requires proof of Social Security update before issuing an updated license in most cases.
Massachusetts divorce decrees routinely include name restoration clauses through the Probate and Family Court's standard forms. The JA-1 divorce form includes a section for name restoration - ensure it's completed before your decree is entered.
Key Massachusetts links: Massachusetts Courts (mass.gov/orgs/probate-and-family-court), Massachusetts RMV (mass.gov/rmv), Massachusetts Legal Help (masslegalhelp.org) and Greater Boston Legal Services (gbls.org) for fee waiver assistance.
Massachusetts name change fees at a glance
| Court filing fee | $150 |
| Certified copies (3 × $20 each) | $60 |
| Newspaper publication(not required) | N/A |
| Fingerprinting / background check(not required) | N/A |
| Driver's license / State ID | $25 |
| Processing time | ~6 weeks |
| Fee waiver available | At or below 125% federal poverty level |
Common reasons in Massachusetts
Name Change Guides for Massachusetts
FAQ: Massachusetts name changes
- How much does it cost to change your name in Massachusetts?
- Court filing fees in Massachusetts start around $150 for a petition (counties may differ). Add certified copies (3 × about $20 each), optional publication ($0), DMV fees, and passport fees depending on your path.
- How long does a name change take in Massachusetts?
- Many Massachusetts court petitions finish in about 6 weeks, but crowded dockets, publication, or fingerprinting can add time. After-marriage updates using a certificate are often faster because they skip the petition.
- Do I need to publish my name change in a newspaper in Massachusetts?
- Most standard adult name change petitions in Massachusetts do not require newspaper publication, but a judge can still impose notice requirements in some cases.
- Can I change my name for free in Massachusetts?
- You may qualify for a reduced or waived court filing fee in Massachusetts if you meet the court’s income guidelines (At or below 125% federal poverty level). Certified copies, DMV fees, and passports still usually cost money.
- What documents do I need to change my name in Massachusetts?
- Commonly: a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; government-issued photo ID; proof of Massachusetts residency for court filings; and Social Security verification before DMV updates.
- How do I change my name after marriage in Massachusetts?
- If you take your spouse’s surname as shown on your Massachusetts marriage certificate, you typically update Social Security first, then your driver’s license, then banks and payroll. Hyphenated or new invented names may still require a court petition—check local court rules.
Voter Registration After Your Name Change
After legally changing your name in Massachusetts, you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. Massachusetts offers online voter registration paths for many voters, though some counties still require mail or an in-person visit for certain updates. If your registration still shows an old name close to an election, you may face additional checks at the polling place. See the full 50-state voter registration guide for deadlines, typical documents, and official Vote.gov links.
Related: SAVE Act & name change overview