Updated May 2026
How to Change Your Name in Michigan (2026 Cost + Steps)
The cost of a legal name change in Michigan is $208, which includes a $175 court filing fee, and $33 for certified copies of the court order. Fingerprinting or background checks may add $30 for petitions that require them.
Court filing fee: $175 · Processing time: ~6 weeks · Fingerprinting required
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 | $181 | ~2 weeks | No |
| After Divorce | $181 | ~2 weeks | No |
| Court Order (Adult) | $386 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Child Name Change | $436 | ~10 weeks | No |
| Gender Marker Change | $386 | ~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 Michigan
Michigan name change filing fees run $175-$250 in most Circuit Courts - filed in the county where you reside. Wayne County (Detroit) is around $175, Kent County (Grand Rapids) approximately $150. Marriage-based name changes in Michigan use the marriage certificate directly with no court petition, keeping costs low for newlyweds.
Michigan requires publication for court-order name changes - you must publish notice in a local newspaper in your county once a week for three consecutive weeks. Most Michigan county newspapers handle legal notices for $60-$120 total. If you live in a rural area, the designated county newspaper is usually the local weekly or daily that handles government legal notices.
Michigan has a specific protection for domestic violence survivors: if publishing your name change would endanger your safety, you can petition the court to seal the record and waive the publication requirement. This is worth asking about if your situation warrants it.
The Michigan Secretary of State handles driver's license name changes. Fee is $25 for a replacement Michigan driver's license. Michigan requires you to update your Social Security record BEFORE visiting the SOS office - they will verify your SSN matches the new name before issuing your updated license.
Michigan divorce decrees can and routinely do include name restoration clauses. This costs nothing to add and avoids a separate $175+ petition afterward. Ask your attorney or the court clerk to include it before the decree is finalized.
Key Michigan links: Michigan Courts one court of justice (courts.michigan.gov), Michigan Secretary of State (michigan.gov/sos), Michigan Legal Help (michiganlegalhelp.org) which has an excellent free name change packet tool with county-specific instructions. Michigan Legal Services (michiganlegalhelpnow.org) for fee waiver programs.
Michigan name change fees at a glance
| Court filing fee | $175 |
| Certified copies (3 × $11 each) | $33 |
| Newspaper publication(not required) | N/A |
| Fingerprinting / background check | $30 |
| Driver's license / State ID | $18 |
| Processing time | ~6 weeks |
| Fee waiver available | At or below 125% federal poverty level |
Common reasons in Michigan
Name Change Guides for Michigan
FAQ: Michigan name changes
- How much does it cost to change your name in Michigan?
- Court filing fees in Michigan start around $175 for a petition (counties may differ). Add certified copies (3 × about $11 each), optional publication ($0), DMV fees, and passport fees depending on your path.
- How long does a name change take in Michigan?
- Many Michigan 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 Michigan?
- Most standard adult name change petitions in Michigan do not require newspaper publication, but a judge can still impose notice requirements in some cases.
- Can I change my name for free in Michigan?
- You may qualify for a reduced or waived court filing fee in Michigan 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 Michigan?
- Commonly: a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order; government-issued photo ID; proof of Michigan residency for court filings; and Social Security verification before DMV updates.
- How do I change my name after marriage in Michigan?
- If you take your spouse’s surname as shown on your Michigan 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 Michigan, you should update your voter registration so it matches the name on your government-issued ID. Michigan 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