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Legal name change in Massachusetts

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  • Page changed: Change information on your driver's license or ID card (2026-10-05) · #141
Change your legal name
Yes
Publication requirementA rule in some states that a name-change petition be printed in a newspaper before it is granted. Many states waive it for trans petitioners or for safety.
Sometimes
Court hearing
Sometimes
Sealed recordA court file that is kept confidential and not available to the public.
Possible

Massachusetts adults can change their name by filing a petition at the Probate and Family Court in their county. Since November 25, 2025 there is no newspaper publication unless a judge finds good cause, the whole file is sealed (impounded) automatically, and most petitions are decided on the papers without a hearing. The filing fee is $165, and you can ask to have it waived.

Main cost
$165, can be waived
Apply
Online, by mail, or in person

Draft from official sources, September 24, 2026. Not yet checked by a person. How we verify

On this page
  1. How it works
  2. Steps
  3. Costs and fee waivers
  4. Free help
  5. Forms
  6. Requirements
  7. Minors
  8. After you finish
  9. Tips
  10. Laws and other guides
  11. Sources

How it works

Under G.L. c. 210, § 12, a name change "shall be granted unless such change is inconsistent with public interests." You file a short, notarized petition (form CJP 27) with a certified copy of your birth certificate and a background-check release (form CJP 34) at the Probate and Family Court in the county where you live. You do not have to give a reason related to gender, and you never need a doctor's letter.

A 2025 law (St. 2025, c. 73, § 53, effective November 25, 2025) made the process much more private: the court no longer orders newspaper publication by default, and every petition filed since that date is impounded, meaning the public cannot see it. The court reviews your papers and, in most cases, mails you a certified decree without a hearing.

Namesake (namesake.fyi) is a free, open-source tool built with the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition that fills out the Massachusetts court forms for you.

Steps

  1. Get a certified copy of your birth certificate[3][5]

    The court needs a certified copy of your birth certificate (and of any earlier legal name change). If you were born in Massachusetts, order it from the Registry of Vital Records or your city or town clerk. If it is not in English, attach a professional translation with the translator's notarized statement. You can check a box on CJP 27 to get your certified documents back after review.

  2. Fill out CJP 27 and CJP 34 (or let Namesake do it)[5][10][11]

    Download the forms from mass.gov, or use Namesake (namesake.fyi), a free tool that asks you questions and produces completed Massachusetts court forms as a PDF. Then sign CJP 27 in front of a notary. Banks, public libraries, and many LGBTQ organizations offer free notarization; MTPC's Identity Document Assistance network also offers notary help.

  3. Ask for a fee waiver if you cannot pay[6][11]

    Optional

    File the Affidavit of Indigency with your petition. If you receive MassHealth, SSI, TAFDC, EAEDC, or Massachusetts veterans' benefits, or your income is at or below the court's poverty level (125% of the federal poverty level), you qualify. MTPC's Identity Document Assistance network can also help pay costs.

  4. File at the Probate and Family Court in your county[4][7]

    Bring or mail the notarized CJP 27, CJP 34, your certified birth certificate, any earlier name-change documents, and the fee (bank check, money order, or credit card in person; bank check or money order by mail) to the Probate and Family Court for the county where you live. No appointment is needed. You can also e-file for an extra $22 flat eFiling fee.

    Cost
    $165 filing fee ($150) plus surcharge ($15); $22 eFiling fee (optional; only if you file online)

  5. Wait for the court's review (usually no hearing)[3][4][10][13]

    After the background check, the court either signs a decree without a hearing or, only for good cause, issues an Order of Notice (CJP 130) and a Citation (CJP 28). Good cause examples in the court's rules are being incarcerated, on probation or parole, or in DYS custody. If you get a citation, follow it exactly: it may require notice by certified mail to agencies or, rarely, newspaper publication at least 7 days before the return date, and there is a $15 citation fee.

    Cost
    $15 citation fee, only if the court issues an Order of Notice
    Time
    about 2 weeks to 3 months

  6. Receive your certified decree by mail[4][3]

    If the petition is allowed, the court mails you a Certified Decree of Change of Name. That is your legal proof. Ask the Register of Probate how to get extra certified copies; Social Security, the RMV, the passport agency, and banks each want to see one.

  7. Update your other documents, in this order[12][8]

    1. Social Security first (free). The name changes; the sex field currently cannot.
    2. RMV license or Mass ID (in person, $25; see the driver's license guide). You can change your gender marker at the same visit.
    3. Birth certificate if you were born in Massachusetts (see the birth certificate guide).
    4. Passport, MassHealth, bank, employer, insurance, school records.

Costs and fee waivers

Can’t afford it? You may not have to pay.[6][11]

Under G.L. c. 261, §§ 27A-27G, you are "indigent" if any one is true (the Affidavit of Indigency lists these):

  • You receive TAFDC, EAEDC, Massachusetts veterans' benefits, MassHealth (Medicaid), or SSI.
  • Your income after taxes is at or below the court system's poverty level (posted in the courthouse and online; 125% of the federal poverty level).
  • You cannot pay the fees without depriving yourself or your dependents of the necessities of life (food, shelter, clothing); you then also fill out the Supplement.

File the Affidavit of Indigency with your petition and check the filing fee and surcharge in Section 2 (and the citation fee if one is ordered later). MTPC's IDA network also offers financial assistance for costs that are not waived.

Affidavit of Indigency

WhatCostNotes
Filing fee ($150) plus surcharge ($15)[4][10]$165Can be waived
Citation fee, only if the court issues an Order of Notice[4]$15Can be waivedIf publication is ordered, the newspaper also charges for the notice; the price varies by paper.
eFiling fee (optional; only if you file online)[4][7]$22Flat fee charged by the eFiling system, plus a card processing fee. Filing in person or by mail avoids it.

Free help

Legal clinics, organizations, and funds that help with this.

More detail

Forms5 forms: CJP 27, CJP 34, Affidavit of Indigency, CJP 25, and more

Open a form for tips on filling it out.

Forms everyone files (2)

CJP 27Petition to Change Name of AdultRequired

How to fill it out

  • Item 1: your current address. You must live in the county where you file.
  • Item 3: list any earlier legal name change and attach a certified copy of it (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).
  • Item 6 (reason): a short, truthful sentence is enough, for example "to reflect my gender identity" or "this is the name I use." You do not need to explain further or attach medical records.
  • Item 7: authorizes the background check; attach CJP 34.
  • Item 9 (optional): you can list the pronouns you want court staff to use.
  • Do not sign until you are in front of a notary. If your photo ID shows a different name than your legal name and a notary will not accept it, the court's how-to page says you can file a motion (CJD 400) asking the court to waive notarization.
  • There is no box to request publication waiver or sealing any more: since November 25, 2025 the file is impounded automatically.

Open CJP 27[5][4][2]

CJP 34Court Activity Record Information (CARI) and Warrant Management System (WMS) Release RequestRequired

Open CJP 34[3]

Forms only some people need (3)

Affidavit of IndigencyAffidavit of Indigency and Request for Waiver, Substitution or State Payment of Fees and CostsOptional

Only if you cannot afford the $165 filing fee. File it with your petition.

Open Affidavit of Indigency[6][4]

CJP 25Petition to Change Name of MinorSometimes required: Only for a person under 18. The child is listed as the petitioner and a parent or…

Only for a person under 18. The child is listed as the petitioner and a parent or guardian presents the petition.

Open CJP 25[3][13]

TC0050Child Care or Custody Disclosure AffidavitSometimes required: Required with every minor's petition (CJP 25).

Open TC0050[3][13]

RequirementsWhere you live, age, criminal record, newspaper notice, hearing, background check, privacy and sealing, timeline
Where you live
File at the Probate and Family Court in the county where you currently live (G.L. c. 210, § 12).[1][3]
Age
18 or older for CJP 27. For anyone under 18, a parent or guardian files CJP 25 (see Minors).
Criminal record
The court runs a court-record (CARI) and warrant (WMS) check on everyone 12 and older. Being incarcerated, on probation or parole, or on the sex offender registry does not bar a name change, but it is listed as "good cause" for the court to order notice to agencies such as the Department of Correction or the Parole Board.
Newspaper publication
Sometimes.

Since November 25, 2025, G.L. c. 210, § 13(a) says the court "may, for good cause shown, require public notice." Publication is no longer the default. The court's rules list examples of good cause for adults (incarceration, probation, parole, DYS custody, commitment as a sexually dangerous person), and notice in those cases is often by certified mail to agencies rather than by newspaper. Before that date, publication was required unless waived by motion (CJD 400).

Nothing to request for most people. If a citation orders publication and publishing would put you at risk, you can file a Motion (CJD 400) asking the judge to waive it.

[2][3][4]
Court hearing
Sometimes.

The court may "determine that no citation is needed and issue a decree on the petition without a hearing." If notice is ordered and no one objects before the return date, the court may still act without a hearing.

[3]
Background check
Yes.

The court must request a report from the Commissioner of Probation before any name change (G.L. c. 210, § 13(a)). In practice this is a CARI and WMS check that you authorize with form CJP 34. It is a court-record check, not fingerprinting.

[2][3]
Privacy and sealed records
Available.

For petitions filed on or after November 25, 2025, the petition, all papers, and docket entries "shall not be available for inspection unless the court, for good cause shown, otherwise orders or unless requested by the petitioner" (G.L. c. 210, § 13(b)). The case caption and docket number are not impounded.

Automatic; nothing to file. If your case was filed before November 25, 2025, ask GLAD Law Answers or the court's Court Service Center whether you can ask to impound the older file.

[2][3]
How long it takes

Often 2 to 6 weeks from filing to a mailed decree when no notice is ordered; longer if the court issues a citation.

MinorsThe child is the petitioner on CJP 25, and a parent or guardian presents the petition.

The child is the petitioner on CJP 25, and a parent or guardian presents the petition. Include the child's certified birth certificate, the Child Care or Custody Disclosure Affidavit (TC0050), and an Assent (CJP 30) from each parent who agrees. A child 12 or older must also sign a notarized assent and a CJP 34 background-check release. If any legal parent or guardian has not filed a written assent, that is automatic "good cause" for the court to order notice to them, and they can object. The fee is the same, and siblings with the same parents pay one fee. Minors' petitions are impounded like adults'.

[3]
After you finishStart with Social Security (bring the certified decree and photo ID).

Start with Social Security (bring the certified decree and photo ID). Then the RMV (in person, $25; change the gender marker at the same visit if you want). If you were born in Massachusetts, you can add the new name to your birth certificate when you change the sex designation, or within 3 years after. Then your passport (name changes are processed; sex marker changes currently are not), MassHealth or other insurance, bank, employer, voter registration, and school records.

Tips3 tips from people who have done this
  • Namesake (namesake.fyi) fills out the Massachusetts petition, fee waiver, and birth certificate affidavit for free and tracks your progress.
  • If you have not heard back in a few weeks, contact the court's Court Service Center by phone, Zoom, or in person to check your case status.
  • Guides written before November 2025 tell you to file a motion (CJD 400) to waive publication. For new petitions that is no longer needed.
Laws and other guides3 laws, 4 other guides

Laws and rules

Other trusted guides

Sources

14 sources. Numbers in the text, like [1], point here.Show all
  1. G.L. c. 210, § 12, Petitions for change of nameMassachusetts Legislature, Law. accessed
    “The change of name of a person shall be granted unless such change is inconsistent with public interests.”
  2. G.L. c. 210, § 13 (text effective November 25, 2025)Massachusetts Legislature, Law. accessed
    “The court may, for good cause shown, require public notice of the petition to be given and any person to be heard thereon.”
  3. Uniform Probate and Family Court Practice XXXV, Change of name actions (amended effective January 6, 2026)Massachusetts Probate and Family Court, Court. accessed
    “The amendments, inter alia, eliminated the default requirement for notice by publication and required that all petitions filed on or after November 25, 2025 be impounded.”
  4. How do I file a change of name for an adult?Massachusetts Probate and Family Court, Official page. accessed
    “$150 Filing Fee + $15 Surcharge Fee = $165 Total Filing Fee. If an Order of Notice is issued by the court, there is an additional + $15 Citation Fee.”
  5. CJP 27, Petition to Change Name of Adult (12/11/25)Massachusetts Probate and Family Court, Form. accessed
  6. Affidavit of IndigencyMassachusetts Trial Court, Form. accessed
    “I receive public assistance under TAFDC, EAEDC, Massachusetts Veterans Benefits Programs, Medicaid (MassHealth), Supplemental Security Income (SSI).”
  7. Probate and Family Court eFiling, Change of NameMassachusetts Probate and Family Court, Official page. accessed
  8. Change information on your driver's license or ID cardMassachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, Official page. accessed
  9. NamesakeOrganization. accessed
    “Fully supported, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.”
  10. Massachusetts Court Order guideNamesake, Organization. accessed
    “In most cases, you will not need to appear before a judge. Typically, decisions take 2-6 weeks to arrive by mail.”
  11. Identity Document Assistance (IDA) NetworkMassachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, Organization. accessed
  12. Quick Reference Guide to Legal Name and Gender Marker Changes for Adults in Massachusetts (February 10, 2025)Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, Organization. accessed
  13. ID Documents, MassachusettsGLAD Law, Organization. accessed
  14. GLAD Law AnswersGLAD Law, Organization. accessed
    “GLAD Law Answers is a free and confidential legal information line serving LGBTQ+ people and people with HIV in New England.”