Maryland Name Change: A Complete How-To Guide

Undergoing a legal name change in Maryland is straightforward if you know the right steps. Today, you'll learn the many ways to legally change your name without an attorney. Whether changing through marriage, divorce, or court petition.

Marriage name change

Maryland law allows you to change your name after marriage using just your marriage certificate. This works for men, women, and same-sex couples.

You may only use a certified copy—not a photocopy—of your marriage certificate to change your name on your social security card, MVA driver's license, and passport.

There is no special Maryland-specific rule for name change. Your options are plain and suits common use-cases. Sought-after name changes include:

1. Hyphenate both last names
2. Take your spouse's entire last name
3. Take a portion of your spouse's last name
4. Create a brand new last name
5. Replace your middle name
6. Alter your first name

1. Hyphenate both last names

Hyphenating your last names allows both identities to remain largely intact. You can decide which surname comes first or last—and they don’t have to match your spouse’s order.

2. Take your spouse's entire last name

Taking your spouse's full last name is the traditional and most common approach, but it means letting go of your current name—often a significant emotional shift.

3. Take a portion of your spouse's last name

Taking only part of your spouse's last name isn't allowed through marriage. For example, if they're Hayden Murry-McMichael, you can't become Mrs. Murry, McMichael, or Hael.

4. Create a brand new last name

You can't create a brand new last name through marriage in Maryland. To do that, you'll need to petition the circuit court, not just file a marriage application.

For example, if your last name is Johnson and your spouse's is Miller, you can't create names like Millerson (segmented) or Smith (fabricated) without a court order.

5. Replace your middle name

Maryland is one of 47 states that allow you to replace your middle name with your maiden name (or last name at birth).

SSA field offices and DMV/MVA locations will only allow a full middle name replacement, meaning you cannot add a second middle name or drop your middle name.

6. Alter your first name

In Maryland, you can't change your first name through marriage, divorce, or common law usage. Instead, you must petition the circuit court in your local jurisdiction.

It's worth noting that only four states permit first name changes through marriage, while the remaining 46 states require a formal court petition.

Marriage license requirements

You must get a marriage license and certificate to complete a name change after marriage in Maryland. Let's walk through the entire name change process…

First, apply for a Maryland marriage license at the clerk of the circuit court office in the county where your wedding will take place. (Residency in the county isn't required.)

Either apply together or have your partner apply on your behalf. If neither lives in the county where applying, the circuit court will accept your downloadable application by mail.

Specify your "delivery instructions" on mailed, non-resident applications:

• Pick up your license in person.
• Receive your license by postal mail.

All application variations will ask you to share your:

• Current name
• Age
• Address
• Place of birth
• Prior marital history
• Social security number (if you have one)

Three marriage-related fees apply, varying by county:

• Marriage license: $25 to $85
• Courthouse civil ceremony: $25 to $35
• Certified copy of marriage certificate: $5.50 each

Maryland's 23 circuit courts are open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding federal holidays. Some offices offer extended hours until 4:30 p.m.

Proof of identity

Submit the following identification and evidence (originals or certified copies only):

1. Photo ID:
   • Current driver's license or REAL ID
   • State-issued ID card
   • Passport
   • Green card
   • Military ID card
   • Other government-issued photo ID
2. Proof of prior marital status:
   • Divorce decree (if divorced)
   • Spouse's death certificate (if widowed)
3. Minor's birth certificate (if younger than 18 years old)

Note: You don't have to show your social security card or proof of U.S. citizenship.

Age requirements

A minor child, aged 15 to 17, is eligible to marry under two conditions:

1. They are pregnant or have given birth.
2. Their parent or legal guardian grants consent.

There are two caveats, though:

1. 15-year-olds must meet both conditions.
2. 16- and 17-year-olds must meet at least one condition.

Fourteen-year-olds and younger cannot marry, even with parental consent.

Waiting period and expiration date

You must endure a tricky two-day waiting period. Your marriage license effective date follows two days later at 6 a.m. For instance, apply on Friday to marry by 6 a.m. Sunday.

Your license will expire after six months following the two-day waiting period. For example, if you apply on January 1, it'll become invalid on July 3 at midnight.

Upon request, a circuit court judge may waive the two-day waiting period for Maryland residents and U.S. Armed Forces members, provided there are reasonable grounds.

Receiving your license

There are two scenarios where you won't get your marriage license the same day you apply:

1. You applied by mail.
2. Your court doesn't offer same-day issuance.

You have three ways to get your physical license in hand:

1. Get it by mail.
2. Return for pick up.
3. Authorize a third-party pick up.

When applying by mail, either choose a mailing address to receive your marriage license, pick it up yourself, or give signed authorization for someone else to get it, like so:

I (Jane Doe) authorize my friend (David Garcia) to pick up my marriage license. Signed Jane Doe.

Example statement allowing third-party retrieval.

Your marriage ceremony

Whoever solemnizes your wedding—judge, clerk of court, or religious official—must return your marriage license to the circuit court within five days after your ceremony.

Your officiant must hand you a copy of the attached marital certificate for your records. You cannot use this document for name change: for that, you need a certified copy.

Order certified copies of your certificate from the circuit court clerk after they record your returned license. Use that document for name change.

Divorce name change

Change your name after divorce using a certified copy of your finalized divorce decree (or Maryland Judgment of Absolute Divorce).

You have the option of returning to any former legal name, including your maiden name, birth name, adopted name, or a prior married name.

Name change is your choice alone. Your ex cannot force you to switch. You are under no legal obligation to revert, no matter what your divorce decree says.

Timing your name change request

If you've filed for divorce, you have up to 30 days before your hearing to request a change of name. The court will approve, provided it isn't for fraudulent reasons.

The court will honor name change requests up to 18 months after the initial judgment of absolute divorce. The court will issue an amended record of dissolution.

Obtaining proof of divorce

Order a certified copy of your Maryland divorce decree by mail or online through Maryland's Division of Vital Records.

Current fees are:

• $12.00 for mail orders
• $25.00 for online orders via regular shipping
• $45.00 for online orders via expedited shipping

Current turnaround times are:

• 6 weeks for mail orders
• 5 weeks for online orders via regular shipping
• 3 weeks for online orders via expedited shipping

For mail orders, acceptable forms of payment include checks or money orders made payable to the Division of Vital Records.

For online orders, major debit or credit cards accepted include Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.

Court name change

File a Petition for Change of Name at the Maryland circuit court in your county of residence. This option is for those who can't change their name through marriage or divorce.

Court-petitioned name changes aren't limited to last names; you can also change your first and middle names. The possibilities are endless.

Court clerks and staff are reluctant to provide legal advice. Consult an attorney if your name change veers into complex terrain.

Child name changes

If your child is under one year old, the Maryland Department of Health will process their name change once for free with both parents' consent, and without a court petition. Subsequent changes will require a paid filing.

Children under 18 need a parent or guardian to file their petition. Solo petitioners must make a good-faith effort to notify the other parent or guardian; otherwise, the court will handle it.

Filing fee and waivers

The petition filing fee is $165, payable in advance. If you can't afford it, you can request a prepayment waiver, which defers court fees until your case concludes.

You have the option to request a final waiver from the judge to dismiss the deferred filing fee when your case ends. Eligibility is determined by your income level.

Legal name change forms

There are separate petition forms for:

• Adults (Form CC-DR-60)
• Minors below age 18 (Form CC-DR-062)
• Consent form for other parent (Form CC-DR-063)

You must file your change of name petition in person at the courthouse, not online.

Local newspaper publication

You must publish a notice of your name change in a newspaper of general circulation (see a list of Maryland newspapers), within your county of residence, once for 15 days.

Publication arrangements vary by county. Some circuit courts will handle the publication step for you, while in other cases, the responsibility for publication falls on you.

If you prefer not to have your name published in a newspaper, ask the courthouse if a lower-visibility bulletin board publication is available.

After your notice is published, the newspaper will either file a Certificate of Publication (Form CC-DR-075) with the court or mail it to you for filing.

The publication fee ranges from $10 to $30, regardless of which newspaper you choose, and is separate from the court's petition fee for a name change.

You're entitled to ask the court to waive the publication step for good cause, such as Maryland's Safe at Home Address Confidentiality Program (ACP).

The objection period

The publication notice informs the public of your name change intentions. Anyone can object by filing a petition against your case, provided they have a valid reason.

Objectors must file their complaint with the court in writing. You'll be notified and given 15 days to respond. You can either reply in writing or plead your case in person through a Request for Hearing or Proceeding (Form CC-DR-509).

If no one objects to your name change during publication, the judge will sign your Decree for Change of Name. In some cases, a judge will grant your petition without a hearing.

Request your circuit court order

Request a certified copy of your approved court order from the clerk of court. It costs $5 and will have the custodian's signature and a raised seal.

Updating your identification

When you have physical proof of name change, the time has come to update your federal, state, and nongovernmental ID.

Social security card

You must correct your social security card before other documents. Your local Social Security Administration field office handles this.

Here’s an interesting factoid: The "central office" in Baltimore, Maryland (and another in DC) handles all social security applications in the USA. Quite the central hub, isn’t it?

Driver's license

Wait to change the name on your driver's license or REAL ID until 24 hours after notifying the Social Security Administration. But wait no longer than 30 days to alert the MVA.

Passport

You have the flexibility to change the name on your passport at either the beginning or end of your new name journey. It doesn't depend on your SSA card or driver's license going first.

Birth certificate

Maryland Code, Health-General, § 4-214 governs the procedures to update a birth certificate for anyone born in Maryland.

The Division of Vital Records will amend your birth certificate by affidavit. Changes for minors under 12 months of age are free, while those aged 12 months or older incur a $10 fee.

Use this amendment process to:

• Change your or your child's name or gender marker.
• Change or add paternity information.
• Correct missing or erroneous information.

Send in your old birth certificate to get a free certified copy replacement. Otherwise, fresh copies are $10 each.

Vital Statistics will publish birth certificate data changes to the public record.

Conclusion

In summary, changing your name in Maryland is easier and more cost-effective for marriage and divorce compared to petitioning the court. Either way, you now have the knowledge to move forward.

Plus, here goes an added step: begin now. Our online name change kit is designed to guide you on your name change journey, tailored to your schedule.