Allegan County, MI
How to Change Your Name in Allegan County
File your adult name change petition with the 48th Judicial Circuit Court, Allegan County. Our directory does not record the filing fee — confirm it with the clerk. Newspaper publication is required.
Get the full Michigan checklist
The court step is one of many — the free state guide maps SSA, DMV, passport and the records that come after.
Court Information
- Court
- 48th Judicial Circuit Court, Allegan County (Family Division)
- Filing fee
- Not recorded — confirm with the clerk
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- Adults 18+ who have lived in the county for at least one continuous year petition the Circuit Court, Family Division (MCL 711.1(1); statewide rule per cleaned/states/mi.json). Saugatuck/Douglas residents file with the 48th Circuit Court Records Division in Allegan.
- Court address
- 113 Chestnut St., Allegan, MI 49010 (Circuit Court Records Division, County Clerk's Office)
- Court phone
- (269) 673-0300
- Jurisdiction
- Circuit Court (Family Division)
- Verification
- Verification in progress
Filing Requirements in Allegan County
- Newspaper publication
- Required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- in person
Getting Certified Copies
available
You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport, and your banks — order more than one.
Step-by-Step Process
- Gather documents: certified birth certificate, photo ID, and proof of residency in Allegan County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the 48th Judicial Circuit Court, Allegan County clerk or its website)
- If you cannot afford the filing fee, complete a fee waiver form and file it alongside your petition
- File your petition in person with the 48th Judicial Circuit Court, Allegan County
- Arrange the required newspaper publication — confirm the approved newspaper with the clerk before you publish
- Attend the hearing the court schedules
- If approved, get certified copies of the court order — available.
- Update SSA first, then DMV, then passport, then all other records
Check what you are missing before you file
The free readiness score checks documents, forms, fees and privacy across four dimensions — and links the gaps to the same Michigan guide.
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the 48th Judicial Circuit Court, Allegan County clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Allegan County, Michigan?
Our directory does not record a filing fee for the 48th Judicial Circuit Court, Allegan County. Confirm the current amount with the 48th Judicial Circuit Court, Allegan County clerk before filing. A fee waiver is available for petitioners who qualify by income; file the waiver request together with your petition.
Where and how do I file a name change in Allegan County?
File with the 48th Judicial Circuit Court, Allegan County. Venue rule: Adults 18+ who have lived in the county for at least one continuous year petition the Circuit Court, Family Division (MCL 711.1(1); statewide rule per cleaned/states/mi.json). Saugatuck/Douglas residents file with the 48th Circuit Court Records Division in Allegan. Accepted filing methods: in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Allegan County?
Yes — newspaper publication is required in Allegan County. Confirm the approved newspaper and notice language with the 48th Judicial Circuit Court, Allegan County clerk before publishing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Allegan County?
A court hearing is required in this county — attend the date the court sets. Confirm the typical timing with the 48th Judicial Circuit Court, Allegan County clerk.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Allegan County?
Available. You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport and financial institutions, so request more than one.