Essex County, MA
How to Change Your Name in Essex County
Court Information
- Court
- Massachusetts Probate and Family Court, Essex Division
- Filing fee
- $165
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- County Probate and Family Court (name changes arising from marriage/divorce/naturalization require no filing)
- Jurisdiction
- Probate and Family Court; G.L. c. 210, §12
- Official forms
- www.mass.gov/info-details/probate-and-family-court-petition-to-change-name-of-adult-cjp-27 ↗
- Last verified
- August 17, 2026
Filing Requirements in Essex County
- Newspaper publication
- Not required
- Court hearing
- Not required for uncontested adult petitions
- How to file
- online (e-filing), by mail or in person
Getting Certified Copies
PFC 18 Request for Copies form by mail or in person
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 Essex County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court, Essex Division clerk or website)
- If you cannot afford the filing fee ($165), complete a fee waiver form and file it alongside your petition
- File your petition online (e-filing), by mail or in person with the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court, Essex Division
- No hearing is normally required for an uncontested adult petition in this county
- If approved, get certified copies of the court order — pfc 18 request for copies form by mail or in person
- Update SSA first, then DMV, then passport, then all other records
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court, Essex Division clerk before filing.