Howard County, MD
How to Change Your Name in Howard County
File your adult name change petition with the Circuit Court for Howard County. The filing fee is $165. No newspaper publication is required.
Get the full Maryland 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
- Circuit Court for Howard County
- Filing fee
- $165
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- File the petition in the Circuit Court for the county (or Baltimore City) where you live, carry on a regular business, work, habitually engage in a vocation, or were born (Md. Rule 15-901(b)).
- Court address
- 9250 Judicial Way, Ellicott City, MD 21043
- Court phone
- Not recorded — confirm with the clerk
- Jurisdiction
- Circuit Court
- Official forms
- www.mdcourts.gov/circuit/howard/index.html ↗
- Verification
- Verified· Nov 10, 2026
Filing Requirements in Howard County
- Newspaper publication
- Not required
- Court hearing
- Not required for uncontested adult petitions
- How to file
- online (e-filing) or 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 Howard County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Circuit Court for Howard 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 online (e-filing) or in person with the Circuit Court for Howard County
- No hearing is normally required for an uncontested adult petition in this county
- 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 Maryland guide.
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the Circuit Court for Howard County clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Howard County, Maryland?
The court filing fee is $165. A fee waiver is available for petitioners who qualify by income; file the waiver request together with your petition. Certified copies may cost extra; ask the clerk for the current copy fee.
Where and how do I file a name change in Howard County?
File with the Circuit Court for Howard County. Venue rule: File the petition in the Circuit Court for the county (or Baltimore City) where you live, carry on a regular business, work, habitually engage in a vocation, or were born (Md. Rule 15-901(b)). Accepted filing methods: online (e-filing) or in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Howard County?
No — this court reports no newspaper publication requirement. Confirm this with the Circuit Court for Howard County clerk before filing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Howard County?
No hearing is normally required for an uncontested adult petition, though the court can still schedule one if it has questions.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Howard County?
Available. You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport and financial institutions, so request more than one.