Ingham County, MI
How to Change Your Name in Ingham County
File your adult name change petition with the 30th Circuit Court. The filing fee is $185. 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
- 30th Circuit Court - Family Division
- Filing fee
- $185
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- The 30th Circuit Court covers Ingham County alone (MCL 600.531). 'The 30th Circuit Court Clerk's Office receives and dockets all records filed in cases before the Ingham County Circuit Court' (official Clerk of the Circuit Court page). Name changes are filed with the Circuit Court Clerk.
- Court address
- Mason Courthouse, 341 S. Jefferson St., Mason, MI 48854 (Main Office; mailing: Ingham County Clerk, P.O. Box 179, Mason, MI 48854); Branch Office: Veterans Memorial Courthouse, 313 W. Kalamazoo St., 1st Floor, Lansing, MI 48933
- Court phone
- Not recorded — confirm with the clerk
- Jurisdiction
- Circuit Court - Family Division
- Official forms
- docs.ingham.org/Department/County%20Clerk/09-23-21%20Instructions%20for%20Name%20Changes.pdf ↗
- Verification
- Verified· Nov 10, 2026
Filing Requirements in Ingham County
- Newspaper publication
- Required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- by mail, in person or by drop box
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 Ingham County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the 30th Circuit Court 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 by mail, in person or by drop box with the 30th Circuit Court
- 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 30th Circuit Court clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Ingham County, Michigan?
The court filing fee is $185. 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 Ingham County?
File with the 30th Circuit Court. Venue rule: The 30th Circuit Court covers Ingham County alone (MCL 600.531). 'The 30th Circuit Court Clerk's Office receives and dockets all records filed in cases before the Ingham County Circuit Court' (official Clerk of the Circuit Court page). Name changes are filed with the Circuit Court Clerk. Accepted filing methods: by mail, in person or by drop box.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Ingham County?
Yes — newspaper publication is required in Ingham County. Confirm the approved newspaper and notice language with the 30th Circuit Court clerk before publishing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Ingham County?
A court hearing is required in this county — attend the date the court sets. Confirm the typical timing with the 30th Circuit Court clerk.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Ingham County?
Available. You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport and financial institutions, so request more than one.