Ionia County, MI
How to Change Your Name in Ionia County
File your adult name change petition with the 8th Circuit Court. The filing fee is $175. 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
- 8th Circuit Court - Family Division
- Filing fee
- $175
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- The 8th Circuit Court covers Ionia and Montcalm Counties. The County Clerk (Greg Geiger) is Clerk of the Circuit Court; cases are filed at the Ionia County Circuit Court, 100 W. Main St., Courthouse (2nd floor), Ionia, MI 48846.
- Court address
- 100 W. Main St., Courthouse, Ionia, MI 48846 (Ionia County Circuit Court, 2nd floor; County Clerk's Office at the same address)
- Court phone
- Not recorded — confirm with the clerk
- Jurisdiction
- Circuit Court - Family Division
- Official forms
- ioniacounty.org/courts/circuit-court/ ↗
- Verification
- Verified· Nov 10, 2026
Filing Requirements in Ionia 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 Ionia County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the 8th 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 in person with the 8th 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 8th Circuit Court clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Ionia County, Michigan?
The court filing fee is $175. 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 Ionia County?
File with the 8th Circuit Court. Venue rule: The 8th Circuit Court covers Ionia and Montcalm Counties. The County Clerk (Greg Geiger) is Clerk of the Circuit Court; cases are filed at the Ionia County Circuit Court, 100 W. Main St., Courthouse (2nd floor), Ionia, MI 48846. Accepted filing methods: in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Ionia County?
Yes — newspaper publication is required in Ionia County. Confirm the approved newspaper and notice language with the 8th Circuit Court clerk before publishing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Ionia County?
A court hearing is required in this county — attend the date the court sets. Confirm the typical timing with the 8th Circuit Court clerk.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Ionia County?
Available. You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport and financial institutions, so request more than one.