Jackson County, MI
How to Change Your Name in Jackson County
File your adult name change petition with the 4th 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
- 4th Circuit Court - Family Division
- Filing fee
- $175
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- 'Effective January 1, 2026, Name Changes will be filed with the 4th Circuit Court. For records prior to 2026, contact the Probate Office.' (official Jackson County Name Changes page, verbatim). To file a name change in Jackson County, you must be a resident of Jackson County for at least one year.
- Court address
- 312 S. Jackson Street, Jackson, MI 49201 (Jackson County Clerk's Office / 4th Circuit Court County Clerk's Office)
- Court phone
- Not recorded — confirm with the clerk
- Jurisdiction
- Circuit Court - Family Division
- Official forms
- www.co.jackson.mi.us/3191/Name-Changes ↗
- Verification
- Verified· Nov 10, 2026
Filing Requirements in Jackson County
- Newspaper publication
- Required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- by mail or in person
Getting Certified Copies
available ($10 per copy)
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 Jackson County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the 4th 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 or in person with the 4th 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 ($10 per copy).
- 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 4th Circuit Court clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Jackson 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 Jackson County?
File with the 4th Circuit Court. Venue rule: 'Effective January 1, 2026, Name Changes will be filed with the 4th Circuit Court. For records prior to 2026, contact the Probate Office.' (official Jackson County Name Changes page, verbatim). To file a name change in Jackson County, you must be a resident of Jackson County for at least one year. Accepted filing methods: by mail or in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Jackson County?
Yes — newspaper publication is required in Jackson County. Confirm the approved newspaper and notice language with the 4th Circuit Court clerk before publishing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Jackson County?
A court hearing is required in this county — attend the date the court sets. Confirm the typical timing with the 4th Circuit Court clerk.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Jackson County?
Available ($10 per copy). You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport and financial institutions, so request more than one.