Kalamazoo County, MI
How to Change Your Name in Kalamazoo County
File your adult name change petition with the 9th 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
- 9th Circuit Court - Family Division
- Filing fee
- $185
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- The 9th Circuit Court — Family Division (Kalamazoo County). Name-change filings go to the Family Division at the Gull Road Justice Complex (official Name Changes page; fingerprint results are sent to 9th Circuit Court, 1536 Gull Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49048).
- Court address
- 1536 Gull Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49048 (Gull Road Justice Complex — 9th Circuit Court Family Division, First Floor; Trial Division: Judge Charles A. Pratt Justice Center, 330 Eleanor St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007)
- Court phone
- Not recorded — confirm with the clerk
- Jurisdiction
- Circuit Court - Family Division
- Official forms
- www.kalcounty.com/501/Name-Changes ↗
- Verification
- Verified· Nov 10, 2026
Filing Requirements in Kalamazoo County
- Newspaper publication
- Required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- in person
Getting Certified Copies
available ($15 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 Kalamazoo County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the 9th 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 9th 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 ($15 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 9th Circuit Court clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo County?
File with the 9th Circuit Court. Venue rule: The 9th Circuit Court — Family Division (Kalamazoo County). Name-change filings go to the Family Division at the Gull Road Justice Complex (official Name Changes page; fingerprint results are sent to 9th Circuit Court, 1536 Gull Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49048). Accepted filing methods: in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Kalamazoo County?
Yes — newspaper publication is required in Kalamazoo County. Confirm the approved newspaper and notice language with the 9th Circuit Court clerk before publishing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Kalamazoo County?
A court hearing is required in this county — attend the date the court sets. Confirm the typical timing with the 9th Circuit Court clerk.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Kalamazoo County?
Available ($15 per copy). You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport and financial institutions, so request more than one.