Kent County, MI
How to Change Your Name in Kent County
File your adult name change petition with the Kent County Probate Court. The filing fee is $187. 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
- Kent County Probate Court (processing name changes under Family Division, 17th Circuit Court jurisdiction)
- Filing fee
- $187
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- File with Kent County Probate Court (which continues to process name change petitions); applicant must have been a county resident for a minimum of 12 months immediately preceding filing
- Court address
- Kent County Probate Court, 180 Ottawa Avenue NW, Suite 2500, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
- Court phone
- Not recorded — confirm with the clerk
- Jurisdiction
- Probate Court (Kent County Probate Court continues to process name changes; underlying jurisdiction is Family Division of the 17th Circuit Court)
- Official forms
- www.kentcountymi.gov/1102/Name-Changes ↗
- Verification
- Verified· Nov 10, 2026
Filing Requirements in Kent County
- Newspaper publication
- Required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- by mail or in person
Getting Certified Copies
available ($12 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 Kent County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Kent County Probate 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 Kent County Probate 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 ($12 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 Kent County Probate Court clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Kent County, Michigan?
The court filing fee is $187. 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 Kent County?
File with the Kent County Probate Court. Venue rule: File with Kent County Probate Court (which continues to process name change petitions); applicant must have been a county resident for a minimum of 12 months immediately preceding filing. Accepted filing methods: by mail or in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Kent County?
Yes — newspaper publication is required in Kent County. Confirm the approved newspaper and notice language with the Kent County Probate Court clerk before publishing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Kent County?
A court hearing is required in this county — attend the date the court sets. Confirm the typical timing with the Kent County Probate Court clerk.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Kent County?
Available ($12 per copy). You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport and financial institutions, so request more than one.