Mecosta County, MI
How to Change Your Name in Mecosta County
File your adult name change petition with the 49th Circuit Court, Mecosta County. 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
- 49th Circuit Court, Mecosta County (Family Division)
- Filing fee
- $175
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- Adults 18+ who have lived in the county for at least one continuous year petition the Circuit Court, Family Division (MCL 711.1(1); statewide rule per cleaned/states/mi.json).
- Court address
- 400 Elm St., Big Rapids, MI 49307 (County Clerk's Office)
- Court phone
- Not recorded — confirm with the clerk
- Jurisdiction
- Circuit Court (Family Division)
- Official forms
- www.mecostacounty.org/government/clerk.php ↗
- Verification
- Verified· Nov 10, 2026
Filing Requirements in Mecosta 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 Mecosta County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the 49th Circuit Court, Mecosta County 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 49th Circuit Court, Mecosta County
- 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 49th Circuit Court, Mecosta County clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Mecosta 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 Mecosta County?
File with the 49th Circuit Court, Mecosta County. Venue rule: Adults 18+ who have lived in the county for at least one continuous year petition the Circuit Court, Family Division (MCL 711.1(1); statewide rule per cleaned/states/mi.json). Accepted filing methods: in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Mecosta County?
Yes — newspaper publication is required in Mecosta County. Confirm the approved newspaper and notice language with the 49th Circuit Court, Mecosta County clerk before publishing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Mecosta County?
A court hearing is required in this county — attend the date the court sets. Confirm the typical timing with the 49th Circuit Court, Mecosta County clerk.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Mecosta County?
Available. You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport and financial institutions, so request more than one.