Muskegon County, MI
How to Change Your Name in Muskegon County
File your adult name change petition with the 14th Circuit Court, Muskegon County. 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
- 14th Circuit Court, Muskegon County (Family Division)
- Filing fee
- $187
- 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
- 990 Terrace Street, 6th Floor, Suite 600, Muskegon, MI 49442 (Circuit Court Records, Michael E. Kobza Hall of Justice)
- Court phone
- Not recorded — confirm with the clerk
- Jurisdiction
- Circuit Court (Family Division)
- Official forms
- co.muskegon.mi.us/1627/Frequently-Asked-Questions ↗
- Verification
- Verified· Nov 10, 2026
Filing Requirements in Muskegon County
- Newspaper publication
- Required
- Court hearing
- Required
- How to file
- in person
Getting Certified Copies
Confirm with the clerk — not recorded in our data
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 Muskegon County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the 14th Circuit Court, Muskegon 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 14th Circuit Court, Muskegon 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 — ask the clerk how to request them.
- 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 14th Circuit Court, Muskegon County clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Muskegon 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 Muskegon County?
File with the 14th Circuit Court, Muskegon 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 Muskegon County?
Yes — newspaper publication is required in Muskegon County. Confirm the approved newspaper and notice language with the 14th Circuit Court, Muskegon County clerk before publishing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Muskegon County?
A court hearing is required in this county — attend the date the court sets. Confirm the typical timing with the 14th Circuit Court, Muskegon County clerk.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Muskegon County?
Our directory does not record the certified-copy procedure for the 14th Circuit Court, Muskegon County. Ask the 14th Circuit Court, Muskegon County clerk how many copies are included and how to request extras.