Oakland County, MI
How to Change Your Name in Oakland County
Court Information
- Court
- 6th Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division (Oakland County)
- Filing fee
- $175
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- 1 year of residence in Oakland County (MCL 711.1)
- Jurisdiction
- Circuit Court Family Division, MCL 711.1
- Last verified
- August 17, 2026
Filing Requirements in Oakland County
- Newspaper publication
- Required
- Court hearing
- conditional (hearing set 45 days after publication completes; may be approved without a hearing)
- How to file
- by mail or in person
Getting Certified Copies
online Court Explorer / in person (photo ID required in person for confidential cases)
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 Oakland County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the 6th Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division (Oakland County) clerk or website)
- If you cannot afford the filing fee ($175), complete a fee waiver form and file it alongside your petition
- File your petition by mail or in person with the 6th Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division (Oakland County)
- Arrange the required newspaper publication — confirm the approved newspaper with the clerk before you publish
- Attend your hearing if the court schedules one
- If approved, get certified copies of the court order — online court explorer / in person (photo id required in person for confidential cases)
- Update SSA first, then DMV, then passport, then all other records
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the 6th Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division (Oakland County) clerk before filing.