Suffolk County, MA
How to Change Your Name in Suffolk County
File your adult name change petition with the Suffolk Probate and Family Court. The filing fee is $165. No newspaper publication is required.
Get the full Massachusetts 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
- Suffolk Probate and Family Court
- Filing fee
- $165
- Fee waiver
- Available for qualifying petitioners
- Where to file
- county Probate and Family Court
- Court address
- Not recorded — confirm with the clerk
- Court phone
- Not recorded — confirm with the clerk
- Jurisdiction
- Probate and Family Court – Suffolk Division; M.G.L. c.210 §12; Uniform Practice XXXV
- Verification
- Verified· Nov 10, 2026
Filing Requirements in Suffolk County
- Newspaper publication
- Not required
- Court hearing
- Not required for uncontested adult petitions
- How to file
- online (e-filing), by mail or in person
Getting Certified Copies
available ($20 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 Suffolk County
- Complete the name change petition form (available from the Suffolk Probate and Family 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 online (e-filing), by mail or in person with the Suffolk Probate and Family Court
- No hearing is normally required for an uncontested adult petition in this county
- If approved, get certified copies of the court order — available ($20 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 Massachusetts guide.
Not legal advice: Court rules, fees, and procedures vary by county and change over time. Verify current requirements with the Suffolk Probate and Family Court clerk before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a name change cost in Suffolk County, Massachusetts?
The court filing fee is $165. 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 Suffolk County?
File with the Suffolk Probate and Family Court. Venue rule: County Probate and Family Court. Accepted filing methods: online (e-filing), by mail or in person.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper in Suffolk County?
No — this court reports no newspaper publication requirement. Confirm this with the Suffolk Probate and Family Court clerk before filing.
Do I need a court hearing for a name change in Suffolk County?
No hearing is normally required for an uncontested adult petition, though the court can still schedule one if it has questions.
How do I get certified copies of my name change order in Suffolk County?
Available ($20 per copy). You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport and financial institutions, so request more than one.