Legal name change in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, you file a name change petition in the Probate and Family Court for the county where you live. Filing fee is $165. eFileMA is available. Gender marker changes on birth certificates and driver licenses support M, F, and X without medical proof.
Quick facts
Court
Probate and Family Court (19 locations across 14 counties)
Filing fee
$165 (plus $22 e-filing platform fee if using eFileMA)
Timeline
4–8 weeks typical
Residency
Must be a Massachusetts resident
Publication
Court may require; waiver available via CJD 400 motion
Fee waiver
Available via Affidavit of Indigency
Gender marker options
M / F / X
Forms you may need
CJD 400 — Motion to Waive Publication
Motion to request waiver of publication requirement.
Source: Mass.govFiling fees & fee waiver
Filing fee is $165. eFileMA adds a $22 platform fee for initial filings. A $15 Citation Fee may apply if the court issues a Citation/Order of Notice.
Fee waiver available: Yes — Affidavit of Indigency
Additional fees may apply depending on court requirements. Confirm with your Probate and Family Court.
Publication & privacy
The court may require publication. If so, you can file a CJD 400 motion to request a waiver of the publication requirement.
Publication waiver may be available.
If publication would endanger your safety or privacy, file a motion to waive publication. The court has discretion to grant waivers.
Gender marker notes
Massachusetts supports M, F, and X gender markers on both birth certificates and driver licenses/IDs. No medical proof, doctor letter, or court order is required for gender marker changes on state documents. Birth certificate changes use RVRS; driver license changes use RMV.
Available options: M, F, X
Self-attestation: Yes
Medical proof required: No
MGL c. 46, § 13(e) allows birth record gender changes without medical documentation. MGL c. 90, § 8N allows X, M, or F on driver licenses.
What happens after the court order
After receiving your court order, update your records in the following order to avoid conflicts between agencies.
- Social Security Administration (SS-5)
- Massachusetts RMV (driver license or state ID)
- U.S. Passport
- Massachusetts birth certificate (RVRS)
- Employer / payroll (HR)
- Bank and financial accounts
- Health insurance
- IRS / tax records
- Voter registration
- TSA PreCheck / Global Entry
County notes
Massachusetts has 14 counties with 19 Probate and Family Court locations. Some counties (Bristol, Essex, Middlesex, Plymouth) have multiple service locations.
What you can use for free
Free guides explain the general process. Complete helps apply the process to your situation.
Free
- State-level filing overview
- Official court and agency links
- Filing fee and publication notes
- General fee waiver information
- General post-court checklist
Complete
- Personalized filing sequence
- County prep notes where available
- Privacy path analysis
- Fee waiver checklist
- California packet builder beta
- Exportable post-court roadmap
Frequently asked questions
Do I need medical proof to change my gender marker in Massachusetts?
No. Massachusetts law allows gender marker changes on birth certificates and driver licenses without medical proof, doctor letters, or court orders for the gender marker itself.
Can I file my name change electronically in Massachusetts?
Yes. Massachusetts offers eFileMA for electronic filing of name change petitions. There is a $22 platform fee for initial filings.
Does Massachusetts support X gender markers?
Yes. Massachusetts supports M, F, and X on both driver licenses/IDs and birth certificates.
Is a background check required for name change in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts does not require fingerprinting, but applicants age 12 and older need to submit a CJP 34 CARI/WMS Release for a background check.
Official sources
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NameRight is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We provide self-help information, document preparation tools, and public court process guidance based on publicly available information. Court procedures and eligibility rules can change, and your situation may require advice from a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. Full legal disclaimer