Petition for Name Change
Michigan · Michigan State Court Administrative Office · Effective May 1, 2025
This form is used to ask the court to legally change a person's name. It asks for details about the current name, the desired new name, and information about any family members involved in the name change.
The court describes it as: Court rule / statute: MCL 333.2872, MCL 711.1, MCR 3.613
Where this fits in a case
Start a caseStage: Start a case
This form is used when someone needs to start a legal process to change their name in the court system. If the person wants to keep the record private, they must use a different form and get permission first.
Usually filed by the person starting the case.
Common questions
- What form should I use to start this process?
- You must use form PC 51 or PC 51c to begin a name change case. Use PC 51c if you have a good reason to keep the name change notice private.
Revision history
No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 9, 2026. The current version took effect May 1, 2025.
Related forms
- PC 50
Publication of Notice of Hearing Regarding Petition for Name Change
This form is used to officially announce that someone has filed paperwork to change their name. It tells people that a hearing is scheduled and what the name is currently and what it is proposed to be.
Fillable PDFStart a case
Eff. Jan 1, 2026
- PC 51c
Petition for Name Change and Ex Parte Request for Nonpublication and Confidential Record
This form is used to ask the court to change a person's name and also asks the court to keep the case records private and not publish notice of the name change.
MandatoryFillable PDFStart a case
Eff. May 1, 2025
- PC 50c
Publication of Notice of Hearing Regarding Petition for Name Change (Noncustodial Parent)
This form is a notice that tells a noncustodial parent that a petition for a name change has been filed for their minor child(ren). It informs the parent about the date, time, and location of the hearing.
Fillable PDFStart a case
Eff. Jan 1, 2024
- PC 52
Order Regarding Petition for Name Change
This form is an official court order that records the judge's decision about a request to change a person's name. It details whether the name change is approved, denied, or if the case is dismissed.
Fillable PDFStart a case
Eff. Jul 1, 2026
- PC 161
Order Regarding Ex Parte Request for Nonpublication and Confidential Record
This form is an official court order that addresses a request to keep a name change case private and not published. It states whether the court is granting or denying the request for privacy and outlines next steps for the case.
Fillable PDFMotions
Eff. Jan 1, 2026
- PC 162
Request for Hearing or Dismissal Regarding Name Change Proceeding
This form is used to ask the court for either a hearing or to have a name change case thrown out. It lets the person filing state what they are asking the court to do regarding their name change case.
Fillable PDFHearing
Eff. Jul 1, 2023
- PC 163
Order After Hearing Regarding Denial of Ex Parte Request for Nonpublication and Confidential Record
This form is an order from the court that is written after a hearing about a request to keep a name change case private. It records whether the court agreed to keep the case records secret or if the case was dismissed.
Fillable PDFMotions
Eff. Jan 1, 2026
- PC 164
Request and Order Regarding Alternate Service of Notice of Name Change Hearing
This form is used to ask the court for permission to serve notice about a name change hearing in a different way than usual. It asks the court to order an alternate method of service if the person who needs to be notified cannot be found at their last known address.
MandatoryFillable PDFJudgment
Eff. Jul 1, 2023