INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHANGE OF NAME OF A MINOR Instructions for Completing DOM REL 62 Introduction: The minor must be a resident of the County in which you are filing for a name change. You may not use these forms to change a name in connection with an adoption. For more information, read Maryland Rule 15-901. NOTE: Changing the name of a child will not change an existing child support obligation. General: Child Less Than 1 Year Old: If the child is less than one-year old, you may be able to change the child’s name without a court order. Read MD. HEALTH GEN . CODE ANN. § 4-214. Child Aged 1 Year or Older: To change a child’s name you, as his/her parent or guardian, may file a Petition for Change of Name. Ordinarily the court will look at whether all parents, guardians and custodians, as well as the child, are in agreement with the name change. The request to have the name changed must also be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which you are filing the Petition. You will need to check with the Clerk of Court regarding publication of the Notice. In some jurisdictions publication arrangements are the responsibility of the party asking for publication. In other jurisdictions the Clerk of Court will arrange to have the Notice published. After the notice has been published, other persons are given the opportunity to object. If someone objects, they must file this objection and serve you a copy. You will have 15 days to respond to the objection by filing a written response with the Court. Instructions: > STEP 1 — Securing Consent of Parents, Guardians or Custodians It is usually preferable to submit the Petition with signed consents from all parents, guardians and custodians. Before preparing the Petition for Change of Name, contact each parent, guardian, or custodian. Ask that person to sign a Consent form. File this consent form with your petition. > STEP 2 — Completion of the Petition for Change of Name (Minor), Notice and Order for Change of Name A. Fill out the Petition for Change of Name, as indicated. Page 1 of 3 DRIN 62 - Revised 15 May 2003 American LegalNet, Inc. www.USCourtForms.com B. Sign the Petition. C. Fill out the top section and first paragraph of the Notice for Publication. Leave the second paragraph blank. D. Fill out the proposed Order for Change of Name, except for the date and Judge’s signature. >STEP 3 — Attachment of Consent Forms and Birth Certificate Attach to the documents to be filed with the court, each signed consent, and a copy of the child’s birth certificate or other document reflecting the child’s current name (the one you want it changed from). >STEP 4 — Filing of Documents File the above documents with the Clerk of the court at the circuit court for the county in which you reside. Pay the filing fee. You will need to check with the Clerk of Court regarding publication of the Notice. In some jurisdictions publication arrangements are the responsibility of the party asking for publication. In other jurisdictions the Clerk of Court will arrange to have the Notice published. > STEP 5 — Service If you have not obtained the consent of each parent, guardian and custodian of the child, you will need to serve each person who has not consented with the following papers which you have filed or which have been provided by the Court. See General Instructions. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Petition for Change of Name Notice Order for Change of Name All attachments you filed with these documents Writ of Summons (This will be given to you after you file your documents) >STEP 6 — Pay for the Publication of the Notice The newspaper will send you an invoice to have the Notice published. You are required to pay this invoice. Publication can be expensive. After the Notice has been published, you and the Clerk will be sent a confirmation from the newspaper. >STEP 7 — Consideration of Petition and Issuance of Order After the Clerk receives the confirmation from the newspaper, they will send your Petition to a judge. The judge will review all of the information. Page 2 of 3 DRIN 62 - Revised 15 May 2003 American LegalNet, Inc. www.USCourtForms.com If someone has contested the name change, if you have not secured the consent of all parents, guardians or custodians, or if the judge has any questions about your petition, a hearing may be scheduled. (Remember to Respond to any objection within 15 days after you receive it and include a Request for Hearing or Proceeding, DOM REL 59, if you want the court to hold a hearing on the objection). If no one has contested the change, and everything has been done properly, then the judge may sign the proposed Order for Name Change. You will receive a certified copy of the signed Order in the mail, and, for a small fee, you may obtain additional certified copies of the Order from the Clerk. You will need to use a certified copy of the Order for Name Change to change the child’s name at the Motor Vehicle Administration (you may need other identification for this), the Bureau of Vital Statistics, the Social Security Administration, with creditors, or at the child’s school. Page 3 of 3 DRIN 62 - Revised 15 May 2003 American LegalNet, Inc. www.USCourtForms.com * * * IN THE MATTER OF: IN THE * CIRCUIT COURT Child's Current Name * Street Address FOR * City, State, Zip * Telephone * FOR CHANGE OF NAME TO: Civil No.: * Child's New Name * BY AND THROUGH HIS/HER MOTHER/FATHER/GUARDIAN: * * Petitioner's Name * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME (Minor) (DOM REL 62) TO THE HONORABLE, THE JUDGE OF SAID COURT: Petitioner, his/her 1. Mother Father Check One Guardian respectfully represents to this Court: That the minor child was born on Child's Birthdate and presently resides at 2. , a minor, by and through Child's Current Name in Child's Birthplace - City, State, Country Child's Present Address That the child's birth name is . Child's Birth Name The child's name has been changed to the following since birth for the following reasons: (List any reasons why the child's name may have changed since birth, for example, adoption). Name Changed To: Reason: I have attached a birth certificate or other document reflecting the child's current name. Page 1 of 2 DR 62 (Rev. 9/2005) American LegalNet, Inc. www.USCourtForms.com 3. Select one of the following: The child has never registered as a sexual offender; OR 4. The child is or has previously been registered as a sexual offender under the following name: Full Name as Registered . Petitioner wishes to change the child's name to: Child's New Name . 5. This change of name is being requested because: 6. The name and address of each parent, guardian and custodian of the child is: 7. The other parent, guardian or custodian: Consents to and joins this petition. Has not consented at this time. Cannot be found, and I have attached an Affidavit and Motion to Serve by Alternative Means. 8. Petitioner hereby certifies that the above change of name is not requested for any illegal or fraudulent purposes. WHEREFORE, I respectfully request that the Court pass an Order changing the minor child's name from to . New Name Current Name I, , solemnly affirm under the penalties of perjury, that the contents of the foregoing paper are true to the best of my knowledge, information and belief. Your Signature - MOTHER/FATHER/GUARDIAN Date Your Name - Printed Address City, State, Zip Telephone Page 2 of 2 DR 62 (Rev. 9/2005) American LegalNet, Inc. www.USCourtForms.com