Michigan Identity Documents

Overview

  • Name Change (Adult): Yes. There is a publication requirement, but it is possible to have it waived. A hearing may be scheduled. 
  • Name Change (Minor): Yes. There is a publication requirement, but it is possible to have it waived. A hearing may be scheduled. Generally, consent from all parents with custody rights is required with some limited exceptions.
  • Birth Certificate (Name): Yes. A copy of a certified court order for change of name is required to update your name.
  • Birth Certificate (Gender Marker): Yes. Can self-identify. Does not require medical documentation or a court order. You have the option to mark F, M, or X on your birth certificate.
  • Driver’s License (Name): Yes. A copy of a certified court order for change of name is required to make this change.
  • Driver’s License (Gender Marker): Yes. Can self-identify. Does not require medical documentation or a court order. You have the option to mark F, M, or X on DL/ID.
  • Restrictions Based on Prior Criminal Convictions: No. You must disclose any criminal record or pending charges in the petition but does not bar you from changing your name.

Michigan Name Change Law & Steps (for Adults)

To obtain a legal name change in Michigan, you must submit a petition to the court. These steps will guide you through the process.

Granting the requested name change is at the discretion of the circuit court. You can find the circuit court in your county of residence here. It is recommended to check with your local circuit court for any additional requirements, as some courts have their own local forms or guidelines.

Step 1: Complete the Name Change Petition

In order to begin the name change process, you must complete the PC-51 Petition for Name Change. 

You may also file the PC-51c Petition for Name Change and Ex Parte Request for Nonpublication and Confidential Record instead. If you have good cause that public notice of your name change would put you in danger of physical harm, retaliation, or discrimination, it is recommended to use PC-51c.

To file in your county of residence, you must have lived in that county for a minimum of one year. 

Don’t let the unfamiliar format of a court petition scare you. Make sure to review all your completed documents for correct spelling and formatting before filing.

Additionally, if you have a criminal record pr pending charges, you must disclose that you have a record on the petition. The court will conduct a background check. If you do not have a criminal record, you may indicate so on the petition.

Step 2: Gather Documents & File at the Circuit Court

You will need to file the required forms listed below with the circuit court of your county of residence. You can find your circuit court here. 

All the required forms are available here. You will need:

If you are unable to afford the filing fee, you can submit a fee waiver with the Fee Waiver Request.

Step 3: Publication Requirement (if applicable)

Michigan has a publication requirement, which requires notice of your name change to be published in a local newspaper. This requirement is to ensure that you are not changing your name for fraudulent purposes. However, you are able to waive this requirement if you meet the eligibility.

If you filed PC51c because publication poses a personal safety concern, this requirement will be waived. If you are changing your name to align with your gender identity, you qualify to waive this requirement. 

If you filed PC51c and you were denied a waiver, you may wish to file PC-162: Request for Hearing or Dismissal Regarding Name Change Proceeding.

If you did not file PC51c or your PC51c petition is denied, you will need to meet this publication requirement. You will need to file PC-50: Publication of Notice of Hearing Regarding Petition for Name Change. The newspaper in which you publish will send you an affidavit proving that you have met this requirement. You will need to file this affidavit as well. 

Step 4: Attend Hearing (if applicable) & Issuance of Final Decree

Once the proper paperwork is filed, the court may schedule a hearing, which you will be required to attend. 

During the hearing, the judge may ask you further questions about your requested name change. For more information on what a hearing is and how to prepare, click here.

If the court approves the request, they will sign the PC-52 Order Following Hearing Regarding Petition for Name Change. You will request a certified copy of the order from your circuit court. It is recommended that you ask for 5-7 copies of this order, as you will need certified copies to amend your identity documents. A $10.00 fee will apply per copy requested. 

Once you’ve received your certified copies, you may start updating documents and informing other relevant institutions. This includes important documents such as birth certificate, driver's license, social security card, and passport.

If the judge does not approve the request, you may decide to appeal against the decision or seek legal counsel. If your petition to make your petition confidential is denied, you may wish to file PC-162: Request for Hearing or Dismissal Regarding Name Change Proceeding.

Michigan Name Change Law & Steps (for Minors)

To obtain a legal name change as a minor (someone under 18 years of age), an adult (typically your parent or guardian) must submit a petition to the court on your behalf. These steps will guide you through the process.

Granting the requested name change is at the discretion of the circuit court. You can find your court in your county of residence here. It is recommended to check with your local court for any additional requirements, as some courts have their own local forms or guidelines.

Step 1: Complete the Name Change Petition

In order to begin the name change process, you must complete the PC-51 Petition for Name Change. 

You may also file the PC-51c Petition for Name Change and Ex Parte Request for Nonpublication and Confidential Record instead. If you have good cause that public notice of your name change would put you in danger of physical harm, retaliation, or discrimination, it is recommended to use PC-51c.

To file in your county of residence, you must have lived in that county for a minimum of one year. 

Don’t let the unfamiliar format of a court petition scare you. Make sure to review all your completed documents for correct spelling and formatting before filing.

Additionally, if you have a criminal record pr pending charges, you must disclose that you have a record on the petition. The court will conduct a background check. If you do not have a criminal record, you may indicate so on the petition.

Step 2: Gather Documents & File at the Circuit Court

You will need to file the required forms listed below with the circuit court of your county of residence. You can find your circuit court here. 

All the required forms are available here. You will need:

If you are unable to afford the filing fee, you can submit a fee waiver with the Fee Waiver Request.

Step 3: Parental Consent 

Generally, all parents with legal custody must consent to the name change. Additionally, if the minor is over the age of 14, the minor must also provide written consent.

If both parents consent to your requested name change, they are able to both be listed as petitioners on the name change petition. No additional forms are necessary, and you can proceed to the next step.

Consent is not needed from the non-petitioning parent, if the non-petitioning parent 1) has failed to visit or contact the minor for two or more years, 2) has failed to comply with a support order for two or more years, 3) has neglected to provide regular and substantial support for the minor for two or more years, 4) has been convicted of child abuse or murder. 

If a known legal parent does not sign the petition, they will still need to be notified through the serving process. If the non-petitioning parent lives in Michigan, you will need to have the required documentation hand-delivered (through personal service). If the non-petitioning parent lives out-of-state, you will need to send them the required documentation through certified mail. Make sure to request a return receipt as you will need to bring this to your hearing.

If you do not know the location of the non-petitioning parent, you will need to notify them through PC-50C Publication of Notice of Hearing Regarding Petition for Name Change (Non-custodial Parent). You will need to publish notice of your name change hearing in a newspaper that circulates in their last known address. If you are concerned for your personal safety about publishing notice, you can request an alternate mode of service with PC-164 Request and Order Regarding Alternate Service of Notice of Name Change Hearing.

Please contact your local court for more information on the serving process and the proper documentation for your county.

Step 4: Publication Requirement (if applicable)

Michigan has a publication requirement, which requires notice of your name change to be published in a local newspaper. This requirement is to ensure that you are not changing your name for fraudulent purposes. However, you are able to waive this requirement if you meet the eligibility.

If you filed PC51c because publication poses a personal safety concern, this requirement will be waived. If you are changing your name to align with your gender identity, you qualify to waive this requirement. 

If you filed PC51c and you were denied a waiver, you may wish to file PC-162: Request for Hearing or Dismissal Regarding Name Change Proceeding.

If you did not file PC51c or your PC51c petition is denied, you will need to meet this publication requirement. You will need to file PC-50: Publication of Notice of Hearing Regarding Petition for Name Change. The newspaper in which you publish will send you an affidavit proving that you have met this requirement. You will need to file this affidavit as well.

Step 5: Attend Hearing (if applicable) & Issuance of Final Decree

Once the proper paperwork is filed, the court may schedule a hearing, which you will be required to attend. 

During the hearing, the judge may ask you further questions about your requested name change. For more information on what a hearing is and how to prepare, click here.

Judges may consider whether to grant a name change for a minor according to what is in the ‘best interests of the child’. They typically evaluate the best interest of the child by looking at a variety of factors, which may include the child’s preference (taking into consideration their age and experience), the length of time a child has used that name, the difficulties, harassment, or embarrassment a child may experience from the present or proposed name, and the motives or interests of the parent.

If the court approves the request, they will sign the PC-52 Order Following Hearing Regarding Petition for Name Change. You will request a certified copy of the order from your circuit court. It is recommended that you ask for 5-7 copies of this order, as you will need certified copies to amend your identity documents. A $10.00 fee will apply per copy requested. 

Once you’ve received your certified copies, you may start updating documents and informing other relevant institutions. This includes important documents such as birth certificate, driver's license, social security card, and passport.

If the judge does not approve the request, you may decide to appeal against the decision or seek legal counsel. If your petition is denied, you may wish to file PC-162: Request for Hearing or Dismissal Regarding Name Change Proceeding.

Michigan Birth Certificate Policy & Procedures

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will issue an amended birth certificate upon receipt of a court order for name amendments and the sex designation form for gender marker amendments.

When Amending the Name Only

To change your name on your birth certificate, you will need to submit the following:

  • Application to Correct or Change a Michigan Birth Record
  • A certified copy of court order for change of name
  • A valid form of photo ID
  • The required $50.00 amendment fee, which includes one certified copy of the certificate. There is an additional $16.00 fee per copy for multiple copies. There is an optional $25.00 expediated rush fee as well. 
When Updating the Name and Gender Marker, or Gender Marker Only

Michigan will amend the gender marker on an individual's birth certificate upon receipt of the application form. No medical documentation, physician’s signature, court order or gender-affirming surgery is required. You have the option to mark F, M, or X on your birth certificate.

To change your gender marker on your birth certificate, you will need to submit the following: 

  • Application to Correct or Change a Michigan Birth Record
  • Sex Designation Form
  • A valid form of photo ID
  • The required $50.00 amendment fee, which includes one certified copy of the certificate. There is an additional $16.00 fee per copy for multiple copies. There is an optional $25.00 expediated rush fee as well.
  • A certified copy of court order for change of name (if you wish to amend the name simultaneously).
Submitting the Required Documents & Next Steps

If you were born in Michigan, you may mail your request, required documents, and fee payment to the Michigan Vital Records Office. It will take 5-6 weeks to process your request and amend your birth certificate.

Mailing address:

Vital Records Change 
P.O. Box 30721 
Lansing MI 48909

If you are no longer a Michigan resident, but you have a birth certificate issued by the state of [state], you are still able to mail-in your request and amend your birth certificate as outlined above. The Michigan Vital Records Office will accept a certified copy of an order for name change signed by a court from your current state of residence.  

If you were not born in Michigan, you will need to follow the amendment instructions from the state’s vital records office. For more instructions, find the state that issued your birth certificate in A4TE’s ID Doc Center and skip to the section on birth certificates.

For more information or questions regarding amending your birth certificate, contact the Vital Records.

Michigan Driver's License Policy & Procedures

In order to update the name on a Michigan driver’s license or state ID, you must first change your name with the Social Security Administration. For more information on that process, visit the Social Security Record section of the ID Documents Center.

To change your name on your license or state ID, you will need to make an in-person appointment with the DMV. You can schedule an appointment here. 

You will need to bring the following to your appointment: 

  • A certified copy of your order of name change
  • Your current DL/ID
  • Updated social security
  • The $9.00-$10.00 licensing fee (which varies depending on if you are applying for a driver’s license or a state ID)
When Updating the Name and Gender Marker, or Gender Marker Only

Michigan will update the gender marker on a DL/ID to male, female, or X upon self-attestation by the applicant of their gender. No medical documentation is required.

To change your gender marker on your license or state ID, you will need to make an in-person appointment with the Secretary of State offices. You can schedule an appointment here. Walk-ins are also welcome. A list of office locations is available here. 

You will need to bring the following to your appointment: 

  • Sex Designation Form 
  • Your current DL/ID
  • Updated social security
  • The $9.00-$10.00 licensing fee (which varies depending on if you are applying for a driver’s license or a state ID)
  • A certified copy of your order of name change (if you also wish to update your name simultaneously)

If you have additional questions, you may wish to contact your DMV at https://www.michigan.gov/sos/license-id.

Additional Resources

For even more information, please check out the A4TE Name Change Overview page as well as the additional state resources listed below. You can also reach out with questions via email at [email protected].

  • Equality Michigan —non-profit organization that provides a wide variety of services and resources for LGBT people in Michigan, including financial and logistical assistance with name changes and updating gender markers. For guidance on the name change process in Michigan, or to see if you qualify for financial aid, please contact Margaret Avery.
  • Jim Toy Center OUTreach—project run by law students and volunteer attorneys who offer pro-bono assistance to LGBTQ people, including information and guidance for legal name changes.
  • Transgender Michigan—trans support organization that runs help line staffed by a licensed social worker and provides links and referrals to transgender resources throughout Michigan

Michigan Legislature Code Citations

Last updated November 2025.

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