I'm changing my name, and I thought it might be helpful for others to document the process here.
To change names in Massachusetts, you must fill out a petition for name change (simple, free, and available online), and submit it with a certified copy of your birth certificate ($50 + shipping, ordered online) to your local probate court.
May 19: Ordered birth certificate and filled out petition.
May 23: Birth certificate arrived via UPS.
May 25: Submitted petition to court and filled out a request for criminal record check. Paid fee of $180 ($150 Filing Fee, $15 Surcharge, $15 Fee for Citation (Notice) for publication, if required)
The court will be mailing me a citation for publication in a local newspaper (this can be waived with a motion to the court, but is mandatory when changing last names). The citation will come with instructions for the wording of the legal notice and information on what newspaper to put it in, how long it needs to run, and how to provide proof of publication to the court.
When I have provided proof to the court, a hearing will be scheduled. At the hearing, the judge may ask my reason* for the name change, in order to determine if I'm attempting to change it for illegal purposes. Anyone with objections will be allowed to speak as well. Then the judge will make the decision.
* I listed my reason on the petition as:
"I've transitioned from male to female, and I feel my old name is no longer fitting for the person I've become."
I'll update this thread and provide more information as my case moves through the system.
Hugs, Devlyn Marie Tracey
Congrats and Good luck Devlyn. Hugs
Mariah
The court said it would be six to eight weeks to receive the citation to publish, and it arrived on Monday, July 18th. Two days shy of eight weeks.
I went to the newspaper today and purchased the ad in Legal Notices, another $167.00 that the name change has cost so far. My ad will be published on 7/27/16 and people have until 8/16/16 to file objections.
So far we're at two months and $340 spent. I'm not counting the $50 for the birth certificate because it isn't really part of the name change process and you won't need it if you already have a (long form) birth certificate.
I expect to update the thread on the 28th when I bring the copy of the newspaper and the citation back to court.
Hugs, Devlyn
The legal notice came out in yesterday's paper, and I was at the courthouse first thing this morning with a copy. I submitted my completed citation with the page from the newspaper. The clerk said they handle them administratively, and I should hang tight and wait for the certified copy of the court order to come in the mail. Objections can be filed through Aug 16th, so I assume nothing else will be happening until then. I asked if there would be a court appearance and the clerk said only if the judge needed to address something.
Hopefully my next update will be the big news! ;D
Hugs, Devlyn
Guess who's officially known as Devlyn Marie Tracey now? ;D
The court order came on Thursday, September 1, 2016. The whole process took ninety nine days and cost $340
I'm loving the line right under my name! :)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1279.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy537%2FDevlynMarie%2F20160901_184401_zpscsgzwpnk.jpg&hash=93aefd766f43fba39ca9481f499f6804a6585f69)
Hugs, Devlyn
Congratulations! You are officially you!
Quote from: KathyLauren on September 06, 2016, 11:31:29 AM
Congratulations! You are officially you!
Yes, I am! Thanks, hon!
Hugs, Devlyn