Maine Name Change Instructions and Forms Package for an Adult
Note: This summary is not intended to be an all-inclusive
discussion of the law applicable to an action for change of name in Maine,
but does include basic and other provisions.
Name Change Action Allowed: In
Maine, a person may change their name by filing an action in the Probate
Court with appropriate forms.
Who is an adult? A person who
has attained the age of 18 years is considered an adult.
Is there any reason why a person might not be allowed
to change his or her name? Yes. The court must find
that the requested name change is consistent with the public interest.
A person is not allowed to change their name in order to avoid judgments
or legal actions against him or her, or to avoid debts and obligations.
A person can not change their name to defraud any person.
Requirements for Name Change Order:
For an order of name change to be granted, the court must find sufficient
reasons for the change and also find it consistent with the public interest.
A change of name upon marriage, dissolution, or divorce meets these requirements.
Is Publication of a Notice Required?
No.
Procedures: The Petitioner files
the petition with the probate court in the county where the person resides.
After consideration of the Petition, the court then may rule on the Petition.
Additonal Information and Instructions
Statutes:
Petition to change name:
(a) If a person desires to have that person's name changed,
the person may petition the judge of probate in the county where the person
resides. If the person is a minor, the person's legal custodian may
petition in the person's behalf.
(b) The judge, after due notice, may change the name of the
person. To protect the person's safety, the judge may limit the notice
required if the person shows by a preponderance of the evidence that:
(1) The person is a victim of abuse; and
(2) The person is currently in reasonable fear of the person's
safety.
(c) The judge shall make and preserve a record of the name change.
If the judge limited the notice required under subsection (b), the judge
may seal the records of the name change.
(d) The fee for filing the name change petition is $25.
Maine Statutes, Title 18-A Probate Code, Article I General Provisions,
Definitions and Jurisdiction, § 1-701.
Other Name Change References:
Name change:
Upon the request of either spouse to change that person's own name,
the court, when entering judgment for divorce:
1. Former name. Shall change the name of that spouse to a former
name requested; or
2. Any other name requested. May change the name of that spouse
to any other name requested. Maine Statutes, Title 19-A Domestic
Relations, Part 2 Married Persons, Chapter 29 Divorce, Subchapter IV Change
of Name, § 1051.
Definitions:
As used in this Title, unless the context otherwise indicates,
the following terms have the following meanings.
1. Adult. "Adult" means a person who is 18 years of age
or older.
2. Child. "Child" means a person who has not attained 18 years
of age. Maine Statutes, Title 19-A Domestic Relations, Part 1 General
Provisions, Chapter 1 General Provisions, § 101
