A person can change their name for any reason. The only conditions are that the name change cannot be for any illegal or fraudulent purpose, and the new name does not interfere with the rights of others. For example, you cannot change your name to a celebrity's name to take advantage of the celebrity’s name.

A name change can be made informally, by usage, OR formally, by going to court and filing a petition.

Read the law: Hardy v. Hardy, 269 Md. 412 (1973); Klein v. Klein, 36 Md. App. 177 (1977)

Usage

You may change your name by simply picking a new name and then using it in your daily life. You can just start using your new name with friends, family, and any businesses with which you have contact. You will also need to change your records with various government agencies.

It is important to let friends, family, and your common contacts know that your name has changed. Generally, it is easiest to first change your name with the post office, then with the Social Security Administration, and then your driver's license.

Be aware that changing your name by usage will not be accepted by all organizations, particularly financial institutions. You may need to change your name by filing a petition with a court.

Read the law: Klein v. Klein, 36 Md. App. 177 (1977); Hall v. Hall, 30 Md. App. 214 (1976)

Going to Court and Filing a Petition

You can change your name through a legal proceeding through the courts. A legal proceeding has the advantages of being speedy, definite, and a matter of record.

• Petition for Name Change - To legally change your name through the Maryland courts, file a Petition for Change of Name in the Circuit Court of the county where you live.
• Publication Requirement - A notice of the request must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in that county, unless the Court grants a waiver of publication.
  • 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.
  • Waiver - To ask for a waiver of the publication requirement, you must make file a motion with the court, and the court will waive the requirement.
• Objections - After the notice has been published, other persons are given the opportunity to object. If someone objects, that person must file an objection and send a copy of the objection to you. You will have 15 days to respond to the objection by filing a written response with the Court.

If no one objects, and everything is done properly, then the judge may sign the Order for Name Change. A certified copy of the Order will be mailed to you. Use the certified copy of the Order for Name Change to change your name with the Social Security Administration, on your driver's license, with the Bureau of Vital Statistics, creditors, etc. 

See the Maryland Judiciary's Department of Family Administration for forms and instructions.

Read the law: Md. Rule 15-901

Note for anyone convicted of a sex offense: Registered sex offenders whose name has been changed by court order must to send a written notice of the change to every local law enforcement unit within three days after the order is entered. You will also be asked about this issue on the name change petition.

Read the law: Md. Code, Criminal Procedure § 11-705; Md. Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 3-2201; Md. Rule 15-901(c)(1)