Name Changes


Name Change for a Minor Under 18

You must have been a resident of Mackinac County for one year prior to filing.

Petition to Change Name (PC51) must be filed.  The petition must be signed by A) both parents jointly, or B) the surviving parent if the other is deceased, or C) one parent is there is not another legal  parent  to give consent, or D) a custodial parent if no visitation or support by the other parent within the preceding two years in compliance with a support order, or in a regular and substantial amount, or E) the guardian of a minor or an incapacitated parent when provisions of the law are met.

The filing fee of $187.00 is paid when the paperwork is filed.  The check should be payable to “Mackinac County Circuit Court.”  The paperwork is filed at the Mackinac County Probate Court.

Publication of the name change must be made in The St. Ignace News at least 14 days prior to a scheduled hearing.  An affidavit of publication issued by the newspaper must be submitted to the court prior to the hearing.

Notice to a non-custodial parent must be made by mail at least 14 days prior to the hearing, or seven days prior if personal service is made.  If the address of the non-custodial parent is unknown, the court will provide further information.

At the hearing, the court may permit any person with the same or similar name to intervene for the purpose of showing fraud or evil intent.  The non-custodial parent may appear and object to the name change.

Following the hearing, an Order Changing Name is issued.  Upon receipt of a certified copy of the Order Changing Name and the proper application, the State Registrar will attach it as an addendum to the original birth certificate.  A new birth certificate will be created only if the court directs the State Registrar to do so.  Only the name will be changed; names of the parents remain as on the original certificate.

Forms and instructions are available at the Probate Court office.
Phone: (906) 643-7303
Location: 1st floor Mackinac County Courthouse

Change of Name for an Adult

Each person for whom a name change is sought, including your spouse and/or children, must have been a resident of Mackinac County for one year.

Petition to Change Name (PC51) is filed and signed by A) a single adult, or B) both husband wife if the spouse’s name will be changed, AND if minor children are to be included, those 14 to 17 must give written consent; minors under 14, if they are of sufficient age to express a preference, must consent.

Every person 22 years of age and older, whose name will be changed, must obtain fingerprint clearance.  See Special Instructions for Name Change form available at court.  State and federal records will be checked.  A hearing will not be scheduled until fingerprint clearance is filed.

Publication of the name change must be made in The St. Ignace News one time 14 days prior to the hearing.  The affidavit of publication issued by the newspaper must be filed with the court prior to the hearing.

The petitioner and any other family members whose name will be changed must appear at the scheduled hearing.

At the hearing, the Court may permit any person with the same or a similar name to intervene for the purpose of showing fraud or evil intent.

Following the hearing, an Order Changing Name will be issued.  Upon receipt of a certified copy of the name change order and the proper application, the State Registar will attach it as an addendum to the original birth certificate.

The filing fee of $187.00 is payable to “Mackinac County Circuit Court.”  Paperwork is filed at the Mackinac County Probate Court.

Forms and instructions are available at the Probate Court office.
Phone: (906) 643-7303
Location: 1st floor Mackinac County Courthouse