To change your name in Maine, you will have to file a "Change of Name" petition with the Probate Court in the county where you live.
Each county in Maine has its own Probate Court, which is run by the county. Since these courts are run by the counties, and not by the state, the process for changing your name will be a little different in each county.
All of these motions are handled a little bit differently – there isn’t a one-size-fits-all roadmap for these motions. The way the court process will go from here really depends on which motion you use, and which court you are in. In this section, we will explain the most general steps. If there is anything you are confused about, the Judge, Magistrate, or one of the Court Clerks should explain the next steps in your case, and what your options are.
You need to give or send copies of your completed forms to the other party before the court will hear your case. The forms packet you got from the clerk or online tells you how to do this, Form FM-088. Follow the steps carefully.
You have three options for service
Option One: Regular mail
Find the motion you will use below to learn more about the court forms you will need. If you aren’t sure which motion you need to use, read over Which motion do I need? to learn more about each one.
Posted and up-to-date on 9/19/2022
Many COVID-19 pandemic safety rules have been changed or lifted, but some court meetings are still being held remotely. When in doubt, you should always check the notice you get for your court date. Here are some common things to be aware of as we transition out of the pandemic.
Posted and up-to-date on 9/20/2023
On March 27th 2020 emergency legislation called the CARES Act was signed into law in response to the COVID-19 public health crisis. The law includes some relief for borrowers with federal student loans that are held by the federal government. The protections had been extended multiple times since March 2020, but they ended in September, 2023.
You can get fillable forms online, except for the Summons. You must get the Summons form from the Court Clerk. The Court charges $5.00 for a signed Summons form.
Get the other forms you need here:
Step-by-step guide to Maine divorce and parental rights (unmarried parent) cases.
