How long is name change process in maryland?

[Anonymous]

DC would like to change name before starting school in the fall. How long is the process in PG county in particular? The website says one day (awesome) to 6 months (not so awesome). I guess I’ll head to circuit court on Monday to file the papers but any advice or insight appreciated.

[Anonymous]

I did it in moco years ago and it took about 10 weeks. I had to go in person to file the paperwork but did not have to go before a judge. I think if it's a minor or the name is unusual or there's some sort of mitigating circumstance the judge may want you to come in instead of just signing off.

[Anonymous]

I wish it didn’t take so long.

[Anonymous]

Bump

[Anonymous]

Are you transgender? If so, you can fill out a form and not have to publish in the paper in MD.

[Anonymous]

This may not solve your DC's problem, but at least in MCPS you can fill out a form to have your name changed on all school paperwork without a legal name change.

[Anonymous]

DC is starting college in the fall and hoping the change goes through before then. It's annoying that no one can give insight into the process. At the circuit court, the clerk said, "It's up to the judge." and no more. So it sounds like it COULD be well before the beginning of fall semester, but also sounds like maybe not.

[Anonymous]

Bump. Did any of the earlier PPs attempt this? How long did it actually take after submitting the form to the circuit court?

Trying to do the same for my daughter before college in fall 2024, but we also need passports/ssa/DL etc changed. She's applying to schools overseas.

[Anonymous]

I had my name changed very recently in MoCo, MD (for personal reasons (non trans)).

Here was my timeline:
Early November - submission of forms to circuit court
Late November - notice of receipt and posting of name on court board (I don’t know if they do this for gender change, but they generally post your new name on the court board or in a local for people to make objections)
Late December - notification of name change and receipt of certificate. You’ll probably want to go to the court and get several of these

10 weeks sounds about right.

[Anonymous]

Edit to this: I never had to go before a judge, but a judge did review my petition as standard procedure. I think it is very humdrum unless someone files an objection to the name change.