Instructions - br The Maryland name change for an adult as described in the State Title 15-901 is done by filing a petition to the county's civil court where you are a resident. It is easier, if you were just married, to have your certified marriage license with the raised seal or if you were recently divorced to have your divorce decree. Typically, you will not have a court hearing in Maryland but it depends on the circumstances of the name change.br br REQUIREMENTSbr Must be a resident for at least 6 monthsbr If just married, must have your original marriage certificate.br If just divorced, must have your divorce decree.br Step 1 - Fill-Out the Maryland Name Change Petition. The Petition must be notarized.br br Step 2 - Make 3 copies.br br Step 3 - File the Petition to the County Court Clerk's office in the County where your live. You will need to file the name change petition with a cover letter that will be provided to you by the County Court Clerk. Pay the filing fee and you will be given a case number.br br Step 4 - After you have successfully filed your name change petition the clerk will inform you of a newspaper that you will need to contact in order to announce your name change publicly. You will need to make a publication in the newspaper as part of the process. Once completed, the newspaper will submit a name change publication to the clerk or you depending on the county.br br Step 5 - If you have comleted the necessary steps and ready for your hearing you will either be asked to show up in court or be contacted when your name change decree is available. This will be your official certificate to change your name at the DMV, Passport Agency, Social Security Office, bank, and any other place you should change your name.