“Michigan’s name change law amendments: Simplification of the legal name change process is ahead”

Heidi Naasko Co-Authored the Michigan Bar Journal article, “Michigan’s name change law amendments: Simplification of the legal name change process is ahead.” The article explains how legislation signed by Gretchen Whitmer streamlined the legal name change process in Michigan. The laws eliminated several barriers, including mandatory fingerprinting, FBI background checks, and certain hearing requirements that previously made the process lengthy and expensive. The legislation also makes it easier to waive the public notice requirement, particularly for survivors of violence or individuals seeking a name change to affirm their gender identity. Overall, the reforms are expected to significantly simplify the process, potentially reducing name change approvals from months to just days or weeks.