Advocates Praise State Action to Remove Barriers, Increase Security in Name Change Process

Massachusetts State Legislature includes commonsense and timely reforms to remove barriers and safety risks for transgender and nonbinary people, survivors of domestic violence, and other individuals seeking legal name changes. Reforms effective immediately with the November 25 signature from Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey.

Today, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed an end-of-year Fiscal Year 2025 supplemental budget that included an amendment championed by advocates for LGBTQ+ people and other vulnerable communities that removes barriers and safety risks for Massachusetts residents legally changing their names. The new law takes immediate effect.

Originally introduced by Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), House Chair Jack Patrick Lewis (D-Framingham), and House Vice Chair Lindsay N. Sabadosa (D-Northampton) as Senate Bill 1045 and House Bill 1673 "An Act protecting personal security," the law updates the process for individuals seeking to legally change their name by:

Removing the requirement for public notice of a name change, allowing it only when a court can show good cause; and,

Ensuring name change records be kept confidential.

These reforms increase efficiency in name change and alleviate barriers and safety risks for transgender people and other vulnerable individuals, such as survivors of domestic violence, who seek a legal name change. House and Senate leaders worked closely together to ensure this important policy change became law.

"We're grateful to the State Legislature and Governor Healey for quickly acting to update Massachusetts' name change process so that it's more accessible to vulnerable residents, including survivors of domestic violence and our transgender family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers," said Polly Crozier, attorney at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD Law) "A legal name change makes it possible for transgender people's identity documents to reflect who they are, enabling them to live more safely and freely and reducing barriers in important activities like applying for a job, making purchases, or opening a bank account. This policy change was urgent and badly needed given the unrelenting attacks on the transgender community by the federal government. We're so thankful for the bold leadership and tenacity of our legislative allies including House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz, Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, and our sponsors, Senator Comerford, Chair Lewis, and Vice Chair Sabadosa, who, together and with their colleagues, got this timely reform passed into law."

"Now more than ever, it's important for legal name changes to be easily accessible for transgender and nonbinary people," said Finn Gardiner, advocacy and organizing manager of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC). "We are under relentless attack by the federal government, and the old requirements simply added to that risk. This new legislation will allow trans and nonbinary people to legally change their names without spending a fortune or outing themselves via a public notice. It's a relief to know that people will be safer from harassment, discrimination, and forced outing when they are especially vulnerable."

"This law removes obstacles and relieves anxiety for people who want to do a legal name change, which is particularly important for the safety and security of transgender people as they go about their daily lives," said House Ways and Means Chair Michlewitz (D-Boston). "As extremist forces work to negate the existence of our transgender family, friends, and neighbors, it's crucial that we provide strong and comprehensive protections for them at the state level."

"Changing one's name should never put someone at personal risk," said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). "For transgender and gender-nonconforming people, for survivors of domestic violence, and for anyone seeking safety or a fresh start, removing public notice requirements and prohibitive fees is a meaningful step forward. I am grateful for the advocacy of MTPC and GLAD Law, whose persistence made clear the urgency of this reform. These commonsense administrative changes will make a real and positive difference in people's lives across Massachusetts."

"This law makes the name change process safer and more efficient for everyone in the Commonwealth. Just as important, in the midst of a national campaign to harm and bully the transgender community, it sends a powerful message that Massachusetts remains a beacon of inclusion and protection for all," said House Chair Lewis (D-Framingham). "These updates provide safety and privacy for transgender people and others who might otherwise face real harm if forced to publicly broadcast their proposed name change."

"Eliminating prohibitive costs and intrusive disclosure requirements brings compassion and common sense to a process that many people find daunting," said House Vice Chair Sabadosa (D-Northampton). "At a time when the federal government is targeting transgender communities, Massachusetts is taking a clear stand for dignity, autonomy, and the right of every person to live authentically and safely."