HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2168        FILED ON: 1/14/2009

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2034

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act relative to security of name changes and requests..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1.  Section 1D of Chapter 46 of the General Laws as appearing in the 2006 Official Edition is herby amended by inserting after the first sentence the following sentences:-

                If a party to the marriage who has changed his or her name files a certified copy of the certificate of marriage with the register of probate in the county where the parties were married or presently reside, the register of probate shall issue a certificate of change of name to the party who has changed his or her name in accordance with the certificate of marriage. No fee shall be charged, nor shall the party seeking the certificate of name change be required to file a petition for a name change. Notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 262, sections 34 and 40, the city or town registrar or clerk, or the register of probate shall not charge any fees for fulfilling the duties in this section.