To obtain a legal name change in Michigan, an applicant must submit a petition to the court. The applicant must publish notice of the petition, but the court may waive the publication requirement for a good cause and seal the court proceedings. Applicants over the age of 22 must provide two sets of fingerprints. Applicants with a criminal record have the burden of proof to rebut a presumption of fraudulent intent. (Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. §§ 711.1-711.3.
For instructions on legal name changes for minors under 18 in Michigan, see NCTE's Name Changes for Minors in Michigan resource.