The General Name Change Process
Legal name changes follow a similar general process across most states, but the specific court, fees, requirements, and timeline vary significantly. The process below covers the most common path. See the state selector below for details specific to your state.
A court order changing your name is the foundation document for almost everything else. You cannot easily update your Social Security record, passport, driver's license, birth certificate, or bank accounts without it. Getting the court order is the first step, and everything else follows from there. Once you have the certified court order, the rest is paperwork.
File a Petition with Your Local Court
File a name change petition with the appropriate court in your county (usually a circuit court, district court, or superior court, depending on your state). Most courts have a standard form. You will need to pay a filing fee, which ranges from about $20 to $500 depending on state. Many courts offer fee waivers for people who cannot afford the fee. See our state guide below for your specific court.
Publication (If Required in Your State)
Some states require you to publish notice of your name change in a local newspaper for a set period, often once per week for two to four consecutive weeks. This requirement dates to the 19th century and many states have eliminated it, partly in recognition of the privacy and safety concerns it creates for transgender people. Check the state guide below to see if publication is required in your state, and whether you can request a waiver.
Court Hearing (If Required)
Some states require a court hearing where a judge approves your name change. Others process name changes administratively without a hearing. If a hearing is required, it is typically brief. You appear before a judge, confirm that you are the petitioner and that the name change is not for fraudulent purposes, and the judge signs the order. Come with any required documentation.
Receive Your Certified Court Order
After the judge signs your name change order, obtain certified copies from the court clerk. You will typically need at least 3-5 certified copies, as various agencies require an original certified copy. Ask for more than you think you need. Certified copies cost a small fee each (typically $5-$15 per copy). The court order is the document you present when updating your name everywhere else.
Update Your Social Security Record
Bring your certified court order to your local Social Security Administration office, along with proof of identity and citizenship. You can update your name on your Social Security record. You can also update your gender marker: the SSA allows gender marker changes with a self-attestation form or medical documentation, depending on current policy. Your Social Security card with your new name will arrive by mail.
Update Your Driver's License or State ID
Bring your certified court order and updated Social Security card (or Social Security letter) to your state DMV to update your driver's license or state ID. Requirements for gender marker changes vary by state. Some states require medical documentation; others accept self-certification. See the state guide below.
Update Your Passport
To update your U.S. passport, submit Form DS-5504 (if your current passport is less than one year old) or Form DS-11 (for all others), along with your certified court order and a passport photo. For gender marker changes: the State Department currently allows self-certification for gender marker changes on passports with no additional documentation required. Processing times vary; expedited processing is available for an additional fee.
Update Your Birth Certificate
Birth certificate gender marker changes are regulated by the state where you were born, not the state you currently live in. Requirements vary dramatically. Some states allow straightforward administrative changes; others require surgery documentation; some have restricted or eliminated the ability to change gender markers on birth certificates. See the state guide for your birth state (not necessarily your current state).
Update Everything Else
Once you have your court order and updated government ID, you can update all other records: bank accounts, credit cards, insurance policies, medical records, employer records, educational transcripts, professional licenses, and subscriptions. Most institutions will accept a certified court order and updated ID as sufficient documentation. See the full checklist below.
You do not have to navigate this process alone. Lambda Legal, the Transgender Law Center, and the National Center for Transgender Equality all offer free resources, ID document project kits, and in some cases legal assistance. Many local LGBTQ+ community centers also have volunteer attorneys who can help with name change petitions at no cost. Look for your nearest LGBTQ+ legal clinic.