How to file forms with the court
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Take your forms to the court clerk
File the forms in any superior court in California. If you live in California, it can be the court in the county where you or your child live but doesn't have to be. Find a court where civil cases are filed.
At the courthouse, file the forms you filled out by giving the original and the copies to the clerk.
The clerk will stamp the forms, keep the original and return the copies to you.
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Pay a filing fee
You’ll need to pay a fee of $435-$450 to the clerk when you file your forms.
If you can’t afford the fee, you can ask the clerk for a fee waiver. Keep in mind that because both of you are filing together as parents, you both would have to qualify for the fee waiver. You may qualify for a fee waiver if:
- You receive public benefits
- Your income is less than a set amount
- You can’t afford the fee and meet your basic needs
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Ask the clerk about your court's next steps
Find out how to pick up a copy of the signed order after a 6-week waiting period.
You must wait for 6 weeks to see if anyone objects to your request. If no one files a written objection within 6 weeks, your request will be granted without a court hearing. The judge will sign the order recognizing your child's gender change.
Change a child’s gender without a name change
What's next?
Once you’ve filed your forms, you must wait 6 weeks to see if anyone files a written objection. If not, the judge will sign your request.