Change your child's name to match their gender identity (when all parents sign the request)
To start the process of legally changing your child’s name to match their gender identity, you fill out court forms.
⚠️ These instructions are only if all parents will sign the petition. You need to follow different instructions if 1 or more parents won't sign the request.
↗️ All court form links open in a new tab.
How to fill out your court forms
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Fill out forms
Fill out these forms:
- Petition for Change of Name to Conform to Gender Identity (form NC-200) ↗️
Sometimes more than two parents need to sign form NC-200. This can happen when a child has more than two legal parents. For example, a child may have two biological parents and one adoptive parent, or a judge decided a child has more than 2 legal parents.
If more than two parents are signing, follow these steps:
1. In item 3, check "Other" and write the number of parents signing, like "three parents."
2. On page 2, check "Add additional signature lines for additional petitioners."
3. Fill out form MC-025 ↗️. Have each additional parent sign, print their name, and add the date.
4. Attach the completed form MC-025 to form NC-200. - Decree Changing Name (200 Series) (form NC-230) ↗️
- Civil Case Cover Sheet (form CM-010) ↗️
⚠️ Starting July 1, 2026, courts will automatically keep your petition and related court records private in most cases. If you filed before July 1, 2026, you can still ask the court to make your records private.
- Petition for Change of Name to Conform to Gender Identity (form NC-200) ↗️
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Find out if you have any local forms to fill out
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Some courts also have local forms you have to use.
- Check with your court clerk’s office or your court's website ↗️(opens in a new tab), or talk to your self-help center ↗️to ask if they have any local forms you need to use.
- Your self-help center may also be able to review your forms before you file them.
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Make copies
- Make at least 2 copies of all of your forms.
- When you file them, the court will keep the original and return the copies to you, stamped.
- Keep one of the copies for yourself and give copies your child’s other parents.
CHANGE A CHILD'S NAME TO MATCH GENDER
What's next?
Once you’ve completed the forms, you’ll file them with the court clerk.