Ask for a court order recognizing your change of gender and changing your name
You start the process of asking for a court order recognizing your gender change and changing your name by filling out court forms.
How to fill out forms to ask for recognition of your gender change and change of name
🔗 Links to court forms below open in a new tab.
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Fill out forms
- Petition for Recognition of Change of Gender and Sex Identifier, Name Change, and Issuance of New Certificates (form NC-300)
- Name and Information about the Person Whose Name is to be Changed (form NC-110) and attach it to the NC-300
- If you are asking to change your information on your child's birth certificate, fill out Birth Certificate for Child of Petitioner–Attachment (form NC-311) and attach it to the NC-300. If your child is 18 or older, they must also sign.
- If you are asking to change your marriage certificate, fill out Marriage License and Certificate–Attachment (form NC-312) and attach it to NC-300. If your spouse did not sign NC-312, also fill out Order to Show Cause–Issuance of New Marriage License and Certificate (form NC-325)
- Civil Case Cover Sheet (form CM-010) (some courts do not require this form)
- Order Recognizing Change of Gender and Sex identifier, for Name Change, and for Issuance of New Certificate (form NC-330) (fill out the boxes at the top)
- Order to Show Cause—Change of Name to Conform to Gender Identity (form NC-125)
💵 You will need to pay a fee when you file the forms ($435 - $450). If you can't afford the fee, fill out another form to ask for a fee waiver.
⚠️ If you're worried about safety, you may be able to keep your request confidential
You can ask the court to keep your name change confidential if you're in the:
- State Witness Program, or
- Safe at Home address confidentiality program and are changing your name to avoid domestic violence, stalking, or human trafficking, or are a victim of sexual assault,
Learn how with Information Sheet for Name Change Proceedings Under Address Confidentiality Program (Safe at Home) (form NC-400-INFO).
💬 Talk to your self-help center to find out options.
If you're worried about safety, there are people that can help you come up with a safety plan to keep you safe at home, work, school, other places that you go, and online. Go to the National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1-800-799-SAFE.
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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 (link 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 a copy
- Make 1 copy of all of your forms.
- When you file them, the court will keep the original and return the copy to you, stamped.
- Keep the copy for yourself.
Name change and gender recognition
What's next?
Once you’ve completed the forms, you’ll file them with the court clerk.