Ask for an order recognizing your child's gender change and changing their name (when 1 or more parents aren't signing the request)
You start the process of asking the court to recognize your child's gender change and change their name by filling out court forms.
⚠️ These instructions are only for situations where 1 or more parent won't sign the petition. You'll need to follow different instructions if all parents will sign.
↗️ All court form links open in a new tab.
How to fill out your forms
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Fill out forms
Fill out these forms:
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Check the box that says "and change of name" at the top. At least one parent must sign. Your child may also sign it.
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- Order Recognizing Minor’s Change of Gender and Sex Identifier and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate (form NC-530) ↗️
- 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.
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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 with the court.
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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.
- One copy is for you. The extra copies are to serve your child’s other parent(s).
Gender change recognition and name change for a child
What's next?
Once you’ve completed the forms, you’ll file them with the court clerk.
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Go back to an overview
Return to an overview of the whole process for getting a court order recognizing your child's gender change and changing their name, when 1 or more parents aren't signing the request.
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Send this page to yourself
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Go to the next step
Get step-by-step instructions for filing your forms with the court.