Ask for an order recognizing your child's gender change and changing their name (when all parents will sign the request)
To start the process of asking the court to recognize your child's gender change and change their name, 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:
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Petition for Recognition of Minor’s Change of Gender and Sex Identifier and for and Issuance of New Birth Certificate (form NC-500) ↗️
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Check the box that says "and change of name" at the top. All parents 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 ↗️ (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 to your child’s other parents.
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.
