Get the Order recognizing your gender change and changing your name

If the judge approves your request to recognize your gender change and change your name, you will get an Order. That’s the document you will use to update your legal documents.

Before you start

When you filed your case, the clerk should have told you when to return to pick up your Order Recognizing Change of Gender and Sex identifier, for Name Change, and for Issuance of New Certificate (form NC-330) (link opens in a new tab).

At that time, the clerk either kept your Order form or told you to hold on to it.

If you were told to hold on to it, make sure you have it ready now.

Get a signed and filed Order

  • Get your Order from the court clerk

    • Go to the clerk’s office when the clerk told you to, usually at least 6 weeks after you filed your case.
    • If you have the Order Recognizing Change of Gender and Sex identifier, for Name Change, and for Issuance of New Certificate (form NC-330), take it with you. If the clerk kept it when you filed, tell the clerk they have it.
    • The clerk will process your Order and return it to you, signed by the judge and filed.

  • Get a certified copy of your Order

    • Get a certified copy of your Order so you can change your legal ID documents.
      • This means the clerk adds an official stamp to your Order that says the copy is true copy of the original. 
      • Depending on how many legal ID documents you want to update, you can ask for more than one certified Order. 
    • 💵 There is a $40 fee for each certified copy. If you have a fee waiver, you will not have to pay this fee.

  • Change your legal ID documents

    Take the certified copy of your Order to the different agencies that issued the IDs you have to update.  

    For example, contact the: 

    • Social Security Office near you to change your social security card and records 

    • DMV to change your driver’s license or ID  

    • Office of Vital Records to get an amended (updated) birth certificate  

    • US Passport office to change your passport 

    ⚠️ Your records are not updated automatically with your new name. 
    You must take a copy of your name change Order to each government agency where you need to update your ID or record. There may be different rules to update your name and to update your gender marker or sex identifier, so make sure you check both links below.

    Agency information to update your name 

    Agency information to change gender marker

You are done with the court's name change and gender recognition process. You use your Order to update your IDs and other legal documents.

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