Change your name to match your gender identity
You can ask the court to change your legal name to match your gender identity by filing forms.
↗️ Court form links open in a new tab.
How to fill out forms to change your name
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Fill out forms
Fill out these forms:
- Petition for Change of Name to Conform to Gender Identity (form NC-200) ↗️
- Order to Show Cause—Change of Name to Conform to Gender Identity (form NC-225) (only fill this out if you check item 4 on form NC-200) ↗️
- Decree Changing Name (200 Series) (form NC-230) ↗️
- Civil Case Cover Sheet (form CM-010) ↗️
📌 You can download the forms or you can use an online program to fill them out.
⚠️ 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.
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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.
Change your name to match gender identity
What's next?
Once you’ve completed the forms, you’ll file them with the court clerk.