Changing Your Name to Match Your Gender Identity
Court order first, then each agency’s own rules. Official links, last checked 2026-10-19.
- Court: USAGov: “In most cases, you must file a petition with your local court to change your name.” Forms, fees and steps are set by each state; official examples below.
- Social Security: the name changes through a replacement-card request — online if eligible, otherwise an appointment (ssa.gov/personal-record/change-name). SSA’s operations manual says SSA changes the sex field only “to reflect the NH’s sex at birth” (POMS RM 10212.200, rev. 06/05/2026).
- Passport: the name form depends on when the passport was issued and when the name changed (DS-5504 / DS-82 / DS-11). The State Department says it issues “an M or F sex marker that matches your biological sex at birth” and no X marker (Sex Markers in Passports, last updated March 16, 2026; name-change page last updated September 28, 2026).
Federal rules on sex markers changed in 2025 and may change again. Quotes from each agency’s page, last checked 2026-10-19.
Free guides, plus an optional tool that copies what you type onto blank official forms you choose. How the tool works
The Court Name Change Process
USAGov: “In most cases, you must file a petition with your local court to change your name.” Each state sets its own forms, fees and steps; official examples are below.
File with your local court and pay the court’s filing fee, or ask for a fee waiver.
Whether notice or newspaper publication is required depends on the state and court. Check your state court’s self-help page.
Whether there is a hearing depends on the state and court.
The signed order is the name-change document agencies ask for. The State Department, for example, asks for “an original or certified document showing your name change.”
Gender Marker Changes: Separate but Related
Name and sex marker are separate records. Federal sex-marker rules changed in 2025; the summaries below quote each agency as of 2026-10-19.
Social Security Administration
Name: SSA says, “Depending on your situation, you may be able to request your change online. If not, you’ll need to make an appointment at a local office.” Sex field: SSA’s operations manual says, “The agency is only correcting or changing the sex field on the NUMIDENT to reflect the NH’s sex at birth” (POMS RM 10212.200, rev. 06/05/2026).
U.S. Passport
Name: the form depends on when your passport was issued and when your name changed (State Department change-correct page). Sex marker: the State Department says, “We only issue a passport with an M or F sex marker that matches your biological sex at birth,” it no longer issues an X marker, and it “will not honor attestations requesting a preferred sex marker” (Sex Markers in Passports, last updated March 16, 2026). To find out which form applies and what you’ll pay, use the State Department’s passport fee calculator and form guide.
State Documents (DMV, Birth Certificate)
Driver’s license and birth-certificate rules are set by each state’s motor vehicle and vital-records offices. This page does not summarize them; see your state’s official pages.
California example: CA Courts says the decree can be used “to change your name on any legal documents, like birth certificate, social security card, passport, and driver’s license.”
Updating Federal Documents
USAGov: “Notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) early. Other agencies learn of name changes through the SSA.”
Online if eligible, otherwise an appointment; paper Form SS-5 if you can’t use online services. SSA: “You can request a free replacement card.”
Name: DS-5504, DS-82 or DS-11 depending on timing. Sex marker: see above.
USAGov: “Every name on your tax return must match Social Security Administration (SSA) records.” See IRS name change.
Contact your state motor vehicle office (USAGov). Documents and sex-marker rules are set by each state; see DMV name change.
Official state examples
3 of 50 states plus DC shown: California, Illinois and Minnesota, because their official court pages loaded on 10/19/2026. Other states: check your state court’s self-help page. A blank cell means not verified.
| State | Official page | What the page says (last checked 2026-10-19) | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/name-change/name-match-gender-adult; /gender-recognition/gender-name-adult; jcc-form/NC-300 | Name to match gender identity: petition → file and pay (or ask for a fee waiver) → signed decree; “generally takes up to 2 months”. Combined gender recognition + name change: Form NC-300 (“Effective: July 1, 2026”); judge decides “after a 6 week waiting period”; filing by mail allowed; “Some courts allow online filing”. | “$435-$450” (CA Courts self-help, as of 2026-10-19; check the current fee) |
| Illinois | illinoiscourts.gov … /name-change/ | Statewide adult forms “All Illinois Courts must accept”: How to Change your Name, Request for Name Change, Motion to Impound, Order to Impound, Order for Name Change (approved 03/2025). | Check your court’s page |
| Minnesota | mncourts.gov/getforms/name-change | Adult forms include NAM101 (instructions), NAM102 Application for Name Change, NAM103 Criminal History Check Release, NAM107 Proposed Order. | Check your court’s page |
State guides: California, New York, Texas
Privacy
Privacy in court records: Illinois’s statewide name-change forms include a Motion to Impound and an Order to Impound (illinoiscourts.gov). Other states: check your state court’s self-help page for privacy or sealing options.
Find your state guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer for a gender identity name change?
Many people handle a name change themselves. If your situation involves custody, immigration, or a criminal record, consider talking to a lawyer.
Can I change my name and gender marker at the same time?
The court step depends on the state; California’s Form NC-300, for example, asks for gender recognition and (if you want) a name change together. For federal records, SSA says it changes the sex field only to reflect sex at birth, and the State Department says it issues an M or F marker that matches sex at birth (both as of 2026-10-19). Name changes at both agencies follow their normal name-change steps.
Do Social Security and the passport office change sex markers?
As of 2026-10-19: SSA’s operations manual says SSA changes the sex field only “to reflect the NH’s sex at birth” (POMS RM 10212.200). The State Department says it issues “an M or F sex marker that matches your biological sex at birth” and no X marker. Rules may change; check each agency’s page.
How much does a gender identity name change cost?
The court sets the filing fee; California’s is “$435-$450” (CA Courts self-help, as of 2026-10-19), and you can ask the court for a fee waiver. SSA says the replacement card is free. Passport fees depend on the form; use the State Department’s fee calculator. See name change cost for more.
Do I have to publish my name change in a newspaper?
It depends on the state and court. Check your state court’s self-help page.
How long does the entire process take?
California example: the court process “generally takes up to 2 months” (CA Courts). SSA mails the card 5 to 10 business days after it completes the request. State Department routine processing is 4–6 weeks plus mailing time (as of 2026-10-19). Other states: check your court.
What documents do I need to bring to court?
Each court lists its own forms. Examples: California Form NC-300; Minnesota NAM102 (application) and NAM103 (criminal history check release); Illinois’s statewide Request for Name Change. Check your court for any other documents.
Official sources
Forms, fees and rules change. Check these official pages (and your county court) before you file.
- Change your name (USAGov) (USAGov) Last checked 2026-10-19.
- Change your name with Social Security (Social Security Administration) Last checked 2026-10-19.
- Replace your Social Security card (Social Security Administration) Last checked 2026-10-19.
- SSA FAQ KA-01981 (Social Security Administration) Last checked 2026-10-19.
- POMS RM 10212.200 (Social Security Administration) Last checked 2026-10-19.
- Form SS-5 (PDF) (Social Security Administration)
- Sex Markers in Passports (U.S. Department of State) Last checked 2026-10-19.
- Change or correct a passport (U.S. Department of State) Last checked 2026-10-19.
- Passport processing times (U.S. Department of State) Last checked 2026-10-19.
- Passport fee calculator and form guide (U.S. Department of State) Last checked 2026-10-19.
- Name to match gender identity (adult) (California Courts) Last checked 2026-10-19.
- Gender recognition and name change (adult): file (California Courts) Last checked 2026-10-19.
- Form NC-300 (California Courts) Last checked 2026-10-19.
- Name change forms (Illinois Courts) Last checked 2026-10-19.
- Name change forms (Minnesota Judicial Branch) Last checked 2026-10-19.
Links checked 2026-10-19.
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Last checked 2026-10-19 · Not legal advice · Terms · Privacy