How to Legally Change Your Name

Overview

The process of changing your name can be daunting. These guides are available to use as a tool to assist with making your name change as smooth as possible. If at any point during the process you come across a step that has changed, please reach out to let us know so that we can update the guide. We at Alps Creative Co. wish you all the best on your journey to legally changing your name and encourage you to reach out if you have any questions!

General Steps and Requirements

The following are the general steps required to change your name in California. The process for each county may slightly differ from the steps below, so be sure to look into the specific requirements that your county/court requires. If you have any questions about the process or requirements, feel free to reach out and we are happy to help you research the specific requirements for your county!

Requirements

• Be 18 years old (if you are under 18, these steps must be completed by your legal guardians) 
• Completing and filing a petition

Information Needed

• Current legal name
• Street address
• Phone number
• Email address
• Address of county court
• Date of birth
• Place of birth
• Sex assigned at birth
• Reason for name change
• Attest whether you are or aren't in state prison, on parole, or required to register as a sex offender

Please note: California does not state anywhere what the requirements to prove identification are. Be prepared with copies of your driver's license/ID card, social security card, birth certificate, and passport (if applicable).

Documents Needed

• Form NC-100
  • Make sure to check box 6 if you are changing your name to match your gender identity
• Form NC-110
  • On item 7c, you will explain that you are changing your name to match your gender identity
• Form NC-125
• Form CM-010
  • Some courts may not require this form, so look into your specific court's requirements
• Form NC-130
  • Fill out the boxes at the top and item 3
• Payment method to pay the filing fee (can range between $435 - $450)
  • You can fill out this form to ask the court for a fee waiver
  • You can qualify for a fee waiver if:
    • You receive public benefits
    • Your income is less than a set amount
    • You can't afford the fee and meet your basic needs
  • A fee waiver would also waive the $40 per certified copy of the approved name change petition (you need these to apply for your new documents)

Please note: there may be additional forms that you have to fill out at your local court, so contact your court clerk's office to find out if there are additional forms.

Legal Aid Resources

Los Angeles LGBT Center

National Center for Transgender Equality

Trans Lifeline ID Change Library

Unique Woman's Coalition (Focuses on Needs of Black Trans culture)

University of California San Francisco Transgender Care Legal Info

My Name Change Petition Was Accepted. Now What?

Congratulations on your name change petition being accepted! Once your legal name has been changed, it is time to change all of your legal documents to reflect this. Be sure to get multiple certified copies of your name change at the court house because you will need them when you apply for your documents with your new legal name. See below for the general process for changing documents like your social security card, drivers license, and passport!

Social Security Card

• Documents Needed
  • Application​
  • Original Social Security card
  • Certified copy of legal name change document
  • Driver's license or identity card
  • Passport
  • Birth certificate or certificate of citizenship
• Information Needed
  • Name to be shown on new card​
  • Full name at birth
  • Other names used
  • Social Security number
  • Place of birth
  • Date of birth
  • Citizenship status
  • Ethnicity
  • Race
  • Parent/Mother's name at birth
  • Parent/Mother's social security number
  • Parent/Father's name 
  • Parent/Father's social security number
  • Phone number
  • Mailing address

External Links/Forms:

Social Security Card Application

Social Security Website

Driver's License

• Documents and Information Needed
  • Certified copy of name change petition
  • Proof that you verified your new information with the Social Security office
  • New driver's license/ID application
  • Proof of identity (must be original or certified copy)
    • Court name change document
    • Unexpired passport or passport card
    • Birth certificate
    • Unexpired foreign passport with valid U.S. visa and approved I-94 form
    • Certificate of naturalization or citizenship
    • Valid, unexpired permanent resident card
    • See here for more
  • Two proofs of California residency
    • Home utility bills (including cell phone bill)
    • Medical documents
    • Car or boat registration
    • Employment documents
    • Insurance documents
    • Mortgage bill
    • Rental or lease agreement (signed by owner and tenant)
    • IRS or California FTB tax return
    • Voter registration confirmation letter or postcard
    • See here for more
  • Proof of your true full name
    • Acceptable documents found here
  • A 10 year history record check form
    • If you have been issued a driver's license of any kind in another state or jurisdiction in the last 10 years
  • Copy of the medical examiner's certificate from the medical examiner who performed your current commercial medical examination
• Payment method for the licensing fee
  • Find more information here
• They will scan your thumbprint

Please note that the above steps are only if you want a REAL ID. If you want a non-REAL ID, you only need to provide proof of your true full name. On M

Passport

• Documents Needed
  • Form DS-11​ (or Form DS-5504 if you were issued a passport in the last year)
  • Evidence of U.S. citizenship AND a photocopy of it
  • Certified name change document
  • Valid ID AND a photocopy of it
  • One color passport photo
  • Previous passport (if applicable)
  • Payment method for application fee
• Information Needed
  • Gender​
    • You can change your gender marker regardless of what your supporting proof lists​
  • Place of birth
  • All other names used
  • Email
  • Address
  • Parental information and citizenship status
  • Marriage status/spouse information
  • Travel plan information

External Links/Forms:

Form DS-11

Form DS-5504

Travel State National Website

Birth Certificate

• Documents Needed
  • Fill out the application to amend a birth record after a court order name change
    • This application can be found here
  • Certified copy of name change document
  • Payment method
    • MUST be either check or money order made payable to CDPH Vital Records
    • The fee is $26 to amend a birth record which includes one certified copy of the newly amended record.
    • Each additional certified copy of the amended certificate are $29 each
  • Completed notarized sworn statement

Please note: the application packet includes detailed instructions with a frequently asked questions section.

Overview

The process of changing your name can be daunting. These guides are available to use as a tool to assist with making your name change as smooth as possible. If at any point during the process you come across a step that has changed, please reach out to let us know so that we can update the guide. We at Alps Creative Co. wish you all the best on your journey to legally changing your name and encourage you to reach out if you have any questions!

General Steps and Requirements

The following are the general steps required to change your name in Colorado. The process for each county may slightly differ from the steps below, so be sure to look into the specific requirements that your county/court requires. If you have any questions about the process or requirements, feel free to reach out and we are happy to help you research the specific requirements for your county!

Requirements

• Be 18 years old (if you are under 18, these steps must be completed by your legal guardians) 
• Completing and filing a petition
• Fingerprint based criminal history check (done within 90 days prior to filing name change petition)
• Certified copies of criminal dispositions (if applicable)
• Attending a court hearing (only in some counties)
• Publish a notice of the name change (unless waived by court)
  • Typically this is waived if you are a victim of child or domestic abuse or if you are changing your name to conform with your gender identity
• Note: Prior felons have different instructions as laid out in JDF 385

Information Needed

• Current full legal name (first, middle, and last)
• Requested legal name (first, middle, and last)
• Court Address
• County
• Date of birth
• Verification that you have not been convicted of a felony
• Reason you want to change your name
• Reason publication of name change is not required
  • The circumstances that can be waived are for victims of child or domestic abuse or if an individual is changing their name to conform with their gender identity
• Signature (must be signed in front of Deputy Clerk or Notary Public)
• Address
• Telephone number
• The following are only if a Publication is required
  • Publish your proposed name at least 3 times within 21 days in a newspaper of record
  • Documentation of publication from newspaper
• The following are only required if a court hearing is needed
  • Attend the hearing at the assigned date and time
  • Answer any questions the judge has

Documents Needed

• Fingerprints
  • Schedule an appointment here
• Fingerprint based criminal history check from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
  • More information here
• Fingerprint based criminal history check from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
  • More information here
• Certified copies of criminal dispositions that are not on the reports (if applicable)
• JDF 433 Petition
• JDF 427 Public Notice
  • Unless the public notice is waived by the court
  • Typically this is waived if you are a victim of child or domestic abuse or if you are changing your name to conform with your gender identity
• JDF 426 Order for Publication
  • Unless the public notice is waived by the court
  • Typically this is waived if you are a victim of child or domestic abuse or if you are changing your name to conform with your gender identity
• JDF 448 Final Decree
• Payment method for any fee
• Additional Documents
  • Guide to Adult Name Changes (Form JDF 432)
    

Legal Aid Resources

Colorado Name Change Project

Transgender Center of the Rockies

Pride Resource Center (Colorado State University)

One Colorado

Colorado LGBT Bar Association

Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition

My Name Change Petition Was Accepted. Now What?

Congratulations on your name change petition being accepted! Once your legal name has been changed, it is time to change all of your legal documents to reflect this. Be sure to get multiple certified copies of your name change at the court house because you will need them when you apply for your documents with your new legal name. See below for the general process for changing documents like your social security card, drivers license, and passport!

Social Security Card

• Documents Needed
  • Application​
  • Original Social Security card
  • Certified copy of legal name change document
  • Driver's license or identity card
  • Passport
  • Birth certificate or certificate of citizenship
• Information Needed
  • Name to be shown on new card​
  • Full name at birth
  • Other names used
  • Social Security number
  • Place of birth
  • Date of birth
  • Citizenship status
  • Ethnicity
  • Race
  • Parent/Mother's name at birth
  • Parent/Mother's social security number
  • Parent/Father's name 
  • Parent/Father's social security number
  • Phone number
  • Mailing address

External Links/Forms:

Social Security Card Application

Social Security Website

Driver's License

• Documents Needed
  • Driver's license or ID card application​/renewal
  • Previous driver's license or ID card
  • Certified court order
  • Proof of Social Security Number
    • Social security account number
    • W-2
    • Pay stub with applicant's name and SSN on it
    • You can provide your social security number verbally
  • Two proof of address documents
    • Documents
      • Computer generated bill (hospital, credit card, utility, etc.)
      • Bank statement/pre-printed pay stub
      • First class mail from a government agency or court
      • Current homeowner's or renter's insurance policy
      • Motor vehicle insurance policy/lease/rental contract
      • Motor vehicle registration
      • USPS change of address form
      • Postmarked first-class mail
    • For those who reside in a halfway house or residential treatment facility
      • letter from facility's letterhead that shows the facility's name, address, and telephone number. Must also include facility representative's name, signature, and date, and say they will accept mail for the applicant
    • For those with a rural route mail delivery address
      • Certified government-issued document showing their name and description of residences location
    • For undocumented/temporarily legal residents
      • See flyer in English
      • See flyer in Spanish
    • For applicants experiencing homelessness
      • Provide letter from government entity or non-profit on official letterhead showing the facility's name, address, and phone number. Must have legal representative's name, signature, and signature date and say "will accept delivery of mail for the customer"
    • For minors under age 21
      • Verification documents used by the parent are acceptable for use by the minor
      • License of parent counts as one document as long as the address is current
• Information Needed
  • All information on driver's license or ID card​
  • Address
    • Must identify the type of the residence (single family dwelling, apartment, motel, temporary shelter, etc.)​
  • Medical history that might impact your use of driving a vehicle
  • If you have ever held a license in another state and that ID number

Things to Note:

• You MUST apply for this within 30 days of your name change
• You must have an appointment
• Your thumbprint will be scanned
• Your picture will be taken
• There will be a vision screening (only for driver licenses and permits)
• There is a fee

External Links/Forms:

Colorado Department of Revenue Website

Passport

• Documents Needed
  • Form DS-11​ (or Form DS-5504 if you were issued a passport in the last year)
  • Evidence of U.S. citizenship AND a photocopy of it
  • Certified name change document
  • Valid ID AND a photocopy of it
  • One color passport photo
  • Previous passport (if applicable)
  • Payment method for application fee
• Information Needed
  • Gender​
    • You can change your gender marker regardless of what your supporting proof lists​
  • Place of birth
  • All other names used
  • Email
  • Address
  • Parental information and citizenship status
  • Marriage status/spouse information
  • Travel plan information

External Links/Forms:

Form DS-11

Form DS-5504

Travel State National Website

Birth Certificate

• Documents Needed
  • Birth Certificate Correction Form​
  • Copy of photo ID or passport
  • Certified name change document
  • Payment method for fees
• Information Needed
  • Incorrect information on birth certificate
  • Corrected information on birth certificate
  • Date of Birth
  • Mother/Parent's full name prior to first marriage
  • Father's/parent's name
  • Phone number
  • Email
  • Address

Things to Note:

• A fee is required and the exact cost depends on the situation. The fees are listed on the application.

External Links/Forms:

Birth Certificate Correction Application English

Birth Certificate Correction Application Spanish

Correct or Change a Birth Certificate Website

Overview

The process of changing your name can be daunting. These guides are available to use as a tool to assist with making your name change as smooth as possible. If at any point during the process you come across a step that has changed, please reach out to let us know so that we can update the guide. We at Alps Creative Co. wish you all the best on your journey to legally changing your name and encourage you to reach out if you have any questions!

General Steps and Requirements

The following are the general steps required to change your name in Illinois. The process for each county may slightly differ from the steps below, so be sure to look into the specific requirements that your county/court requires. If you have any questions about the process or requirements, feel free to reach out and we are happy to help you research the specific requirements for your county!

Requirements

• Be at least 18 years old
• Must have lived in Illinois for at least 6 months

You CAN NOT change your name if you have been convicted of the following:

• A felony
  • If you have not been pardoned
• Identity theft or aggravated identity theft
  • If you have not been pardoned
• Felony or misdemeanor
  • Criminal sexual abuse when the victim at the time is under 18 years of age
  • Sexual exploitation of a child
  • Indecent solicitation of a child
  • Indecent solicitation of an adult
  • Any other offense that requires you to register as a sex offender
  • If you have not been pardoned




PLEASE NOTE: that as of January 1, 2024, the Illinois Human Rights Act allows people who must register on the following registries are able to file a name petition if it is due to marriage, religious beliefs, status as a victim of trafficking, or gender-related identity.

Information Needed

• Current legal name
• Address
• Date of birth
• Place of birth
• Criminal history and sex offender status
• Phone number
• Email
• Information about newspaper publication (if applicable)

Documents Needed

• Request for name change
• Publication notice of court date for request for name change
  • Tells the public you are asking the court to change your name and it is published in newspaper for three weeks
  • You may file a Motion to Waive Notice & Publication for one of the following reasons:
    • You have or previously have had an order of protection, stalking no contact order, or protective order issued in someone else's criminal case
    • You are or have been a protected person under someone else's bail conditions
    • You are at risk of harm or discrimination
      • You do not have to provide evidence for hardship or discrimination that this would provide. The form does allow space to provide an explanation. Preview the form here.
• Order for name change
• Payment method for the following:
  • Filing fee
  • Publication fee
  • Certified copy fee
  • You may fill out an application for waiver of court fees found here, but this does not waive the publication fee for the newspaper
• You must e-file unless you are unable to for a reason listed on these instructions
• For your court date, you will need the following:
  • Photo ID
  • Stamped copies of request for name change, publication notice of court date for request for name change (if applicable), and certificate of publication (if applicable)
  • Proposed order for name change
  • Any other documents relating to your request

Legal Aid Resources

ACLU of Illinois

Illinois Legal Aid Online

Peoria Transgender Society

Trans Lifeline ID Change Library

My Name Change Petition Was Accepted. Now What?

Congratulations on your name change petition being accepted! Once your legal name has been changed, it is time to change all of your legal documents to reflect this. Be sure to get multiple certified copies of your name change at the court house because you will need them when you apply for your documents with your new legal name. See below for the general process for changing documents like your social security card, drivers license, and passport!

Social Security Card

• Documents Needed
  • Application​
  • Original Social Security card
  • Certified copy of legal name change document
  • Driver's license or identity card
  • Passport
  • Birth certificate or certificate of citizenship
• Information Needed
  • Name to be shown on new card​
  • Full name at birth
  • Other names used
  • Social Security number
  • Place of birth
  • Date of birth
  • Citizenship status
  • Ethnicity
  • Race
  • Parent/Mother's name at birth
  • Parent/Mother's social security number
  • Parent/Father's name 
  • Parent/Father's social security number
  • Phone number
  • Mailing address

External Links/Forms:

Social Security Card Application

Social Security Website

Driver's License

• Visit a Secretary of State facility to turn in your incorrect license/state ID and provide acceptable identification
  • Acceptable identification that proves a name change include the following
    • Court order
    • Social security card
    • Passport
    • Current driver's license/ID
    • More options can be found here under Group A




For more information, please visit the website of The Office of the Illinois Secretary of State

Passport

• Documents Needed
  • Form DS-11​ (or Form DS-5504 if you were issued a passport in the last year)
  • Evidence of U.S. citizenship AND a photocopy of it
  • Certified name change document
  • Valid ID AND a photocopy of it
  • One color passport photo
  • Previous passport (if applicable)
  • Payment method for application fee
• Information Needed
  • Gender​
    • You can change your gender marker regardless of what your supporting proof lists​
  • Place of birth
  • All other names used
  • Email
  • Address
  • Parental information and citizenship status
  • Marriage status/spouse information
  • Travel plan information

External Links/Forms:

Form DS-11

Form DS-5504

Travel State National Website

Birth Certificate

• Documents Needed
  • Fill out the State of Illinois Affidavit and Certificate of Correction Request
  • Check or money order of $15 made payable to IDPH
  • Copy of a non-expired, government issued photo ID of the person requesting the correction
  • Certified copy of court order granting name change
  • Postage to mail documents to the following address:




Illinois Department of Public Health

Division of Vital Records

925 E. Ridgely Ave.

Springfield, IL 62702-2737




If you have any questions, they say to email them at dph.vitals@illinois.gov

Overview

The process of changing your name can be daunting. These guides are available to use as a tool to assist with making your name change as smooth as possible. If at any point during the process you come across a step that has changed, please reach out to let us know so that we can update the guide. We at Alps Creative Co. wish you all the best on your journey to legally changing your name and encourage you to reach out if you have any questions!

General Steps and Requirements

The following are the general steps required to change your name in Texas. The process for each county may slightly differ from the steps below, so be sure to look into the specific requirements that your county/court requires. If you have any questions about the process or requirements, feel free to reach out and we are happy to help you research the specific requirements for your county!

Requirements

• Be 18 years old (if you are under 18, these steps must be completed by your legal guardians) 
• Completing and filing a petition
• Physician's letter 
• Fingerprint card 
• Payment of application fee OR inability to pay form 
• Attending a virtual or in-person court hearing (only in some counties)

Information Needed

• • • Current full legal name (first, middle, and last)
    • Requested legal name (first, middle, and last)
    • Court number
    • County
    • Reason you want to change your name
    • Home address
    • Social security number (if applicable)
    • Date of birth
    • Drivers license numbers from last 10 years
    • Sex listed on birth certificate
    • Name on birth certificate
    • Any prior names or aliases
    • Criminal History
    • • FBI number
      • SID number
      • Offenses
      • Case numbers
      • Court numbers
      • County
    • Are you required to register as a sex offender
    • Email address

Documents Needed

• Fingerprints on a fingerprint card (write Exhibit on the top of the fingerprint card submitted to the court)
• Driver's license (you must have all drivers license numbers used during the last 10 years)
• Social security card
• Birth certificate
• Passport
• If you have ever been charged with a class A or B misdemeanor, include:
  • Name of offense
  • Cause number
  • County
  • Court
• If you have ever been convicted of a felony, include:
  • Name of offense
  • Cause number
  • County
  • Court
  • Note: Court can't change your name if you were convicted of a felony unless you prove you were pardoned or it has been at least two years since your discharge. If this is the case, include:
    • Proof of each pardon and label as Exhibit
    • Proof it has been at least two years since discharge/completion of probation and label as Exhibit
• If you are required to register as a sex offender, attach a copy of the Sex Offender Update form and label Exhibit
• Inability to afford payment form (if applicable)
  • Income
    • Monthly Expenses
    • Assets
    • Debts
    • Detail about any public assistance you receive
• • Fingerprints on a fingerprint card (write Exhibit on the top of the fingerprint card submitted to the court

Legal Aid Resources

Gender Affirmation Project (Pride Center San Antonio)

Gender Affirmation Project (UT School of Law)

LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Project

Trans Legal Aid Clinic of Texas

Lambda Legal

My Name Change Petition Was Accepted. Now What?

Congratulations on your name change petition being accepted! Once your legal name has been changed, it is time to change all of your legal documents to reflect this. Be sure to get multiple certified copies of your name change at the court house because you will need them when you apply for your documents with your new legal name. See below for the general process for changing documents like your social security card, drivers license, and passport!

Social Security Card

• Documents Needed
  • Application​
  • Original Social Security card
  • Certified copy of legal name change document
  • Driver's license or identity card
  • Passport
  • Birth certificate or certificate of citizenship
• Information Needed
  • Name to be shown on new card​
  • Full name at birth
  • Other names used
  • Social Security number
  • Place of birth
  • Date of birth
  • Citizenship status
  • Ethnicity
  • Race
  • Parent/Mother's name at birth
  • Parent/Mother's social security number
  • Parent/Father's name 
  • Parent/Father's social security number
  • Phone number
  • Mailing address

External Links/Forms:

Social Security Card Application

Social Security Website

Driver's License

• Documents Needed
  • Driver's license or ID card application​
  • Previous driver's license or ID card
  • Certified court order
  • Passport or proof of citizenship
• Information Needed
  • All information on driver's license or ID card​
  • Address
    • Must identify the type of the residence (single family dwelling, apartment, motel, temporary shelter, etc.)​
  • Medical history that might impact your use of driving a vehicle
  • If you have ever held a license in another state and that ID number

Things to Note:

• You MUST apply for this within 30 days of your name change
• You must have an appointment
• Your thumbprint will be scanned
• Your picture will be taken
• There is a fee

External Links/Forms:

Texas Driver License Application

Texas Department of Public Safety Website

Passport

• Documents Needed
  • Form DS-11​ (or Form DS-5504 if you were issued a passport in the last year)
  • Evidence of U.S. citizenship AND a photocopy of it
  • Certified name change document
  • Valid ID AND a photocopy of it
  • One color passport photo
  • Previous passport (if applicable)
  • Payment method for application fee
• Information Needed
  • Gender​
    • You can change your gender marker regardless of what your supporting proof lists​
  • Place of birth
  • All other names used
  • Email
  • Address
  • Parental information and citizenship status
  • Marriage status/spouse information
  • Travel plan information

External Links/Forms:

Form DS-11

Form DS-5504

Travel State National Website

Birth Certificate

• Documents Needed
  • Amendment form for correcting a birth certificate​
  • Notarized signature on application
  • Copy of photo ID
  • Certified name change document
  • Payment method for fees
• Information Needed
  • Address​
  • Email
  • Birth certificate number
  • Place of birth
    • City 
    • County
  • Parent 1 and parent 2's name(s)

Things to Note:

• A fee is required and the exact cost depends on the situation
• Only use blue or black ink

External Links/Forms:

Birth Certificate Correction Application

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