Legal Name & Gender Marker Change Support
Stonewall provides peer support throughout the navigation of name and gender marker change legal process. Stonewall coordinators are not legal experts.
Before you begin…
California Identification Documents
You don't need a court order to update the gender marker on your:
California Birth certificate
California Marriage certificate, if your marital partner agrees
California driver's license
Out-of-state Birth Certificates
You may need a court order to receive an updated birth certificate.
How to start the process:
#1: Request a Court Decree
Fill out the court decree. People of any age can apply for a legal name and/or gender-marker change in California, even foster youth!
If you are under 18, you will need either all living parents/guardians to sign your forms or will need to provide additional documentation.
If you have a parent/guardian who refuses
For a court order, you do not need any letters from doctors or therapists, you don’t need to publicize, and in most cases, you don’t need a court hearing
(You can seek legal support from lsnc.net if a Court does not respect these rights.)
IMPORTANT PRINT 2 COPIES AND SUBMIT BOTH
For Adults
For Adults Requesting Name and Gender Marker Change
May be applicable for some people:
If you want to change your information on your child's birth certificate, fill out Birth Certificate for Child of Petitioner–Attachment (form NC-311) .
Marriage License and Certificate–Attachment (form NC-312) and attach it to form NC-300.
If your spouse did not sign form NC-312, also fill out Order to Show Cause–Issuance of New Marriage License and Certificate (form NC-325)
For Adults Requesting Name Change Only
For Adults requesting only name change may need to publish into the newspaper and may need to go to a hearing.
Name and Information about the Person Whose Name is to be Changed (form NC-110) (and attach it to the NC-100)
Decree Changing Name (form NC-130) (fill out the boxes at the top and Item 3)
For Minors
For Minors Requesting Name Change Only
May be applicable for some people: If 1 parent/guardian will not sign the petition:
Order to Show Cause—Change of Name to Conform to Gender Identity (form NC-225)(only fill this out if you check item 4 Minor with absentee parent on form NC-200)
Fee Waivers:
The costs for filing for a court decree can range from $435-$450. If you receive any public benefits, including SSI, Unemployment, SNAP or Medi-Cal, you may be able to waive some or all court costs.
For Minors Requesting both Name and Gender Marker Change
Check the box that says "and change of name" at the top. Two parents must sign.
Also complete the following document if 1 parent/guardian will not sign the petition:
#2 Pick Up the Court Decree
It takes 6+ weeks to get your official court decree back from the court after submitting the forms. You will receive two official court orders.
With these two court decrees you can begin the process of obtaining birth certificate, social security card and drivers license.
Birth Certificate
Name Change and Gender marker change on Birth certificate requires VS248 and a the Court Decree. VS24B last page must be notarized before mailing both birth certificate forms and court decree.
Name Change ONLY on Birth Certificate requires VS23 form last page must be notarized before mailing both birth certificate forms and court decree.
You will need to mail it to: California Department of Public Health. WDO NOT SEND CASH.
CDPH - Vital Records MS 5105 P.O. Box 997410 Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
You will not be receiving the court decree back when mailing. Within 4.5 weeks you will receive a new birth certificate in the mail.
#3 Update Your Documents: Birth Certificate, Social Security, Drivers License and More!
If you only have one court decree copy, the last step will be requesting a birth certificate. You do not need birth certificate to change name on Drivers License or Social security card, you may use your court decree to change those forms.
Social Security Card
Social Security Card requires filling out SS-5 and requires the court decree.
You can change your legal name on your social security card in every state, and you will keep the same social security number! You just need the official court order, two forms of identification, and a completed Social Security Card Application (SS-5).
Drivers License
While waiting you can change your legal name and gender-marker on your State Driver’s License.
If you want to change only your gender-marker, you can do this without a court order anytime by completing the form below!
Health Insurance, School records, bank accounts, and more!
Once you have your official court order, you can start changing the name and gender on file for you in all the different parts of your life.
Note: In the State of California, you have the right to be called by your preferred name and pronouns in school, at work, and by your landlord - even without any legal changes.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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The court decree costs $435, luckily there are fee waivers that make the court decree free if you qualify for the following:
Food Stamps, Medi-Cal, County Relief/ General Assistance, CALWorks or Tribal TANF , IHSS, CPI
For a California birth certificate $28.
Social Security Card is free.
Drivers license $45.
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You can still get the Court Decree in California. Birth Certificate depends on the State. Each State has different forms needed to file. Some of the following may be required:
Potential of filling out a form without notary
May send copies of other documents such as
Driver’s License or Identification Card, Passport Card Military Identification Card with both picture and signature
May need letter from physician and/or therapist
Fees maybe different depending on the state
Contact Stonewall for questions about the process and help completing your forms.
This message will go go Blue (he/him), our TGNC Program Coordinator or Max (he/him) our Education and Advocacy Coordinator.
Let him know a bit about your situation (where you are in the process,
how you want to be contacted, etc.), and he’ll get back to you
with more info and/or to schedule an appointment!
More Resources:
Born Outside California. Find birth certificate forms for the state your birth certificate is from through A4TE: Advocates for Trans Equality.