{"id":354798,"date":"2022-06-14T22:22:17","date_gmt":"2022-06-15T03:22:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/lgbtq-law\/how-to-change-your-name-and-gender-marker-if-you-are-under-18.html"},"modified":"2022-08-24T12:57:33","modified_gmt":"2022-08-24T17:57:33","slug":"how-to-change-your-name-and-gender-marker-if-you-are-under-18","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/lgbtq-law\/how-to-change-your-name-and-gender-marker-if-you-are-under-18.html","title":{"rendered":"How to Change Your Name and Gender Marker If You Are Under 18"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How to Change Your Name and Gender Marker If You Are a Minor<\/h1>\n\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Are you a minor \u2014 or the parent\/guardian of a minor \u2014 who is in the process of a transitioning their gender identity or who identifies as non-binary\/intersex\/gender non-conforming? If so, you may want to know how to legally change your name and gender marker on your government documents. This overview will help you understand the general steps to change both in your state.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

It is important to note that the steps for transgender people vary on a state-by-state basis and, in some states, a county-by-county basis.<\/p>\n

To change your name and amend your driver’s license\/ID,\u00a0follow the process in the state where you live.<\/p>\n

To get an amended birth certificate,\u00a0follow the process in the state where you were born.<\/p>\n

To change your passport to reflect the correct sex designation,\u00a0follow the process implemented by the federal government for\u00a0name changes<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0gender markers<\/a>, and make sure you have a legal parent\/guardian helping you.<\/p>\n

In some states, you can also change your gender marker at the same time as your name.<\/p>\n

Change of Name<\/h2>\n

To obtain a court-ordered name change, you’ll have to file an application in the state where you live. In most states, you’ll need at least one parent\/legal guardian to file the application. This application may go by different names, depending on where you are, but it is most commonly referred to as a petition for a change of name. You sign a supporting affidavit and other documents attesting to proof of identity under penalty of perjury, so you need to provide truthful information on the application.<\/p>\n

You’ll be required to pay a filing fee to the court clerk, but you have the option to request a fee waiver if you can’t afford it. There may be a publication requirement and\/or hearing requirement in your state, so you may want to ask if the requirements can be waived or request that your case be sealed if you have privacy or safety concerns. You may be able to use a P.O. box instead of providing an address as well.<\/p>\n

Note: It is important to check whether your county has specific name change requirements for minors as laws and requirements vary by state.<\/i><\/p>\n

What Happens After You Get a Court Order?<\/h2>\n

After obtaining a name change order from the probate court, you’ll want to update your name on all your other government identification documents. As a minor, this most likely will include the following documents:<\/p>\n