California Courts: Self-Help Center: More Topics: How to Change Your Name or Your Gender: Changing Your Name and/or Gender: How Do I Change My Name and Gender?

There are forms specifically for changing your name and gender. Click here for the forms to change your name and gender.

Generally, to get a court order changing your name and gender, you have to:

Fill out the Petition for Change of Name and Gender (Form NC-200) and the Attachment to Petition for Change of Name (Form NC-110) and make 2 copies of each.
Fill out the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name and Gender (Form NC-220) and make two copies.
Fill out the Civil Case Cover Sheet (Form CM-010)
Have your doctor fill out an affidavit telling the court that you have undergone gender reassignment surgery. Your doctor can use Form NC-210 or write out his/her own declaration.
File all the forms and copies in the court in the county where you live.
Publish the Order to Show Cause in a newspaper of general circulation once per week for 4 weeks in a row—ask your court for a list of newspapers. Not all newspapers are valid, and the fees they charge are different, so call around.
Go to your court date and take the proof of publication from the newspaper. You will also need the Decree Changing Name and Gender (Form NC-230) for the judge to sign.
Once you get your Decree Changing Name and Gender, get a certified copy from the court. You will need this to change your birth certificate, driver's license, social security card, and other papers like your passport.

Last modified: 03/17/2008