provided by Cassandra Erica Leo

Despite best efforts, some information may be out of date. Please report inaccuracies to namechangeCA@notsocheezy.com with the subject line, "Name Change Information Update".

Certain information here applies to all California residents, while others apply to those born in California. Be advised that your birth certificate must be reissued from the government of the place you were born, which unfortunately may not always be possible.

1. Court Order (updated 2026)

   1. Find the address of your local superior court and file via web, mail, or in person:

      1. Fee Waiver (FW-001; sections 1, 2, and 3 of FW-003) if you qualify. If you do, request 10+ Certified Copies on the day of your hearing - once you leave the courthouse, these become pricey.

      2. Nowadays, the California court system has a handy guide for folks who want to get their names and genders updated, including special cases like updating your child's birth certificate or your marriage license. In general, the forms adults need to fill out are CM-010, NC-110, NC-125, NC-300, and NC-330. Unless specified as "proposed name" in a given field, you'll have to write your legal name - but at least they can be filled in via your web browser.

   2. For extra help, visit www.transgenderlawcenter.org and their (very long) reference document.

   3. Though California offers the 'X' gender marker, it's federally problematic. The Trump Administration refuses to offer passports featuring an 'X'. If you desire consistency and stealth, avoid it for the time being.

   4. Generally, in person hearings are no longer required, but you may need to attend the courthouse to collect Certified Copies of your court order depending on the court in question's policy. You'll need at least five of those, so don't leave without them.

2. Birth Certificate at Dept of Vital Records (Ideally do so immediately following receipt of court order) (updated 2026)

   1. Mail to:

CDPH – Vital Records

MS 5105

P.O. Box 997410

Sacramento, CA 95899-7410

Phone: 916-445-2684

Website: www.cdph.ca.gov

2. 2. VS-24B (Signature of First Person field can be your new name. Second Person field is not required for this purpose. See page 7 for details.)

   3. Certified Copy of Court Order

   4. Check for $26 addressed to CDPH Vital Records

   5. Photocopy of Deadname Birth Certificate (optional, and do not send original, you will not get it back)

   6. Notarized Sworn Statement (see final page of VS-24B linked above)

3. Social Security Administration (Ideally do so within days following receipt of court order) (updated 2022)

   1. Find the address of your local SSA office and walk in. There are no appointments.

   2. SS-5

   3. Original Birth Certificate

   4. Deadname ID

   5. Certified Copy of Court Order

4. DMV (Requires SSA. Do it when you have a whole day to spare. Ugh.) (updated 2026)

   1. Visit local DMV with appointment (if possible). Luckily, this will also update your voter registration (don't forget to vote!)

   2. DL-44 (Online)

   3. DL-329S (Request it be stamped and signed)

   4. Certified Copy of Court Order

   5. $28😕

   6. Previous license (Must be surrendered upon receipt of replacement)

   7. To also get your REAL ID

      1. Birth Certificate (Deadname or Updated)

      2. SSN Card (Updated)

      3. One additional proof of residence address (see the REAL ID Checklist)

   8. Vehicle Registration

      1. Certificate of Title for your vehicle with your full correct name printed or typed in the “New Registered Owner” section. Use REG-227 instead if the title is missing.

      2. REG-256

5. Passport (Within a year if you had a passport before, otherwise before you travel abroad.) (updated 2022 - These days your only hope is that you didn't have one before so they don't know who you are. Don't include anything but updated documents and certainly not your court order, otherwise you're in for a bad time. Possibly misgendering, possibly outright denial. Tell them as little as possible... like the police.)

   1. Make an appointment at your local United States Post Office (or occasionally, a public library)

   2. DS-11

   3. Certified Copy of Court Order (May not be needed with updated documents if you never had a passport under your deadname.)

   4. 2"x2" photo of you meeting the guidelines

   5. Birth Certificate (Original or Updated)

   6. ID (Original or Updated)

   7. Check or money order worth way too much money.

6. Financial Institutions (Banks, Loan Providers, etc.) (ASAP)

7. Insurance providers (ASAP)

8. Landlord/House Deed (ASAP)

9. Utility companies (When convenient)

10. Selective Service (AMAB only - you are 'legally' required to notify SSS of changes)

    1. SSS Form 2

    2. Certified Copy of Court Order

11. Reissuance of any past diploma (When convenient)