provided by Cassandra Erica Leo

Updated 7/29/22. Despite best efforts, some information may be out of date.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. Find the address of your local superior court and e-file.

   1. Find the address of your local superior court and e-file.

   2. Fee Waiver (FW-001, FW-003) if you qualify. If you do, request 10+ Certified Copies on the day of your hearing, as they are $25 each afterwards.

   3. NC-200, NC-110, NC-125/NC-225, NC-230, CM-010

   4. "Ask the court clerk to obtain a judge's signature on the Order to Show Cause, then file the original order in the clerk's office and obtain filed-endorsed copies of the order."

   5. If challenged, cite SB-179 (Gender Recognition Act)

   6. For help filling forms, visit www.transgenderlawcenter.org. Many can be done via PDF, meaning you only have to type your deadname a minimum amount of times. As a general rule, the deadname is used unless specified.

   7. Reportedly, in person hearings are no longer required for name and gender changes. YMMV

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

   1. Mail to:

California Department of Public Health

Vital Records – M.S. 5103

P.O. Box 997410

Sacramento, CA 95899-7410

Phone: 916-445-2684

Website: www.cdph.ca.gov

2. 2. VS-24 (Signature of First Person field can be your new name, but the second person must be someone else)

   3. Certified Copy of Court Order

   4. Check for $26 addressed to CDPH Vital Records

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

   6. Notarized Sworn Statement (on page 5 here)

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

   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.)

   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.)

   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)

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, and only if you really think you'll be the first in 20 years to be arrested for not doing it)

    1. SSS Form 2

    2. Certified Copy of Court Order

11. Reissuance of any past diploma (When convenient)