INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILING A PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME AND GENDER
Where to File
The petition for change of name and gender must be filed in the superior court in the county where the petitioner is a resident.
1.
2.
Whose Name May Be Changed
The petition may be used to change your name and to obtain a court order recognizing a change of gender and for issuance of a
new birth certificate, if you are 18 or older. (Minors must use form NC-500.) If you were born in California, you may file the order
with the State Registrar and obtain a new birth certificate.
3.
Petition for Change of Name, Recognition of Change of Gender, and Issuance of New Birth Certificate (form NC-200)
Order to Show Cause for Change of Name to Conform to Gender Identity (form NC-125/NC-225)
Decree Changing Name and Order Recognizing Change of Gender Identity and for Issuance of New Birth Certificate
(form NC-230)
Court Hearing
If no objections are filed, the court will grant the petition without a hearing. A hearing date will be set if timely objections have been
filed. If there is a hearing, you will be sent a notice by the court. You may also check with the court after the deadline to see if a
hearing date has been set. Bring copies of all documents to the hearing. If the judge grants the name and gender change petition,
the judge will sign the original decree.
Birth Certificate
If you were born in California, to obtain a new birth certificate reflecting the change of gender, file a certified copy of the order within
30 days with the Secretary of State and the State Registrar and pay the applicable fees. You may write or contact the State
Registrar at:
Local courts may supplement these instructions. Check with the court to determine whether supplemental information is available.
For instance, the court may provide you with additional written information identifying the department that handles name and
gender change petitions, and the times when petitions are heard.
NC-200 [Rev. September 1, 2018] Page 2 of 2
What Forms Are Required
You need an original and two copies of each of the following documents:
a.
b.
Name and Information About the Person Whose Name Is to Be Changed (Attachment to Petition) (form NC-110)
c.
d.
4. Filing and Filing Fee
Prepare an original Civil Case Cover Sheet (form CM-010). File the original petition and Civil Case Cover Sheet with the clerk of
the court and obtain two filed-endorsed copies of the petition. A filing fee will be charged unless you qualify for a fee waiver. (If you
want to apply for a fee waiver, see Request to Waive Court Fees (form FW-001) and Information Sheet on Waiver of Superior
Court Fees and Costs (form FW-001–INFO).)
5. Filing the Order to Show Cause
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.
6. Domestic Violence Confidentiality Program
In cases where the petitioner is a participant in the state address confidentiality program (Safe at Home), the petition, the order to
show cause, and the decree should, instead of giving the proposed name, indicate that the name is confidential and on file with the
Secretary of State. See Information Sheet for Name Change Proceedings Under Address Confidentiality Program (Safe at Home)
(form NC-400-INFO).
7.
8.
PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME, RECOGNITION OF CHANGE
OF GENDER, AND ISSUANCE OF NEW BIRTH CERTIFICATE
California Department of Public Health
Vital Records
– MS 5103
P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
Phone: 916-445-2684
Website: www.cdph.ca.gov
Civil Case Cover Sheet (form CM-010)
e.
NC-200
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