Name Change to Match Gender Identity in Indiana: Steps, Cost & Forms
Verified against Indiana Circuit Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.
A name change to match gender identity in Indiana is filed in the Circuit or Superior Court (civil miscellaneous / MI case), costs about $157, and requires a newspaper notice unless it's waived. Most cases finish in 6–12 weeks. You'll need the forms below and certified copies of the signed order to update your IDs.
Your personalized plan
Pick your state and situation for your exact filing fee, court, forms, and ordered steps.
What it costs
Indiana has no separate gender-conforming name statute; the name change uses the standard $157 civil petition and a gender-marker change can be added in the same case. Confirm the exact fee with your county court clerk.
Circuit Court (or Superior Court) in the county where you live
Step by step
- 1
Indiana has no separate gender-conforming name process — use the standard adult name-change procedure under Indiana Code 34-28-2 and add a Petition for Change of Gender Marker in the same case using the Adult Name and Gender Marker Change packet.
- 2
File in the Circuit or Superior Court of your county; if publication or a public hearing would endanger you, file a motion asking the court to waive publication and seal the record for your safety.
- 3
Pay the $157 filing fee (or request a waiver), publish notice for three consecutive weeks unless the court waives it, and file the newspaper's affidavit as proof of publication.
- 4
Attend the hearing and obtain the certified order changing your name and gender marker (if a felony conviction within 10 years applies, complete the fingerprint and law-enforcement notice steps first).
- 5
Use the certified order to update Social Security (SS-5), the Indiana BMV gender marker, your Indiana birth certificate through the Department of Health Vital Records, and your US passport.
Official forms
Every link goes to the official court or government host — never a paid re-host.
- • Publication can be waived and the record sealed for safety, but this is decided by the judge — it is not automatic.
- • You can change your name and gender marker in the same court case using the combined Adult Name and Gender Marker Change packet.
- • The felony-within-10-years fingerprint and law-enforcement notice requirements apply to the name-change portion the same as any adult petition.
Then update your IDs
Once you have the signed order, update Social Security first, then your Indiana license, then your passport and accounts.
Gender identity name change in nearby states
Name Change to Match Gender Identity in Indiana: FAQ
How much does a name change to match gender identity cost in Indiana?
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Indiana?
Is a gender-identity name change private in Indiana?
How long does it take in Indiana?
What do I do after the judge signs my order in Indiana?
Sources
Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:
- www.in.gov/courts/selfservice
- www.in.gov/bmv/licenses-permits-ids/learners-permits-and-drivers-licenses-overview/drivers-license/amending-your-drivers-license-or-identification-card
See our verification methodology and themaster source list.