Name Change to Match Gender Identity in Kentucky: Steps, Cost & Forms

Verified against Kentucky Court of Justice and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A name change to match gender identity in Kentucky is filed in the District Court (standard KRS 401.010 petition — no separate gender track), costs about $40–$120 (typical $120, varies by county), and requires no newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 2–6 weeks. You'll need the forms below and certified copies of the signed order to update your IDs.

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What it costs

Filing fee

$40–$120 (typical $120, varies by county)

Same county-variable District Court fee as any adult petition; Kentucky has no reduced or waived fee specific to gender-identity name changes. Confirm the exact filing fee with your county Circuit Court Clerk.

Court

District Court (standard KRS 401.010 petition — no separate gender track)

District Court in the county where you live (petitions are filed through the Circuit Court Clerk's office, which serves both courts)

Timeline

2–6 weeks

Step by step

1
File the standard adult petition, Form AOC-295 (Petition for Name Change), through the Circuit Court Clerk in your county — Kentucky uses the same KRS 401.010 process for everyone.
2
No newspaper publication is required, but note that the granted order is recorded and indexed as a public record by the County Clerk under KRS 401.040.
3
Obtain the signed AOC-296 order and certified copies.
4
Use the order to update Social Security, then your driver's license and US passport gender marker separately through their own processes.

Official forms

Every link goes to the official court or government host — never a paid re-host.

Form	Code	Official link
Petition for Name Change	AOC-295	Open ↗
Name Change Order	AOC-296	Open ↗

Newspaper publication: Not required — Kentucky never requires newspaper publication for a name change, so there is nothing to publish; however, there is no statutory sealing of the name-change record.

Background check: No background check

Good to know in Kentucky:

• Kentucky has no separate gender-identity name-change statute or confidential/sealed track — the general KRS 401.010 process applies and the order becomes a public record.
• Changing the gender marker on a Kentucky driver's license or birth certificate is handled separately and is subject to restrictive state rules; consult an attorney or an LGBTQ legal-aid clinic.

Then update your IDs

Once you have the signed order, update Social Security first, then your Kentucky license, then your passport and accounts.

Who to notify →Build my checklist →See my timeline →

Gender identity name change in nearby states

Louisiana →Oregon →Alabama →Oklahoma →

Name Change to Match Gender Identity in Kentucky: FAQ

How much does a name change to match gender identity cost in Kentucky?

About $40–$120 (typical $120, varies by county), filed in the District Court (standard KRS 401.010 petition — no separate gender track). Same county-variable District Court fee as any adult petition; Kentucky has no reduced or waived fee specific to gender-identity name changes. Confirm the exact filing fee with your county Circuit Court Clerk..

Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Kentucky?

No. Kentucky does not require newspaper publication for this type of name change.

Is a gender-identity name change private in Kentucky?

Kentucky never requires newspaper publication for a name change, so there is nothing to publish; however, there is no statutory sealing of the name-change record.

How long does it take in Kentucky?

Typically 2–6 weeks from filing to a signed order, then Social Security (7–10 business days), the DMV, and your passport (4–6 weeks).

What do I do after the judge signs my order in Kentucky?

Order certified copies, then update Social Security first, the DMV next, then your passport, banks, and employer. Our Who-To-Notify Checklist builds the full ordered list.

Sources

Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:

See our verification methodology and themaster source list.

Last verified July 16, 2026Reviewed by the Name Change Atlas Editorial Team against official court and .gov sources.

We're re-confirming some fee details for this state against the county court. Always confirm the exact current fee with your court clerk before you file.