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

Verified against Nebraska District Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A name change to match gender identity in Nebraska is filed in the Nebraska District Court, costs about $89–$178 (typical $144, varies by county), 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.

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What it costs

Filing fee

$89–$178 (typical $144, varies by county)

Nebraska has no separate gender-identity petition; a name change uses the standard district court civil filing fee

Court

Nebraska District Court

District Court in the county where you have lived for at least one year

Timeline

6–12 weeks

Step by step

1
File the standard adult Petition for Name Change (DC 6:9.1) with the Confidential Party Information (DC 6:9.4) in the District Court of the county where you have lived for at least one year.
2
Request a publication waiver with the Waiver of Publication form (DC 6:9.5) if newspaper publication would put your safety at risk; otherwise publish the notice for four consecutive weeks.
3
Attend the hearing and obtain the signed Decree of Name Change (DC 6:9.3).
4
Use the decree to update Social Security, then request a gender-marker change at the Nebraska DMV using a physician's certification form, and update your US passport.

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	DC 6:9.1	Open ↗
Waiver of Publication Request	DC 6:9.5	Open ↗

Newspaper publication: Required (waivable) — Nebraska uses the standard adult name-change process (publication once a week for four weeks), but transgender petitioners who could be endangered by publication may request a waiver under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-21,271 using the Waiver of Publication form (DC 6:9.5).

Background check: No background check

Good to know in Nebraska:

• There is no separate gender-identity name-change track in Nebraska; the same District Court petition is used, with publication waivable for safety.
• Changing the gender marker on a Nebraska birth certificate requires a court order plus a physician's affidavit of sex-reassignment surgery under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-604.01; the DMV gender marker requires a signed medical certification form.

Then update your IDs

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

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

Gender identity name change in nearby states

New Mexico →Idaho →Kansas →West Virginia →

Name Change to Match Gender Identity in Nebraska: FAQ

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

About $89–$178 (typical $144, varies by county), filed in the Nebraska District Court. Nebraska has no separate gender-identity petition; a name change uses the standard district court civil filing fee.

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

Usually, but it can be waived. Nebraska uses the standard adult name-change process (publication once a week for four weeks), but transgender petitioners who could be endangered by publication may request a waiver under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-21,271 using the Waiver of Publication form (DC 6:9.5).

Is a gender-identity name change private in Nebraska?

Nebraska uses the standard adult name-change process (publication once a week for four weeks), but transgender petitioners who could be endangered by publication may request a waiver under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-21,271 using the Waiver of Publication form (DC 6:9.5).

How long does it take in Nebraska?

Typically 6–12 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 Nebraska?

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.