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

Verified against New York Supreme Court / County Court (NYC Civil Court) and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A name change to match gender identity in New York is filed in the Supreme or County Court (NYC Civil Court in New York City), costs about $210, and requires a newspaper notice unless it's waived. Most cases finish in 4–12 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
$210

Same fees as an adult name change; the name change and sex-designation change can be filed together or separately

Court
Supreme or County Court (NYC Civil Court in New York City)

Supreme or County Court in the county where you live (in New York City, any NYC Civil Court)

Timeline
4–12 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    Use the combined Name and/or Sex Designation Change petition — transgender and nonbinary New Yorkers can change name, sex designation, or both in one filing.

  2. 2

    If you have personal-safety concerns, ask the court to seal the record and waive publication under Civil Rights Law § 64-a; domestic-violence applicants can have the request sealed immediately under § 64-a(2).

  3. 3

    File with the Supreme/County Court (or NYC Civil Court) and obtain the signed order.

  4. 4

    Use certified copies of the order to update Social Security, the NY DMV sex designation, and your US passport.

Official forms

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

FormCodeOfficial link
Name/Sex Designation Change Petition — Individual Adult—Open ↗
Privacy and sealing under Civil Rights Law § 64-a—Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Required (waivable) — New York explicitly allows waiving publication and sealing the record for personal-safety concerns under Civil Rights Law § 64-a — the provision most gender-identity applicants use.
Background check: No background check
Good to know in New York:
  • • The same forms cover a name change and a sex-designation change — file them together or on their own.
  • • Civil Rights Law § 64-a lets the court waive newspaper publication and seal the record when publication would jeopardize the applicant's safety.

Then update your IDs

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

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

Gender identity name change in nearby states

Florida →Pennsylvania →Texas →Illinois →

Name Change to Match Gender Identity in New York: FAQ

How much does a name change to match gender identity cost in New York?
About $210, filed in the Supreme or County Court (NYC Civil Court in New York City). Same fees as an adult name change; the name change and sex-designation change can be filed together or separately.
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in New York?
Usually, but it can be waived. New York explicitly allows waiving publication and sealing the record for personal-safety concerns under Civil Rights Law § 64-a — the provision most gender-identity applicants use.
Is a gender-identity name change private in New York?
New York explicitly allows waiving publication and sealing the record for personal-safety concerns under Civil Rights Law § 64-a — the provision most gender-identity applicants use.
How long does it take in New York?
Typically 4–12 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 New York?
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.