Name Change to Match Gender Identity in North Carolina: Steps, Cost & Forms
Verified against North Carolina Superior Court (Clerk of Superior Court, Special Proceedings) and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.
A name change to match gender identity in North Carolina is filed in the Clerk of Superior Court, Special Proceedings (county of residence), costs about $120, and requires a newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 4–10 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
A name change tied to gender identity uses the same $120 adult special-proceeding process; North Carolina has no separate reduced-fee or waiver track for it.
Clerk of Superior Court (Special Proceedings Division) in the county where you live
Step by step
- 1
Complete the standard adult name change: post the Notice of Intent (AOC-SP-601), get the SBI/FBI background checks, and gather two Affidavits of Good Character (AOC-SP-607).
- 2
File Form AOC-SP-604 (Application for Adult Name Change) with the Clerk of Superior Court and pay the $120 fee; there is no gender-specific court form in North Carolina.
- 3
Receive the signed Order on Application for Adult Name Change (AOC-SP-609) and order certified copies.
- 4
Change your gender marker separately: use NC DMV Form DL-300 (Sex Designation) for your license and submit a Birth Certificate Modification Application to NC Vital Records for your birth record.
Official forms
Every link goes to the official court or government host — never a paid re-host.
- • Unlike some states, North Carolina does not seal or waive publication for gender-related name changes, and the criminal background check still applies.
- • The legal name change and the gender-marker updates on your driver's license and birth certificate are three separate filings handled by the court, the DMV, and Vital Records.
Then update your IDs
Once you have the signed order, update Social Security first, then your North Carolina license, then your passport and accounts.
Gender identity name change in nearby states
Name Change to Match Gender Identity in North Carolina: FAQ
How much does a name change to match gender identity cost in North Carolina?
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in North Carolina?
Is a gender-identity name change private in North Carolina?
How long does it take in North Carolina?
What do I do after the judge signs my order in North Carolina?
Sources
Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:
- www.nccourts.gov/documents/forms/application-for-adult-name-change
- www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/civil-and-small-claims/name-changes
- www.ncdot.gov/dmv
See our verification methodology and themaster source list.