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

Verified against Virginia Circuit Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A name change to match gender identity in Virginia is filed in the Circuit Court, costs about $30–$50 (typical $41, varies by county), and requires no newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 2–8 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.

Free · no signup

What it costs

Filing fee

$30–$50 (typical $41, varies by county)

Virginia uses the standard adult name-change application (CC-1411); the local filing fee is about $41 and varies by locality

Court

Circuit Court

Circuit Court in the county or city where you live

Timeline

2–8 weeks

Step by step

1
Complete the standard adult Form CC-1411 (Application for Change of Name); Virginia does not have a separate gender-identity name-change form.
2
If publication or an open record would put your safety at risk, ask the court to seal the record and close the proceeding under Virginia Code § 8.01-217.
3
File the notarized CC-1411 with the proposed order (CC-1429) at the Circuit Court where you live and pay the filing fee; a judge reviews and signs the order, often without a hearing.
4
Use certified copies of the signed order to update Social Security, then the Virginia DMV sex designation, and your US passport.

Official forms

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

Form	Code	Official link
Application for Change of Name (Adult)	CC-1411	Open ↗
Order for Change of Name (Adult)	CC-1429	Open ↗

Newspaper publication: Not required — Virginia does not require newspaper publication for a name change, and under Virginia Code § 8.01-217 the court may order the file sealed and the hearing closed where publication or disclosure would jeopardize the applicant's safety.

Background check: No background check

Good to know in Virginia:

• No newspaper publication is required, and the court can seal the file for safety under Virginia Code § 8.01-217.
• The name change and the DMV sex-designation update are separate steps; complete the court name change first, then update the DMV record.

Then update your IDs

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

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

Gender identity name change in nearby states

New Jersey →Washington →Michigan →Arizona →

Name Change to Match Gender Identity in Virginia: FAQ

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

About $30–$50 (typical $41, varies by county), filed in the Circuit Court. Virginia uses the standard adult name-change application (CC-1411); the local filing fee is about $41 and varies by locality.

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

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

Is a gender-identity name change private in Virginia?

Virginia does not require newspaper publication for a name change, and under Virginia Code § 8.01-217 the court may order the file sealed and the hearing closed where publication or disclosure would jeopardize the applicant's safety.

How long does it take in Virginia?

Typically 2–8 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 Virginia?

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.