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

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

Quick answer

A name change to match gender identity in West Virginia is filed in the Circuit Court or Family Court, costs about $200, and sometimes requires a newspaper notice. 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
$200

Same $200 civil filing fee as any adult name-change petition; West Virginia has no separate gender-identity name-change fee

Court
Circuit Court or Family Court

Circuit Court or Family Court in the county where you live

Timeline
6–12 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    Prepare a verified Petition for Change of Name under West Virginia Code § 48-25-101; West Virginia does not have a separate gender-identity name-change form, so use the standard adult petition.

  2. 2

    If publication or an open record would put your safety at risk, ask the court in advance for a closed hearing and to seal the record for good cause before you arrange any publication.

  3. 3

    File the petition with the Circuit Court (or Family Court) clerk, pay the $200 fee (or file the fee waiver Form SCA-C&M201), publish as directed unless the court restricts it, and attend the hearing.

  4. 4

    Use certified copies of the signed order to update Social Security, then the West 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.

FormCodeOfficial link
Financial Affidavit and Application for Waiver of Fees, Costs, or SecuritySCA-C&M201Open ↗
Court Forms — West Virginia Judiciary—Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Sometimes — West Virginia Code § 48-25-101 normally requires a Class I legal advertisement, but on good cause shown — such as a safety concern — you may ask the court to hold a closed hearing and to seal the record; ask the clerk how to request this before you publish.
Background check: No background check
Good to know in West Virginia:
  • • The court may hold a closed hearing and seal the file for safety on good cause shown under West Virginia Code § 48-25-101.
  • • 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 West Virginia license, then your passport and accounts.

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

Gender identity name change in nearby states

Idaho →Hawaii →Nebraska →New Hampshire →

Name Change to Match Gender Identity in West Virginia: FAQ

How much does a name change to match gender identity cost in West Virginia?
About $200, filed in the Circuit Court or Family Court. Same $200 civil filing fee as any adult name-change petition; West Virginia has no separate gender-identity name-change fee.
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in West Virginia?
Sometimes — it depends on your court. Ask the clerk when you file.
Is a gender-identity name change private in West Virginia?
West Virginia Code § 48-25-101 normally requires a Class I legal advertisement, but on good cause shown — such as a safety concern — you may ask the court to hold a closed hearing and to seal the record; ask the clerk how to request this before you publish.
How long does it take in West Virginia?
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 West 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.