Name change in California

These are the steps most people follow for a name change in California, in order. Each links to its official source and the date we last checked it. When you're ready, build a personalized checklist that covers every document at once.

This is general information, not legal advice. Requirements change, so always confirm with the official source linked on each step, and talk to a lawyer or legal-aid organization about your specific situation.

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1. Step 1: Get a court order for your name change

   Mark done

   Needs reverification, so we don't show it as current.

   📝 Get the official form: Form NC-200 — Petition for Change of Name to Conform to Gender Identity

   Check these official pages yourself

   We have not re-checked these pages recently, so we are not showing what they said. These are the official pages themselves. Read them directly.

   • California Courts Self-Help — Change Your Name — recorded 2026-07-13 · not yet verified by a named reviewer
   • California Courts — Petition for Change of Name to Conform to Gender Identity (NC-200) — recorded 2026-07-13 · not yet verified by a named reviewer

2. Step 2: Update your Social Security record

   Mark done

   Do first: Court order

   Needs reverification, so we don't show it as current.

   📝 Get the official form: Form SS-5 — Application for a Social Security Card

   Check these official pages yourself

   We have not re-checked these pages recently, so we are not showing what they said. These are the official pages themselves. Read them directly.

   • SSA Program Operations Manual System (POMS) RM 10212.001 — Defining the Legal Name for an SSN — recorded 2026-07-13 · not yet verified by a named reviewer

3. Step 3: Update your driver's license or state ID

   Mark done

   Do first: Court order

   Needs reverification, so we don't show it as current.

   Check these official pages yourself

   We have not re-checked these pages recently, so we are not showing what they said. These are the official pages themselves. Read them directly.

   • California DMV — Update Information on Your Driver's License or ID Card — recorded 2026-07-13 · not yet verified by a named reviewer

4. Step 4: Update your U.S. passport

   Mark done

   Do first: Court order

   Needs reverification, so we don't show it as current.

   📝 Get the official form: Form DS-82 — U.S. Passport Renewal

   Check these official pages yourself

   We have not re-checked these pages recently, so we are not showing what they said. These are the official pages themselves. Read them directly.

   • U.S. Department of State — Change or Correct a Passport — recorded 2026-07-13 · not yet verified by a named reviewer We cannot check this source automatically for changes. Check it yourself before you file.

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