How to Easily Change Your Name and Gender Marker in North Carolina

Changing your name and gender marker on official legal documents can feel daunting, and the complexity of the process may discourage you from making the updates you need to your legal identity. To help you navigate this process, we’ve outlined the steps for changing your name and gender marker on key legal documents below.

I. CHANGING YOUR LEGAL NAME IN NORTH CAROLINA:

To change your legal name, you will have to submit an application to your county’s Clerk of Superior Court.

To make the process easy for you to follow, we have created a list of items you need to prepare and checklists for you to follow. Once you complete the following steps, the Clerk of Superior Court will inform the State Registrar’s Office and the State’s Department of Public Safety of your new name.

Prepare your Application:

Download this packet, which includes the following required forms:

1. Notice of Intent to Change Name (for adults)
2. Application for Adult Name Change
3. Affidavit of Good Character (2 copies)
4. Fingerprint card FD-258

Complete your Application:

1. You’ll need to complete each form and get them notarized as required. Be sure not to sign them until you’re with a notary, or you’ll have to do them again.
2. Your local bank may be able to notarize these for you, but you should call ahead and ask.
3. For the Affidavits of Good Character, get two people NOT RELATED TO YOU who live in the same county as you to attest to your good standing in the community. They’ll need to go to the notary with you.
4. Obtain a background check by BOTH the FBI and the SBI (these must be submitted to the court within 90 days of the background check date).
   • The FBI may take up to 14 weeks to process your file. You can also go through an FBI-approved company to expedite the process. Download or print a copy of our List of FBI-approved channelers.
   • You will also have to have your fingerprints taken by your local Sheriff for $10. BEFORE going to the Sheriff’s office, fill out and print an FD-258 card to bring to the sheriff’s office. The FD-258 card can be found here.
   • Submit a request for a background check by the SBI here (the background check costs $14).
   • Submit a request for a background check by the FBI here (the background check through the FBI costs $18) or through an FBI-approved channel partner on the list provided.

Once you’ve completed everything above, you’re ready to submit your application.

Submit your Application:

1. After you have filled out all your forms and received your background checks, take your Notice of Intent to Change Name to the Clerk of Superior Court located in the courthouse of the county where you live.
2. Wait 10 consecutive calendar days (the countdown starts the day after you file your form).
3. After the 10 days are up, submit the rest of your documents, including:
   • Your 1 “Application for Adult Name Change, which includes your Affidavit Regarding Outstanding Tax or Child Support Obligations”
   • Your 2 “Affidavits of Character”
   • Your SBI background check
   • Your FBI or FBI-approved company background check
4. Once approved, request certified copies of the court order granting the name change for your records at the clerk’s office.

Congratulations on your name change! Don’t stop here.

II. AMENDING YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY CARD

Once you have changed your name, you can update your social security card. While we all know you by name, the government knows you by your social security number. Updating your social security card is a critical step required to change your name and gender on other government forms, including your driver’s license. To make this essential process easier for you, we have outlined the steps you need to take to amend your card:

1. Make an appointment to meet with a Social Security Representative.
2. Prepare the following documents:
   • Proof of identity may include a valid US driver’s license, a state-issued non-driver identification card, or a US passport.
   • Proof of citizenship, which may include US birth certificates or US passports. If you are not a US citizen, you may provide a lawful permanent resident card or visa AND an unexpired passport instead.
3. Complete the application for a social security card, update your name, and mark your preferred sex designation (the form does not currently offer non-binary options).
   • The form may be found here.
4. Take your completed application and evidence documents to your local Social Security office or Social Security Card Center.
   • All documents must either be originals or copies certified by the issuing agency.
     Photocopies or notarized copies will not be accepted.

III. CHANGING YOUR NAME & GENDER ON YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE/ID’S

Once the Clerk of Superior Court approves your name change in part I, you must update the DMV of the change within 60 days of the clerk’s approval. Before you can update the DMV, make sure you amended your social security card following the steps described in part II, “Amending Your Social Security Card,” listed above. Once you have updated your social security card, follow the checklist below to update your driver’s license. At this time, the DMV only offers Male/Female designations.

Name Changes:

1. Make an appointment with the DMV (you can also change your gender during the same appointment).
2. Bring your certified copy of the order to change your name from the clerk of the court obtained when you changed your name in court.
3. Fill out this form in front of a licensed notary and have it notarized (your local bank may be able to notarize these documents), and bring it to your appointment.
4. The DMV clerk will update your name on your license.

Gender Changes:

1. Make an appointment with the DMV (you can also change your name during the same appointment).
2. Fill out a DL-300 Sex Designation Form found under “Personal Information” on this website.
   • This form must be completed by a physician, psychiatrist, physician’s assistant, licensed therapist, counselor, psychologist, case worker, or social worker.
   • THIS FORM IS NOT REQUIRED IF YOU HAVE ALREADY CHANGED YOUR GENDER ON YOUR PASSPORT OR BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND CAN PRESENT THESE DOCUMENTS TO THE DMV ATTENDANT.
3. The DMV clerk will update your sex on your license.

IV. CHANGING YOUR NAME AND GENDER ON YOUR PASSPORT

Changing your name and gender on your passport is a simple process that will enable you to travel under your preferred name and gender. A new passport book costs $130 and a new passport card costs $30. Before you complete the following, make sure you already changed your legal name as described in part I. To update your passport, complete the following steps:

1. Fill out a DS-11 form found here (If you are only changing your name, fill out a DS-82 form found here).
2. Make sure you have proof of your identity that contains your signature and a photograph, such as a previous U.S. passport or driver’s license. Your proof of identity does not need to have an updated name or gender.
3. Make sure you have proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a previous U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, certificate of naturalization, or report of birth abroad.
4. Obtain a recent colored photograph that is 2×2 inches in size.
5. Bring your certified Order for Name Change from the Clerk of Superior Court obtained
   in part I.
6. Take these documents to your local passport center. You can locate your nearest center using this link.

V. CHANGING YOUR NAME AND GENDER ON YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE

In North Carolina, you can change your birth certificate to reflect your new name and assigned gender. Before you can amend your birth certificate, you must update your at least one of the following: your passport, driver’s license, or real ID. To amend your birth certificate, follow these steps:

1. Fill out this order to amend your birth certificate before a licensed notary.
2. Use this one form to indicate both what name and gender you want to appear on the birth certificate.
3. Notarize the document (your local bank may be able to notarize these documents).
4. Submit the notarized copy of the court order to the State Registrar’s Office or to your county’s Clerk of Superior Court located in your county’s courthouse.
5. The State Registrar’s Office or Clerk of Superior Court will submit the order to update your birth certificate.

VI. UPDATING YOUR IRS INFORMATION

A change in name may impact your taxes and tax returns and so it should be changed as soon as possible after you change your legal name in part I. You can only proceed with the following steps after you have completed part I. To avoid complications, follow these steps to update your information:

1. Fill out an application for a social security card using this link.
2. Be ready to provide proof of your identity with your new name and gender from a passport or driver’s license that shows your age and date of birth and has a picture of you (make sure these documents are not expired).
3. You will need to bring a certified copy of the Order for Name Change from the Clerk of Superior Court obtained in part I (you cannot bring an uncertified copy of the order).
4. Make an appointment with your local Social Security office using this link.

VII. UPDATING YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION

You can easily change your voter registration. The entire process can be done entirely from your home by following these steps:

1. Fill out the NC Voter Registration Application (available in English and Spanish) on this website.
2. Once you have filled out the application, submit it to your county board of elections. You can find your local county board of election’s address using this link.