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Welcome to our one-stop hub for name and gender change information. Find out how to update your name and gender on state and federal IDs and records. 

Most courts and government offices have resumed normal operations with the formal end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Make sure to contact your local court or other government offices for details on their current operating hours and procedures, including if they require appointments for in-person visits.. You should keep dated copies of any materials you submit by mail or electronically. 

Last updated November 2023

 

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Alaska Name Change Laws

Name Changes for Adults

Overview:

The process for an adult to change their name (not due to marriage or divorce) begins with the filing of a Petition for Change of Name and an Application or Report of Change of Name with the local Superior Court. After the Petitioner (the person filing the petition) has submitted these documents and paid the required fees, the Court will schedule a hearing date for the Petitioner.

As a matter of course, the Court will post notice on its website of the Petitioner's intent to change their name for four weeks leading up to the hearing. The Court may also order the Petitioner to provide notice published in a newspaper or posted in a public place. The Petitioner may file an additional form with their petition to request to be excused from this requirement.

The Alaska Court System provides an Adult Change of Name Packet with all required forms and information on filling them out.

 

Step 1: Complete Court Forms

First, the Petitioner must fill out the forms they intend to submit to the Court. The two required forms are CIV-700 Petition for Change of Name, and VS-405 Application or Report of Change of Name. These forms must be filled out in the Petitioner's current legal name, and indicate what they wish their new legal name to be. These forms (and any others filed with the court) must be notarized by a Notary Public or the Clerk of the Court. (There is no additional fee for having the Clerk perform this service.) More detailed information on this process is available in CIV-699 Instructions for Adult Change of Name.

If the Petitioner wishes to be excused from the requirement that notice of their name change is posted on the Court's website, they may fill out form CIV-708 Request to Waive Posting in Adult Change of Name Case.

If the Petitioner cannot afford the filing fee for filing this case, they may also submit form TF-920 Request for Exemption from Payment of Fees.

 

Step 2: Gather Documents

Gather together the following documents, which are to be submitted to the Superior Court in the Petitioner's county:

  1. CIV-700 Petition for Change of Name
  2. VS-405 Application or Report of Change of Name
  3. Filing Fee ($200.00 cash or check)
  4. (optional) CIV-708 Request to Waive Posting in Adult Change of Name Case
  5. (optional) TF-920 Request for Exemption from Payment of Fees

 

Step 3: File at the Superior Court

File the documents identified in Step 3 at the Superior Court in the jurisdiction where the Petitioner resides. (There is a list of Superior Court filing locations on the last page of CIV-699 Instructions for Adult Change of Name.) After the Petitioner submits all of the required documents and pays the filing fee, a hearing will be scheduled. In the meantime, the Court will publish notice of the Petitioner's name change on the Court's website, and may require the Petitioner to provide additional or alternative notice as well.

Step 5: Attend the Hearing

The Petitioner must attend the Court hearing. The hearing is usually short and fairly informal. The Petitioner should be prepared to tell the judge why they want to change their name, and assert that they are not changing their name in order to avoid debts or commit fraud.

If the judge grants the Petitioner's change of name, the Court will issue a Certificate of Name Change. The Petitioner will need to use this Certificate as their official proof for changing their name with any government office or institution.

Last updated November 2021
 

Name Changes for Minors (Under 18)

Overview:

In order to change the name of a minor, an adult (typically a parent or guardian) must file a Petition for Child's Change of Name, an Application or Report of Change of Name, and a Parental Consent from Non-Petitioning Parent with the Court on the minor's behalf. After the adult has submitted these documents and paid the required fees, the Court will schedule a hearing date for the name change case.

As a matter of course, the Court will post notice on its website of the intent to change the minor's name for four weeks leading up to the hearing. The Court may also order the adult to provide notice published in a newspaper or posted in a public place. The adult may file an additional form with their petition to request to be excused from this requirement.

Changing a minor's name requires the consent of the legal parents, provided either by filing the Petition on the minor's behalf or by filling out a separate consent form. If one parent objects, the Court must determine whether there is good cause and if it would be in the best interest of the minor to change their name despite that parent's objection. If any parents do not support the minor's name change, the minor and the filing adult should consult with an attorney before filing.

The Alaska Court System provides a Child's Change of Name Packet with all required forms and information on filling them out.

 

Step 1: Complete Court Forms

First, the adult must fill out the forms they intend to submit to the Court on behalf of the minor. The three required forms are CIV-694 Petition to Change Child's Name, CIV-695 Parental Consent from Non-Petitioning Parent, and VS-405 Application or Report of Change of Name. These forms must be filled out by the adult using the minor's current legal name, and indicate what they wish the minor's new legal name to be. These forms (and any others filed with the court) must be notarized by a Notary Public or the Clerk of the Court. (There is no additional fee for having the Clerk perform this service.) More detailed information on this process is available in CIV-693 Instructions for Child's Change of Name.

If the minor or filing adult wishes to be excused from the requirement that notice of their name change is posted on the Court's website, they may fill out form CIV-709 Request to Waive Posting in Child's Change of Name Case.

If the filing adult cannot afford the filing fee for filing this case, they may also submit form TF-920 Request for Exemption from Payment of Fees.

 

Step 2: Gather Documents

Gather together the following documents, which are to be submitted to the Superior Court in the Petitioner's county:

  1. CIV-694 Petition to Change Child's Name
  2. CIV-695 Parental Consent from Non-Petitioning Parent
  3. VS-405 Application or Report of Change of Name
  4. Filing Fee ($200.00 cash or check)
  5. (optional) CIV-708 Request to Waive Posting in Adult Change of Name Case
  6. (optional) TF-920 Request for Exemption from Payment of Fees

 

Step 3: File at the Superior Court

File the documents identified in Step 3 at the Superior Court in the jurisdiction where the minor resides. (There is a list of Superior Court filing locations on the last page of CIV-693 Instructions for Child's Change of Name.) After the adult submits all of the required documents and pays the filing fee, a hearing will be scheduled. In the meantime, the Court will publish notice of the minor's name change on the Court's website, and may require the filing adult to provide additional or alternative notice as well.

 

Step 5: Attend the Hearing

The filing adult and minor must attend the Court hearing. The hearing is usually short and fairly informal. The filing adult should be prepared to tell the judge why they want to change the minor's name. If the minor is old enough, the judge may ask the minor about their name change as well. 

If a parent objects to the name change, the judge will allow the filing adult to respond to it, and then will decide whether it is in the best interests of the minor to allow the name change in spite of the objection.

If the judge grants the change of name, the Court will issue a Certificate of Name Change. The Petitioner will need to use this Certificate as their official proof for changing their name with any government office or institution.

Last updated November 2021
 

Alaska Drivers License Policy & Procedures

Overview:

In order to update the name on an Alaska ID, the applicant must first change their name with the Social Security Administration. For more information on that process, visit the Social Security Record section of the ID Documents Center. Once the Social Security records have been updated, the applicant must then submit an application for a new ID and a certified copy of the Certificate of Name Change (or other court-ordered name change). Under state law, an applicant is required to notify the Alaska DMV of a change of name within 30 days of it being granted.

In order to update the gender on an Alaska ID, the applicant must submit a Certification for Change of Sex Designator filled out and signed by themselves and by their medical provider or other qualified professional. This must be submitted in person at a DMV location. 

The Alaska DMV address name and gender marker changes here.

 

Step 1: Gather Documents

To change the applicant's name and gender marker on their Alaska Driver's License or ID Card, they must gather the following documents.

  1. Form 478 Application for Alaska Driver License, Permit, or Identification Card
  2. A "primary document" such as an original birth certificate or passport proving (prior) legal name, date of birth, and citizenship (for a list of primary documents, see here)
  3. Proof of address (e.g. utility bill, paystub, bank statement)
  4. Updated Social Security card
  5. Certificate of Name Change or other court order of name change
  6. Form 427 Certification for Change of Sex Designator on Driver License or Identification Card signed by the applicant and by a medical professional, social worker, or psychologist
 
Step 2: Change Petitioner's Name and Gender with Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles

The applicant should take the gathered documents for their name and gender marker change in person to an Alaska DMV location. For a list of locations and hours, see here. For any questions on the Form 427 Certification for Change of Sex Designator, contact Anchorange Driver Licensing at (907) 269-5551.

Last updated November 2021

Alaska Birth Certificate Laws

Upon receipt of a court order for name change and/or a letter from a qualified provider attesting to appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition, the Alaska Department of Vital Records will issue an "amended" birth certificate with the new name and gender marker listed. They will notissue a new birth certificate replacing the original. The information that was changed will be noted on the bottom of the document.

 

To apply for an amended birth certificate the applicant should submit:

  1. An Alaska Birth Certificate Request Form
  2. A photocopy of the ID of the registrant (or the parent or guardian requesting the change on behalf of a minor)
  3. To update the name, a certified copy of the Certificate of Name Change or other court order
  4. To update the gender marker, a letter (such as this gender marker change template) from a physician, social worker, psychologist, professional counselor, physician assistant, or advanced nurse practitioner; OR a certified copy of a court ordered change of sex
  5. Fee ($60 for the amendment fee and one certified copy)

Submit the application to this address:

Alaska Vital Records Office
Attn: Corrections
PO Box 110675
Juneau, AK 99811-0675

For more information, see the Department of Vital Records policy on sex designation

Last updated November 2021

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