Skip to content
Name Change Atlas
All StatesToolsWho to NotifyGuidesCost & Steps Calculator

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

Verified against Alabama Probate Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A name change to match gender identity in Alabama is filed in the Probate Court, costs about $25–$100 (typical $42, 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

Showing your state. Change the situation below to compare.

Your situation

What it costs

Filing fee
$25–$100 (typical $42, varies by county)

Alabama has no separate gender-identity name-change process — you use the standard adult petition (Form PS-12) in Probate Court, so the same per-county fee applies

Court
Probate Court

Probate Court in the county where you live

Timeline
2–8 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    Change your name using the standard adult process — file Form PS-12 (Request to Change Name — For An Adult) in your county Probate Court; Alabama has no dedicated gender-identity name-change form or confidential track.

  2. 2

    After the probate judge signs the name-change order, obtain certified copies to update Social Security and your ALEA driver license.

  3. 3

    To correct the sex designation on an Alabama birth certificate, file a separate request with a court order under Alabama's vital-records law (Ala. Code § 22-9A-19) through the Alabama Department of Public Health — this is separate from the name change.

  4. 4

    Be aware that ALEA applies a restrictive policy to changing the sex marker on a driver license; verify the current documentation ALEA requires before you apply.

Official forms

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

FormCodeOfficial link
Request to Change Name (For An Adult)PS-12Open ↗
Alabama Department of Public Health — Vital Records—Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Not required — No statewide publication requirement for the name-change petition itself.
Background check: Background check sometimes required
Good to know in Alabama:
  • • There is no gender-specific name-change petition in Alabama — the same PS-12 adult petition and per-county probate fee apply.
  • • Amending the sex marker on an Alabama birth certificate requires a separate court order and an ADPH request; driver-license gender-marker changes are governed by a restrictive ALEA policy, so confirm current requirements directly with each agency.

Then update your IDs

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

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

Gender identity name change in nearby states

South Carolina →Louisiana →Minnesota →Kentucky →

Name Change to Match Gender Identity in Alabama: FAQ

How much does a name change to match gender identity cost in Alabama?
About $25–$100 (typical $42, varies by county), filed in the Probate Court. Alabama has no separate gender-identity name-change process — you use the standard adult petition (Form PS-12) in Probate Court, so the same per-county fee applies.
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Alabama?
No. Alabama does not require newspaper publication for this type of name change.
Is a gender-identity name change private in Alabama?
No statewide publication requirement for the name-change petition itself.
How long does it take in Alabama?
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 Alabama?
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.

We're re-confirming some fee details for this state against the county court. Always confirm the exact current fee with your court clerk before you file.