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Name Change Atlas

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

Verified against Office of the Lieutenant Governor (administrative name changes for adults and minors) / Hawaii Family Court (former-name restoration in divorce and contested minor matters) and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A name change to match gender identity in Hawaii is filed in the Office of the Lieutenant Governor (name change) — gender marker on documents updated separately through DOH and the county DMV, costs about $50, and requires a newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 6–10 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
$50

The name change uses the same $50 Lieutenant Governor filing fee ($56 total online); updating the gender marker on the birth certificate or license carries its own separate DOH/county fees

Court
Office of the Lieutenant Governor (name change) — gender marker on documents updated separately through DOH and the county DMV

Petition filed with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor through the State of Hawaii Online Name Change System — an adult name change in Hawaii is administrative and does not go through a court

Timeline
6–10 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    File the name-change petition with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor exactly as an adult would — notarized, with the $50 fee, through the online system.

  2. 2

    After the order is signed, publish the Notice of Change of Name in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser within 60 days; Hawaii does not allow this to be waived or sealed.

  3. 3

    Use the signed name-change order to update Social Security and your US passport gender marker.

  4. 4

    Update the gender marker on your Hawaii birth certificate through the Department of Health Vital Records, and on your driver's license or State ID through your county driver-licensing office.

Official forms

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

FormCodeOfficial link
State of Hawaii Online Name Change System (Office of the Lieutenant Governor)Open ↗
Hawaii Department of Health Vital Records (birth certificate amendment)Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Required — Hawaii does not offer a publication waiver — a name change to affirm gender identity still requires publishing the notice in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser within 60 days, which is a known privacy concern for transgender petitioners.
Background check: No background check
Good to know in Hawaii:
  • • The legal name change and the gender-marker change are two separate processes handled by different agencies.
  • • Because publication cannot be waived, review privacy options with a legal-aid organization before filing if safety is a concern.

Then update your IDs

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

Gender identity name change in nearby states

Name Change to Match Gender Identity in Hawaii: FAQ

How much does a name change to match gender identity cost in Hawaii?
About $50, filed in the Office of the Lieutenant Governor (name change) — gender marker on documents updated separately through DOH and the county DMV. The name change uses the same $50 Lieutenant Governor filing fee ($56 total online); updating the gender marker on the birth certificate or license carries its own separate DOH/county fees.
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Hawaii?
Yes. Hawaii does not offer a publication waiver — a name change to affirm gender identity still requires publishing the notice in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser within 60 days, which is a known privacy concern for transgender petitioners.
Is a gender-identity name change private in Hawaii?
Hawaii does not offer a publication waiver — a name change to affirm gender identity still requires publishing the notice in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser within 60 days, which is a known privacy concern for transgender petitioners.
How long does it take in Hawaii?
Typically 6–10 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 Hawaii?
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.