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Name Change Atlas

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

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

Quick answer

A name change to match gender identity in Maine is filed in the County Probate Court (name) + Maine BMV / Maine CDC (gender marker), costs about $40–$100 (typical $75, varies by county), and requires no newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 4–12 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
$40–$100 (typical $75, varies by county)

A name change to match gender identity uses the same county Probate Court petition (about $40–$100, varies by county). Updating the gender marker on a driver's license or birth certificate is handled administratively and has separate agency fees.

Court
County Probate Court (name) + Maine BMV / Maine CDC (gender marker)

The Probate Court in the county where you live

Timeline
4–12 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    To change your legal name, use the standard adult Probate Court process — file Form CN-1 and Form AF-103 in your county; Maine does not require newspaper publication, and the criminal-history record check still applies to adult petitioners.

  2. 2

    To change the gender marker on your Maine driver's license or ID, submit the BMV gender designation form and select F, M, or X — no court order is required.

  3. 3

    To change the gender marker on a Maine birth certificate, submit Form VS-7 with a 'Declaration of Gender Transition' completed by a health care provider; an amended certificate is issued and the original is sealed from public inspection.

  4. 4

    Use your signed name-change order and updated ID to update Social Security (Form SS-5) and your US passport.

Official forms

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

FormCodeOfficial link
Petition for Change of Name (Adult)CN-1Open ↗
Change the Gender Marker on Your Birth Record (Maine CDC)VS-7Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Not required — Maine never requires newspaper publication for a name change (Title 18-C §1-701), which protects the privacy of transgender petitioners.
Background check: Fingerprint/background check required
Good to know in Maine:
  • • Maine offers an 'X' gender designation on driver's licenses and IDs (policy in place since 2018) and does not require a court order to change the license gender marker.
  • • A birth-certificate gender-marker change seals the original record; because Maine requires no publication for any name change, the court process itself does not expose a transgender petitioner's former name in a newspaper.

Then update your IDs

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

Gender identity name change in nearby states

Name Change to Match Gender Identity in Maine: FAQ

How much does a name change to match gender identity cost in Maine?
About $40–$100 (typical $75, varies by county), filed in the County Probate Court (name) + Maine BMV / Maine CDC (gender marker). A name change to match gender identity uses the same county Probate Court petition (about $40–$100, varies by county). Updating the gender marker on a driver's license or birth certificate is handled administratively and has separate agency fees..
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Maine?
No. Maine does not require newspaper publication for this type of name change.
Is a gender-identity name change private in Maine?
Maine never requires newspaper publication for a name change (Title 18-C §1-701), which protects the privacy of transgender petitioners.
How long does it take in Maine?
Typically 4–12 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 Maine?
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.