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

Verified against Maryland Circuit Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A name change to match gender identity in Maryland is filed in the Circuit Court (judicial declaration of gender identity, which can include a name change), costs about $165, and requires a newspaper notice unless it's waived. Most cases finish in 4–10 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
$165

A Circuit Court filing fee applies to the petition; ask the clerk about fees and about requesting a fee waiver. Confirm the exact filing fee with your county court clerk.

Court
Circuit Court (judicial declaration of gender identity, which can include a name change)

Circuit Court in the county (or Baltimore City) where you live, work, or were born

Timeline
4–10 weeks

Step by step

  1. 1

    Use the Circuit Court process for a judicial declaration of gender identity, which lets you request a name change as part of the same case — see mdcourts.gov/genderidentity for the current forms and instructions.

  2. 2

    File a motion to waive the Rule 15-901 publication requirement (the court must grant it) and, if you need confidentiality, file the Petition to Seal or Otherwise Limit Inspection of a Case Record (CC-DC-053) with a special and compelling reason.

  3. 3

    Attend any hearing the court schedules and obtain the signed order declaring your gender and granting the name change.

  4. 4

    Use certified copies to update Social Security (Form SS-5), the Maryland MVA gender marker and name, 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 of an AdultCC-DR-060Open ↗
Petition to Seal or Otherwise Limit Inspection of a Case RecordCC-DC-053Open ↗
Application for a Social Security CardSS-5Open ↗
Newspaper publication: Required (waivable) — The court must waive the newspaper publication requirement on the petitioner's motion, and you can ask the court to seal or limit inspection of the case record for safety.
Background check: No background check
Good to know in Maryland:
  • • Maryland offers a separate judicial declaration of gender identity, and a name change can be requested within that process.
  • • The court must waive publication on request, and you can petition to seal the record (CC-DC-053) for safety and confidentiality.

Then update your IDs

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

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

Gender identity name change in nearby states

Missouri →Wisconsin →Indiana →Colorado →

Name Change to Match Gender Identity in Maryland: FAQ

How much does a name change to match gender identity cost in Maryland?
About $165, filed in the Circuit Court (judicial declaration of gender identity, which can include a name change). A Circuit Court filing fee applies to the petition; ask the clerk about fees and about requesting a fee waiver. Confirm the exact filing fee with your county court clerk..
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Maryland?
Usually, but it can be waived. The court must waive the newspaper publication requirement on the petitioner's motion, and you can ask the court to seal or limit inspection of the case record for safety.
Is a gender-identity name change private in Maryland?
The court must waive the newspaper publication requirement on the petitioner's motion, and you can ask the court to seal or limit inspection of the case record for safety.
How long does it take in Maryland?
Typically 4–10 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 Maryland?
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.