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

Verified against Superior Court of New Jersey and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A name change to match gender identity in New Jersey is filed in the Superior Court, Law Division — Civil Part, costs about $250, and requires no newspaper notice. 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

$250

Same $250 court filing fee as any adult name change; waivable for hardship. No publication cost.

Court

Superior Court, Law Division — Civil Part

Superior Court, Law Division (Civil Part) in the county where you live

Timeline

4–10 weeks

Step by step

1
Complete the Adult Name Change packet (CN 10551) and be sure to file the Certification of Confidential Information for Name Change (Form A1) so your personal information stays out of the public record.
2
File with the Superior Court Law Division (Civil Part) in your county and pay the $250 fee (or request a waiver); you do NOT publish anything in a newspaper.
3
Attend the hearing and obtain the signed Final Judgment of Name Change; the court file is kept confidential.
4
Use certified copies of the Final Judgment to update Social Security, change the gender marker on your NJ MVC license or ID, and update your US passport.

Official forms

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

Form	Code	Official link
How to Ask the Court to Change Your Name—Adults Only (Adult Name Change packet, includes Certification of Confidential Information)	CN 10551	Open ↗
NJ MVC change of name / gender designation	—	Open ↗

Newspaper publication: Not required — New Jersey does NOT require newspaper publication for a name change, and since a 2021 New Jersey Supreme Court order all name-change records are excluded from public access to protect privacy.

Background check: No background check

Good to know in New Jersey:

• No publication requirement, and name-change records are confidential by New Jersey Supreme Court order (2021).
• New Jersey lets you change the gender marker on your driver's license or ID and does not require proof of surgery to do so.

Then update your IDs

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

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

Gender identity name change in nearby states

Michigan →Virginia →North Carolina →Washington →

Name Change to Match Gender Identity in New Jersey: FAQ

How much does a name change to match gender identity cost in New Jersey?

About $250, filed in the Superior Court, Law Division — Civil Part. Same $250 court filing fee as any adult name change; waivable for hardship. No publication cost..

Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in New Jersey?

No. New Jersey does not require newspaper publication for this type of name change.

Is a gender-identity name change private in New Jersey?

New Jersey does NOT require newspaper publication for a name change, and since a 2021 New Jersey Supreme Court order all name-change records are excluded from public access to protect privacy.

How long does it take in New Jersey?

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 New Jersey?

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.