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

Verified against North Dakota District Court and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A name change to match gender identity in North Dakota is filed in the North Dakota District Court (county of residence), costs about $160, and requires a newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 6–12 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

$160

A name change to match gender identity uses the same adult name-change petition and district court civil filing fee ($80 pre-July 2025, $160 after July 1, 2025); waivable. Confirm the current fee with your clerk of court.

Court

North Dakota District Court (county of residence)

District Court in the North Dakota county where you have lived for at least 6 months

Timeline

6–12 weeks

Step by step

1
Use the standard ND Courts adult name-change packet (Petition, Notice, Affidavit, and proposed Order) — there is no dedicated gender-identity form in North Dakota.
2
Publish the 30-day notice of intended change in your county's official newspaper unless you qualify for the domestic-violence exception under NDCC 14-07.1-01.
3
File the petition and proof of publication with the Clerk of District Court and pay or waive the fee; the court may order a background check.
4
After the judge signs the order, use certified copies to update Social Security, the North Dakota DOT license gender marker, and your US passport separately from the court name change.

Official forms

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

Form	Code	Official link
Name Change – Adult: all forms and instructions packet	—	Open ↗

Newspaper publication: Required — North Dakota has no separate gender-identity name-change track — the standard 30-day newspaper notice under NDCC 32-28-02 applies. The only publication exceptions are a first/middle-name-only change or a domestic violence victim under NDCC 14-07.1-01.

Background check: Background check sometimes required

Good to know in North Dakota:

• Changing your name and changing your gender marker are separate processes in North Dakota; the court order changes your name, while the DOT and vital records handle the gender marker under their own rules.
• If publishing your notice would put your safety at risk, ask the court whether the domestic-violence exception under NDCC 14-07.1-01 applies to you.

Then update your IDs

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

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

Gender identity name change in nearby states

South Dakota →Alaska →Delaware →Vermont →

Name Change to Match Gender Identity in North Dakota: FAQ

How much does a name change to match gender identity cost in North Dakota?

About $160, filed in the North Dakota District Court (county of residence). A name change to match gender identity uses the same adult name-change petition and district court civil filing fee ($80 pre-July 2025, $160 after July 1, 2025); waivable. Confirm the current fee with your clerk of court..

Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in North Dakota?

Yes. North Dakota has no separate gender-identity name-change track — the standard 30-day newspaper notice under NDCC 32-28-02 applies. The only publication exceptions are a first/middle-name-only change or a domestic violence victim under NDCC 14-07.1-01.

Is a gender-identity name change private in North Dakota?

North Dakota has no separate gender-identity name-change track — the standard 30-day newspaper notice under NDCC 32-28-02 applies. The only publication exceptions are a first/middle-name-only change or a domestic violence victim under NDCC 14-07.1-01.

How long does it take in North Dakota?

Typically 6–12 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 North Dakota?

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.