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

Verified against Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.

Quick answer

A name change to match gender identity in Pennsylvania is filed in the Court of Common Pleas (Civil Division), costs about $142–$350 (typical $300, varies by county), and requires a newspaper notice unless it's waived. Most cases finish in 8–16 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

$142–$350 (typical $300, varies by county)

Same county Court of Common Pleas filing fee as any adult petition; Pennsylvania does not waive the fee for a gender-related name change, though publication and public access can be waived for safety.

Court

Court of Common Pleas (Civil Division)

Court of Common Pleas in the county where you live

Timeline

8–16 weeks

Step by step

1
File the county Petition for Change of Name with the Court of Common Pleas, and at the same time file a motion to waive the newspaper publication requirement and to seal the record on the ground that publication would jeopardize your personal safety.
2
Complete the same fingerprinting and Pennsylvania State Police criminal-history check required for any adult name-change petition under 54 Pa.C.S. § 702(b).
3
If the safety waiver is granted, the court waives publication, seals the file, and closes the hearing to the public; otherwise proceed with the standard two-newspaper publication.
4
Obtain the signed decree under seal and use certified copies to update Social Security, the PennDOT record and gender marker, and your US passport.

Official forms

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

Form	Code	Official link
Name Change Petition (county Court of Common Pleas form)	—	Open ↗
Motion to Waive Publication and Seal Record (county practice; ask the Prothonotary)	—	Open ↗

Newspaper publication: Required (waivable) — You may file a motion to waive publication and seal the record where publication or public access would jeopardize your safety or your child's safety; if granted, publication is waived, the file is sealed, and the hearing is closed.

Background check: Fingerprint/background check required

Good to know in Pennsylvania:

• Pennsylvania courts can waive newspaper publication and seal the name-change file for transgender petitioners and domestic-violence or crime victims where publication would jeopardize safety.
• The statutory fingerprint and State Police background check still apply even when publication is waived; the waiver covers publicity and public record access only.

Then update your IDs

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

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

Gender identity name change in nearby states

New York →Illinois →Florida →Ohio →

Name Change to Match Gender Identity in Pennsylvania: FAQ

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

About $142–$350 (typical $300, varies by county), filed in the Court of Common Pleas (Civil Division). Same county Court of Common Pleas filing fee as any adult petition; Pennsylvania does not waive the fee for a gender-related name change, though publication and public access can be waived for safety..

Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Pennsylvania?

Usually, but it can be waived. You may file a motion to waive publication and seal the record where publication or public access would jeopardize your safety or your child's safety; if granted, publication is waived, the file is sealed, and the hearing is closed.

Is a gender-identity name change private in Pennsylvania?

You may file a motion to waive publication and seal the record where publication or public access would jeopardize your safety or your child's safety; if granted, publication is waived, the file is sealed, and the hearing is closed.

How long does it take in Pennsylvania?

Typically 8–16 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 Pennsylvania?

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.