Name Change to Match Gender Identity in Tennessee: Steps, Cost & Forms
Verified against Tennessee Circuit, Chancery, or Probate Court (the court that hears name changes varies by county) and .gov sources · Last verified July 16, 2026.
A name change to match gender identity in Tennessee is filed in the Circuit, Chancery, or Probate Court (varies by county), costs about $100–$250 (typical $175, varies by county), and requires no newspaper notice. Most cases finish in 1–6 weeks. You'll need the forms below and certified copies of the signed order to update your IDs.
Your personalized plan
Pick your state and situation for your exact filing fee, court, forms, and ordered steps.
What it costs
A name change to align with gender identity uses the same county-set filing fee as any adult petition; confirm the amount with your county court clerk
The Circuit, Chancery, or Probate Court in the county where you have lived for at least six months
Step by step
- 1
File a standard adult Petition for Change of Name in the Circuit, Chancery, or Probate Court of the county where you live — Tennessee has no separate gender-identity name-change process, so the ordinary petition is used.
- 2
Complete and notarize the petition, file it with the clerk, and pay the county filing fee.
- 3
Attend the hearing and obtain the judge's signed order changing your name.
- 4
Use certified copies to update Social Security, your Tennessee driver license, and your US passport.
Official forms
Every link goes to the official court or government host — never a paid re-host.
- • Tennessee treats a name change to align with gender identity as an ordinary adult name-change petition — there is no special statutory procedure and no publication requirement.
- • Changing your name does not automatically change the sex marker on Tennessee identity documents; the state's rules on amending the gender marker on a driver license or birth certificate are separate and restrictive — check current Driver Services and Vital Records policy.
Then update your IDs
Once you have the signed order, update Social Security first, then your Tennessee license, then your passport and accounts.
Gender identity name change in nearby states
Name Change to Match Gender Identity in Tennessee: FAQ
How much does a name change to match gender identity cost in Tennessee?
Do I have to publish a notice in a newspaper in Tennessee?
Is a gender-identity name change private in Tennessee?
How long does it take in Tennessee?
What do I do after the judge signs my order in Tennessee?
Sources
Every fee, court, rule, and form on this page traces to an official government source:
- www.tncourts.gov/programs/self-help-center
- www.tn.gov/safety/driver-services/helpful-information/dlnamechange.html
See our verification methodology and themaster source list.