Trans Resource Navigator

Legal name change in Alabama

Change detected, under review. An official source this page relies on changed recently. Part of this page may be out of date until we review it.

  • Page changed: Ala. Code § 15-20A-36, name change of offender (2026-10-05) · #108
  • Page changed: Ala. Code § 12-19-90, judge of probate schedule of fees (2026-10-05) · #107
  • Page changed: Ala. Code § 12-13-1, probate court jurisdiction (2026-10-05) · #106
  • Page changed: Ala. Code § 15-20A-36, name change of offender (2026-09-28) · #4
  • Page changed: Ala. Code § 12-19-90, judge of probate schedule of fees (2026-09-28) · #3
  • Page changed: Ala. Code § 12-13-1, probate court jurisdiction (2026-09-28) · #1
Change your legal name
Yes
Publication requirementA rule in some states that a name-change petition be printed in a newspaper before it is granted. Many states waive it for trans petitioners or for safety.
Not required
Court hearing
Sometimes
Sealed recordA court file that is kept confidential and not available to the public.
Not offered

Adults (19 and older) can change their name by filing a short sworn petition in the probate court of the county where they live. No newspaper publication is required by law, and many courts decide without a hearing. Expect about $25 to $100 in court fees, and some counties ask for a state criminal background check.

Main cost
$25, can be waived

Draft from official sources, September 24, 2026. Not yet checked by a person. How we verify

On this page
  1. How it works
  2. Steps
  3. Costs and fee waivers
  4. Free help
  5. Forms
  6. Requirements
  7. Minors
  8. After you finish
  9. Tips
  10. Laws and other guides
  11. Sources

How it works

In Alabama, name changes for adults are handled by the probate court (the "judge of probate") in the county where you live. The law only asks for a written declaration, signed by you, stating your current name and the name you want (Ala. Code § 12-13-1(b)(10)). The Alabama State Bar's plain-language form PS-12, Request to Change Name (For An Adult) is accepted in many counties; some probate courts have their own form.

There is no law requiring you to explain that the change is related to gender identity, and no publication requirement. The main barriers are:

  • Criminal history: the PS-12 asks you to swear you have no pending charges and no felony, crime of moral turpitude, or sex offense conviction. Registered sex offenders are barred from changing their name except for marriage or religion (Ala. Code § 15-20A-36).
  • Local practice varies: some judges hold a short hearing, and some courts ask for a background check from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA).

A name change order does not change your sex marker. For that, see the driver's license and birth certificate guides; both require proof of surgery in Alabama.

Steps

  1. Call your county probate court[1][6]

    Ask the probate office for its name change requirements, fee, whether it accepts form PS-12, and whether it needs an ALEA background check. Requirements vary by county.

  2. Get a background check if your county requires it[6]

    Optional

    Some probate courts ask for an Alabama criminal history report from ALEA. A4TE reports the fee as about $25. Ask the court exactly which report it wants.

    Cost
    $25 aLEA criminal background check (if required)

  3. Fill out and notarize the petition[4]

    Complete PS-12 (or your county's form), attach a certified copy of your birth certificate and a copy of your photo ID, and sign in front of a notary.

    Form
    PS-12

  4. File at the probate court and pay the fee[2][5][7]

    File in person at the probate court in your county. Bring cash or a money order (many offices do not take personal checks). If you cannot pay, ask about the Affidavit of Substantial Hardship.

    Form
    C-10
    Cost
    $25-$95 probate court filing fee for a name change; Varies certified copies of the decree

  5. Attend a hearing if one is set[7]

    Optional

    Many judges sign the order without a hearing. If a hearing is scheduled, the judge may ask why you want the change; answer briefly and honestly.

  6. Get several certified copies of the decree[7][2]

    The court issues a decree changing your name. Buy several certified copies; Social Security, ALEA, the passport agency, and your bank may each want one.

    Cost
    Varies certified copies of the decree

Costs and fee waivers

Can’t afford it? You may not have to pay.[5]

For people who cannot pay court costs because of low income or public benefits. The judge decides.

Fill out the Affidavit of Substantial Hardship (C-10) with your income and expenses and file it with your petition. Ask the probate office first whether it uses this form or its own.

C-10

WhatCostNotes
Probate court filing fee for a name change[2][6]$25-$95Can be waivedVaries by countyState law sets a $15 base fee for "proceedings in change of name"; counties add local fees. The $25 to $95 range is from A4TE (2021); call your probate office for the current amount.
ALEA criminal background check (if required)[6]$25Amount reported by A4TE; not confirmed on ALEA's site.
Certified copies of the decree[2]VariesVaries by countyThe statutory probate fee for each certificate with seal is $3, plus copy charges; counties may charge more.

Free help

Legal clinics, organizations, and funds that help with this.

  • Legal Services Alabama[8]

    Free civil legal aid for low-income Alabamians, with eight regional offices. Apply online or call 866-456-4995.

    • Free
    866-456-4995

  • Birmingham Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program[9]

    In-person help desks where income-eligible people meet a volunteer attorney who explains the court process and helps start forms. Bring proof of income.

    • Free

    Serves: Birmingham area

  • ACLU of Alabama[10]

    Civil liberties organization with an online legal help intake form for rights violations, including discrimination by government offices.

    • Free

  • Trans Lifeline[11]

    Offers microgrants for name change and ID document fees when funding allows, plus a peer-support hotline at 877-565-8860.

    • Free
    877-565-8860

More detail

Forms2 forms: PS-12, C-10

Open a form for tips on filling it out.

PS-12Request to Change Name (For An Adult)Sometimes required: Use this statewide form unless your county probate court gives you its own petition.

Use this statewide form unless your county probate court gives you its own petition. Call the probate office first to ask.

How to fill it out

  • Reason for the change: a short, truthful reason is enough, such as "to match the name I use in daily life" or "to reflect my gender identity." You do not need to give medical details.
  • Attach a certified copy of your birth certificate and a copy of your photo ID, as the form instructs.
  • Read the declarations carefully: you are swearing you have no pending charges and no disqualifying convictions.
  • Sign in front of a notary. Many banks, libraries, and legal aid offices offer free notary service.

Open PS-12[4]

C-10Affidavit of Substantial Hardship and Order (Civil)Optional

If you cannot afford the filing fee. Ask the probate office whether it accepts this form for name changes.

Open C-10[5]

RequirementsWhere you live, age, criminal record, newspaper notice, hearing, background check, privacy and sealing, timeline
Where you live
File in the probate court of the Alabama county where you live. Some courts may ask how long you have lived there.[1][4][3]
Age
19 or older to file for yourself. Under 19, a parent or guardian files (see Minors).
Criminal record
The PS-12 requires you to swear you have no pending criminal charges and no conviction for a felony, a crime of moral turpitude, or a criminal sex offense. Registered sex offenders may not change their name except upon marriage or divorce or for religious reasons. If you have a record, talk to a legal aid lawyer before filing.
Newspaper publication
No.

Alabama's name change law does not require publishing notice in a newspaper for adults. If a court tells you otherwise, ask which law requires it.

[1]
Court hearing
Sometimes.

Up to the judge. Many probate courts grant uncontested adult petitions on the papers.

[7]
Background check
Sometimes.

Not required by statute, but some probate courts require an ALEA criminal history report. The PS-12 itself requires a sworn statement about criminal history.

[6][4]
Privacy and sealed records
Not available.

Alabama has no statute for sealing adult name change records. Probate records are generally public. You can ask the judge to seal the file for safety reasons, but there is no set procedure.

[1]
How long it takes

Often the same day to a few weeks after filing, depending on the county and whether a hearing is set.

MinorsFor someone under 19, a parent or legal guardian files in the probate court of the county where the minor lives, with written consent from…

For someone under 19, a parent or legal guardian files in the probate court of the county where the minor lives, with written consent from everyone who has parental or legal rights. A minor 14 or older must also consent (Ala. Code § 12-13-1(b)(11)). If a parent will not consent or cannot be found, or a custody case is pending in circuit court, the probate court cannot use this simple process; talk to a lawyer.

[1]
After you finish1. Social Security first (form SS-5, in person or by mail, free).
  1. Social Security first (form SS-5, in person or by mail, free). ALEA wants to see your updated Social Security record.
  2. Driver's license or ID at ALEA or a county license office, or by mail with form DL-100 ($31.25 duplicate fee); bring the certified decree and new Social Security card.
  3. Birth certificate (if born in Alabama): send the certified decree to the Center for Health Statistics with the amendment application ($20, includes one copy).
  4. Passport, then banks, employer, voter registration, and insurance.
Tips2 tips from people who have done this
  • Ask the probate office on the phone before you go; small counties sometimes have their own form and only accept cash or money orders.
  • Birmingham's Volunteer Lawyers Program runs walk-in help desks for low-income Jefferson County residents; Legal Services Alabama covers the rest of the state.
Laws and other guides3 laws, 2 other guides

Laws and rules

Other trusted guides

Sources

11 sources. Numbers in the text, like [1], point here.Show all
  1. Ala. Code § 12-13-1, probate court jurisdictionAlabama Legislature, Law. accessed
    “The change of the name of any adult residing in their county, upon his or her filing a declaration in writing, signed by him or her, stating the name by which he or she is known and the name to which he or she wishes it to be changed.”
  2. Ala. Code § 12-19-90, judge of probate schedule of feesAlabama Legislature, Law. accessed
    “(8) Proceedings in change of name ..... 15.00”
  3. Ala. Code § 15-20A-36, name change of offenderAlabama Legislature, Law. accessed
    “No sex offender shall change his or her name unless the change is incident to a change in the marital status of the sex offender or is necessary to effect the exercise of the religion of the sex offender.”
  4. PS-12, Request to Change Name (For An Adult)Alabama State Bar / Alabama Administrative Office of Courts, Form. accessed
    “Attach a certified copy of your birth certificate and a copy of your photo ID, and File your form and attachments in the same county where you live.”
  5. C-10, Affidavit of Substantial Hardship and Order (Civil)Alabama Administrative Office of Courts, Form. accessed
  6. Alabama identity documentsAdvocates for Trans Equality, Organization. accessed
    “$25-$95 filing fee (varies by county); $25 for background check”
  7. Alabama legal resourcesCampaign for Southern Equality, Organization. accessed
    “The probate court may or may not set a hearing date. If a hearing is scheduled, the court may ask you why you want to change your name.”
  8. Legal Services AlabamaOrganization. accessed
  9. Get Help, Birmingham Bar Volunteer Lawyers ProgramOrganization. accessed
    “If you meet the income requirements, you will see an attorney on the day you visit the Help Desk.”
  10. Get Legal Help, ACLU of AlabamaOrganization. accessed
  11. Trans LifelineOrganization. accessed