Trans Resource Navigator

Legal name change in Illinois

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
Required
Sealed recordA court file that is kept confidential and not available to the public.
Possible

Illinois adults can change their name by filing the statewide Request for Name Change form in the circuit court of the county where they live and attending a short hearing. Since March 1, 2025 there is no newspaper publication, you need only 3 months of Illinois residence by the hearing date, and you can ask the judge to seal (impound) the file because you are transgender.

Cost
Can be waived
Apply
Online, by mail, or in person

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

Illinois uses one court process for every adult name change, whatever the reason. You fill out the Illinois Supreme Court's standardized Request for Name Change (Adult), file it (usually by e-filing) with the Circuit Clerk in the county where you live, and go to a hearing where the judge asks you a few questions under oath. If the judge grants it, you get an Order for Name Change to take to Social Security, the Secretary of State, and everyone else.

Public Act 103-1063 (effective March 1, 2025) made three big changes:

  • No newspaper publication for adult name changes. The old three-week publication rule was repealed.
  • Shorter residency: you must have lived in Illinois for 3 months by the time of the hearing or order (it used to be 6 months before filing).
  • Sealing: you can file a Motion to Impound to keep the case private. Being transgender is listed in the law as a qualifying reason, and your own sworn statement is enough.

You do not need a court order to change the sex marker on an Illinois driver's license, state ID, or Illinois birth certificate. See those guides.

Steps

  1. Fill out the statewide forms[12][13]

    Download the Request for Name Change (Adult) and the Order for Name Change from the Illinois Courts website, or use Illinois Legal Aid Online's free Easy Form, which asks you questions and fills in the forms for you. Every Illinois circuit court must accept these forms.

    If you want privacy, also fill out the Motion to Impound and Order to Impound. If you cannot afford the fee, fill out the Application for Waiver of Court Fees.

  2. Cook County only: prepare your birth certificate and ID exhibits[13]

    Optional

    The Circuit Court of Cook County requires every petitioner to e-file, as an exhibit, a photo or scan of your birth certificate and a photo ID. If your ID does not show a Cook County address, add proof of address such as a lease or bill. You may black out sensitive numbers. Save them as portrait-orientation PDFs.

  3. File with the Circuit Clerk in your county[13][11]

    Most people must e-file through eFileIL (Odyssey). If you have no computer, public libraries and the Circuit Clerk's office have computers and staff who can help. You can ask for an exemption from e-filing (for example, no internet at home, a disability, or trouble with English) and file on paper in person or by mail.

    Pay the county filing fee or attach your fee waiver application. Ask the clerk whether a court date is set automatically or whether you must schedule it.

    Cost
    Varies circuit court filing fee (set by each county)

  4. Go to your hearing[13]

    Arrive 30 minutes early (or join by phone or video if your court allows remote appearance). Bring photo ID, stamped copies of your Request and proposed Order, and, if you have a felony conviction, proof you finished your sentence or were pardoned. The judge places you under oath and asks why you want the change. If granted, the judge signs the Order that day or sets another date if more information is needed.

  5. Get certified copies of the Order[13][11]

    Ask the Circuit Clerk for several certified copies of the signed Order. Social Security, the Secretary of State, IDPH, the passport agency, and banks each need to see one. Illinois law caps each certified copy after the first at $10.

    Cost
    Varies certified copy of the Order (each, after the first)

  6. Update your other documents, in this order[13]

    1. Social Security first (free).
    2. Illinois Secretary of State driver's license or state ID (see the driver's license guide; you can change the sex marker at the same visit).
    3. Illinois birth certificate through IDPH, if you were born in Illinois (see the birth certificate guide).
    4. Passport, bank, employer, insurance, voter registration, school records.

Costs and fee waivers

Can’t afford it? You may not have to pay.[10][16]

Full waiver if any one is true (735 ILCS 5/5-105):

  • You receive SSI, AABD, TANF, SNAP, General Assistance, Transitional Assistance, or State Children and Family Assistance.
  • Your income is at or below 125% of the federal poverty level.
  • Paying would cause substantial hardship to you or your family (judge's discretion).

Partial waiver: 75% off if income is 125% to 150% of poverty, 50% off at 150% to 175%, 25% off at 175% to 200%.

File the Application for Waiver of Court Fees with your Request. The clerk may not refuse your filing while it is pending. A waiver lasts one year.

FW-CIVFW-CIV Order

WhatCostNotes
Circuit court filing fee (set by each county)[11][18]VariesCan be waivedVaries by countyEach county board sets the fee within caps in the Clerks of Courts Act. The highest civil schedule is capped at $366 in Cook County and $316 in other counties; check your Circuit Clerk's website for the exact amount. There is no publication cost anymore.
Certified copy of the Order (each, after the first)[11]VariesCan be waivedVaries by county

Free help

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

  • Transformative Justice Law Project of Illinois (TJLP)[19][20]

    Free name change help for trans and gender nonconforming people: virtual one-on-one appointments after an online intake (allow about 40 business days) or faster help at in-person Name Change Mobilization clinics. Free legal representation at hearings for minors and people with criminal convictions. Also helps with birth certificate, passport, and ID updates.

    • Free
    312-558-1472203 N LaSalle St, Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601Languages: English, Español

  • A4TE Name Change Project (Cook County)[21]

    Matches eligible trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming Cook County residents with volunteer attorneys from law firms who handle the name change for free. Apply through the online intake form; not everyone can be accepted, and there may be a waitlist.

    • Free

    Serves: Cook County

  • IL Pride Connect Legal Hotline[22]

    Free, confidential statewide legal information line for LGBTQIA+ Illinoisans on ID documents, access to gender-affirming care, Medicaid, and discrimination. Monday to Thursday, 9 am to 4 pm; leave a voicemail other times. English and Spanish.

    • Free
    855-805-9200Languages: English, Español

  • Chicago House TransLife Care, legal clinic drop-in[23]

    Free legal clinic for trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive people at TransLife Care drop-ins (in person or virtual): name changes, record sealing and expungement, discrimination, and benefits appeals. Call 773-673-9340.

    • Free

    Serves: Chicago

    773-673-9340

  • Illinois Legal Aid Online, name change Easy Form and legal aid finder[18]

    Free guided interview that completes the statewide name change forms, plus plain-language guides and a "Get Legal Help" tool to find free legal aid near you.

    • Free

More detail

Forms6 forms: ATJ 303.10, ATJ 308.1, NC Order to Impound, NC-A Order, and more

Open a form for tips on filling it out.

Forms everyone files (2)

ATJ 303.10Request for Name Change (Adult)Required

How to fill it out

  • Section 1a: your current legal name exactly as it appears on your birth certificate (or your most recent legal name).
  • Section 1b: the new name. Check spelling carefully; the order copies it exactly.
  • Section 1c: the date you started living in Illinois continuously. You need 3 months by the hearing date.
  • The form does not ask why you are changing your name. You will be asked briefly at the hearing; "to match my gender identity" is a complete answer.
  • Section 2 (criminal history): answer every question truthfully. If you are on a registry, check "Gender-related identity" as your reason if it applies.
  • Signature page: if putting your home address in the court file would put you or your household at risk, check the box for an alternative address and give a safe mailing address.

Open ATJ 303.10[14][13]

NC-A OrderOrder for Name Change (Adult)Required

How to fill it out

  • Fill in the county, your current name, and the new name exactly as on your Request; the judge signs.
  • If you were born outside Illinois, check what your birth state needs in a court order to amend your birth certificate (some want date and place of birth or a certificate number) and add it in the "Additional Information" section.

Open NC-A Order[12][13]

Forms only some people need (4)

ATJ 308.1Motion to Impound (Make Court Records Private), Name ChangeOptional

File it together with your Request if you want the case kept private.

How to fill it out

  • Item 3: check the first box ("Petitioner is one or more of the following categories: transgender, ..."). No other proof is required; your signed statement is enough.
  • You may attach documents (for example an order of protection), but you do not have to.
  • Until the judge grants the motion, this motion itself is public. File it at the same time as the Request so the judge rules on both together.

Open ATJ 308.1[15][8]

NC Order to ImpoundOrder to Impound (Name Change)Optional

Goes with the Motion to Impound; fill in the caption and the judge completes the rest.

Open NC Order to Impound[12]

FW-CIVApplication for Waiver of Court Fees (civil)Optional

Only if you cannot afford the filing fee. See the fee waiver section.

How to fill it out

  • If you receive SNAP, SSI, TANF, AABD, General Assistance, Transitional Assistance, or State Children and Family Assistance, check that box; you qualify for a full waiver.
  • Otherwise fill in household income and expenses. Income at or below 125% of the federal poverty level qualifies for a full waiver; up to 200% can get a partial (25% to 75%) waiver.
  • File it with your Request. The clerk must accept your filing while the waiver is pending.

Open FW-CIV[16][10]

FW-CIV OrderOrder on Application for Waiver of Court FeesOptional

Goes with FW-CIV; the judge fills in the decision.

Open FW-CIV Order[16]

RequirementsWhere you live, age, criminal record, newspaper notice, hearing, background check, privacy and sealing, timeline
Where you live
You must live in Illinois and file in the circuit court of the county where you live. You must have lived in Illinois for at least 3 months by the time of your hearing or the order (you may file a little earlier).[1][2][3][4][5][13]
Age
18 or older for the adult forms. A parent or guardian files for anyone under 18 (see Minors).
Criminal record
You cannot file while serving a felony sentence (including parole) unless pardoned, and you cannot get a name change while incarcerated in prison. People required to register as a sex offender, violent offender against youth, or arsonist may petition only if the change is due to marriage, religion, trafficking survivor status, or **gender-related identity**; the judge decides. If you have any conviction or pending charge, the State's Attorney is notified and may object, and the judge may ask you to update your State Police record first.
Newspaper publication
No.

Newspaper publication for adult name changes was repealed effective March 1, 2025 (P.A. 103-1063 repealed 735 ILCS 5/21-103). This applies to every adult petition, not only gender-identity changes. Older guides that mention publication or a publication waiver are out of date.

[1][6][13][17]
Court hearing
Yes.

The statewide instructions say you will go to court, be placed under oath, and answer questions about why you want to change your name. Many courts allow remote appearance by phone or video; check with your Circuit Clerk. If you have a qualifying conviction or pending charge, the State's Attorney has 30 days to object.

[13][5]
Background check
Sometimes.

No fingerprinting for everyone. You must disclose convictions, arrests without charges, and pending charges on the Request. If you have any, the clerk sends the petition to the State's Attorney and the Illinois State Police, and the judge may require you to update your criminal history record through the State Police Access and Review process before the hearing. If granted, the name change is reported to the State Police.

[4][5]
Privacy and sealed records
Available.

Under 735 ILCS 5/21-103.8 (added March 1, 2025), you can ask the judge to impound (seal) your name change file if public disclosure would be a hardship and harm your health or safety. The law lists being transgender as an example and says self-attestation is enough. You can also leave your home address off every court document and give an alternative address if disclosure would put you or your household at risk. Even if the file is impounded, a name change for someone with a criminal record is still reported to the State Police.

File the Motion to Impound and Order to Impound together with your Request. The motion is public until the judge grants it.

[8][15][13]
How long it takes

Usually a few weeks to a few months from filing to hearing, depending on the county's calendar. You can get the signed Order the day of the hearing.

MinorsA parent or guardian files the separate minor name change forms (NC-M series: Request for Name Change, Child Information, Additional…

A parent or guardian files the separate minor name change forms (NC-M series: Request for Name Change, Child Information, Additional Children / Additional Parent if needed, Notice of Court Date, Letter to Sheriff, Statement on Trying to Provide Notice, Order). Every legal parent whose rights have not been terminated, and anyone with allocated parental responsibilities, must get actual notice and a chance to be heard; out-of-state parents can be served by mail with a return receipt at least 10 days before the hearing. The judge grants the change only if it finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that it serves the child's best interest, considering the parents' wishes, the child's wishes and reasons, the child's relationships, and adjustment to home and school. The judge may talk with the child in chambers. The Motion to Impound is available for minors too. The Transformative Justice Law Project provides free representation for minors' name changes.

[3][7][9][12][20]
After you finishStart with Social Security (bring a certified copy of the Order and photo ID; the name changes, the sex field currently cannot).

Start with Social Security (bring a certified copy of the Order and photo ID; the name changes, the sex field currently cannot). Then the Secretary of State for your driver's license or ID ($5 corrected license, $10 corrected ID; you can change the sex marker at the same visit with the Gender Designation Change Form). If you were born in Illinois, send IDPH the Affidavit and Certificate of Correction Request with a certified copy of the Order to get a new birth certificate with your new name (and new sex marker if you want). Then your passport, bank, employer, insurance, voter registration, and school records.

Tips3 tips from people who have done this
  • Illinois Legal Aid Online's free Easy Form fills in the court forms for you and lets you download or email them for e-filing.
  • If you were born in a state that requires a court order about gender to amend your birth certificate, Illinois lets you file a separate petition for a judicial finding of fact (735 ILCS 5/21-106) at the same time as your name change. That petition always gets a hearing.
  • For help by phone, call Illinois Court Help at 833-411-1121 (court process questions) or the IL Pride Connect Legal Hotline at 855-805-9200 (LGBTQIA+ legal information, English and Spanish).
Laws and other guides4 laws, 3 other guides

Laws and rules

Other trusted guides

Sources

23 sources. Numbers in the text, like [1], point here.Show all
  1. Public Act 103-1063 (HB 5164), enrolled textIllinois General Assembly, Law. accessed
    “The petitioner shall have resided in this State for 3 months at the time of the name change hearing or entry of an order granting the name change. ... Section 10. The Code of Civil Procedure is amended by repealing Section 21-103. ... This Act takes effect March 1, 2025.”
  2. Public Act 104-852, First 2026 General Revisory Act (re-enacting 735 ILCS 5/21-101)Illinois General Assembly, Law. accessed
    “If any person who is a resident of this State desires to assume another name ... The petitioner shall have resided in this State for 3 months”
  3. 735 ILCS 5/21-101, Proceedings; partiesIllinois General Assembly, Law. accessed
    “An order shall be entered as to a minor only if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the change is necessary to serve the best interest of the child.”
  4. 735 ILCS 5/21-102, Petition; update criminal history transcriptIllinois General Assembly, Law. accessed
    “The petition shall be a statewide standardized form approved by the Illinois Supreme Court”
  5. 735 ILCS 5/21-102.5, Notice; objectionIllinois General Assembly, Law. accessed
    “Objections to a petition must be filed within 30 days of the date of service of the petition upon the State's Attorney”
  6. 735 ILCS 5/21-103 (Repealed)Illinois General Assembly, Law. accessed
    “Sec. 21-103. (Repealed). (Source P.A. 103-605, eff. 7-1-24. Repealed by P.A. 103-1063, eff. 3-1-25.)”
  7. 735 ILCS 5/21-103.5, Change of name involving a minorIllinois General Assembly, Law. accessed
    “actual notice and an opportunity to be heard shall be given to any parent whose parental rights have not been previously terminated”
  8. 735 ILCS 5/21-103.8, Impounding court fileIllinois General Assembly, Law. accessed
    “to include, but not be limited to, that the person is transgender ... although self attestation shall suffice as acceptable documentation.”
  9. 735 ILCS 5/21-104, Process and notice to persons outside this StateIllinois General Assembly, Law. accessed
    “Notice under this Section shall be served, mailed, or delivered at least 10 days before any hearing in this State.”
  10. 735 ILCS 5/5-105, Waiver of court fees, costs, and chargesIllinois General Assembly, Law. accessed
    “His or her available personal income is 125% or less of the current poverty level”
  11. 705 ILCS 105/27.1b, Circuit court clerk feesIllinois General Assembly, Law. accessed
    “SCHEDULE 1 not to exceed a total of $366 in a county with a population of 3,000,000 or more and not to exceed $316 in any other county ... The fee for each certified copy of a judgment, after the first copy, shall not exceed $10.”
  12. Approved Statewide Forms, Name ChangeIllinois Supreme Court, Commission on Access to Justice, Court. accessed
    “The Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice has approved the following forms. All Illinois Courts must accept these forms.”
  13. How to Change your Name (Adult), ATJ 302.9 (03/25)Illinois Supreme Court, Form. accessed
    “Note, Publication for adult name changes has been repealed from the law as of March 1, 2025.”
  14. Request for Name Change (Adult), ATJ 303.10 (03/25)Illinois Supreme Court, Form. accessed
  15. Motion to Impound (Make Court Records Private), Name Change, ATJ 308.1 (03/25)Illinois Supreme Court, Form. accessed
    “You may attach supporting documents ... but official documentation is not required, this motion alone is enough.”
  16. Approved Statewide Forms, Fee Waiver (Civil)Illinois Supreme Court, Court. accessed
  17. County Division (name changes)Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Court. accessed
    “As of 3/1/25, per Public Act 103-1063 ... Publication will no longer be required. The residency requirement will be lowered from 6 to 3 months. Petitioners can request to impound a case based on health or safety reasons.”
  18. Adult name change FAQIllinois Legal Aid Online, Organization. accessed
    “Each county has its own fees that you can read about on their website.”
  19. Name Change MobilizationTransformative Justice Law Project of Illinois, Organization. accessed
    “Please allow 40 business days for us to schedule an appointment.”
  20. Name Change ProjectAdvocates for Trans Equality, Organization. accessed
    “We accept applications from residents of Chicago, IL (Cook County) ...”
  21. IL Pride Connect Legal HotlineIllinois Pride Connect, Organization. accessed
  22. TransLife CareChicago House and Social Service Agency, Organization. accessed