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Legal name change in Kentucky

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  • Page changed: Legal Forms (2026-10-05) · #135
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.
Possible

Adults in Kentucky can change their name by filing a one-page petition (AOC-295) with the Circuit Court Clerk in the county where they live. There is no newspaper publication and no fingerprinting. The fee varies by county and can be waived if you cannot afford it.

Main cost
$33, can be waived
Apply
Online 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

Under KRS 401.010, anyone 18 or older can have their name changed by the District Court of the county where they live. The process is short: you fill out the statewide petition form AOC-295, sign it in front of a notary, and file it with the Circuit Court Clerk's office (the clerk handles District Court filings too). The judge signs a Name Change Order (AOC-296).

Kentucky law does not ask why you want the change beyond a line on the form, and it does not require publication, a background check, or proof of gender transition. You do not have to say you are transgender; "to match my gender identity" or "personal preference" are both common answers.

A court name change does not change your sex marker. Kentucky's rules for the driver's license and birth certificate are separate and much stricter; see those guides.

Steps

  1. Fill out the petition (AOC-295)[6][11]

    Download AOC-295 from the Kentucky Court of Justice forms page, or use the free guided interview linked from the court's Legal Help page, which builds the form for you. Type it if possible.

  2. Sign it in front of a notary[6]

    The petition is a sworn statement and has a notary block. Bring photo ID to the notary.

  3. Ask for a fee waiver if you need one[9][12]

    Optional

    Fill out AOC-026 and file it with the petition. The clerk will not process the petition until the fee is paid or the waiver is granted.

  4. File with the Circuit Court Clerk in your county[12][13]

    Take the notarized petition (and AOC-296 if your clerk wants it) to the Circuit Court Clerk's office in the county where you live and pay the filing fee. Name changes are opened as District Court probate cases. Call ahead to ask the current fee and whether they want copies.

    Cost
    Varies district Court filing fee for a name change petition

  5. Go to the hearing if one is scheduled[12][13][14]

    The clerk may give you a hearing date. At the hearing the judge usually just confirms the information on the petition. In some counties, including Jefferson (Louisville) according to community reports, adults are not required to appear. Ask the clerk when you file.

  6. Get the signed order and certified copies; pay the recording fee[3][4][8]

    After the judge signs the Name Change Order, the Circuit Court Clerk sends a certified copy to the county clerk to be recorded, and you pay the county clerk's recording fee. Buy several certified copies from the Circuit Court Clerk for Social Security, the driver's license office, your bank, and others.

    Cost
    $33 county clerk recording fee for the name change order (up to 5 pages); Varies certified copies of the order

  7. Update your documents, starting with Social Security[8][16]

    1. Social Security (free).
    2. Driver's license or ID at a Driver Licensing Regional Office. The order itself warns you have 10 days after it is entered to apply for a corrected license (KRS 186.540). The fee is $15.
    3. Birth certificate, if you were born in Kentucky: mail a certified copy of the order to the Office of Vital Statistics (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.[9][12]

A judge may let you proceed "in forma pauperis" (without paying court costs) if you cannot pay the costs of the action. The form asks about income, benefits such as SNAP, K-TAP, SSI, KCHIP, and your expenses.

File AOC-026 with your petition. If granted, you do not pay the filing fee. The county clerk's recording fee may still be charged; ask.

AOC-026

WhatCostNotes
District Court filing fee for a name change petition[13][5][12]VariesCan be waivedVaries by countyThe fee is set by Supreme Court rule and collected by the Circuit Court Clerk. Kentucky Justice Online says it differs by county; call your clerk. No filing fee applies when a child's petition is filed inside an existing Family or Circuit Court case.
County clerk recording fee for the name change order (up to 5 pages)[4][3]$33Paid to the county clerk, not the court. Starting January 1, 2028, the Circuit Court Clerk will collect it and forward it. Not charged if the judge orders the record sealed.
Certified copies of the order[12]VariesVaries by countyAsk the clerk for the current per-copy charge.

Free help

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

  • Kentucky Justice Online (statewide legal aid portal)[13]

    Run by Kentucky's legal aid programs. Plain-language name change information and a "Help Near You" tool that routes you to your region's free legal aid office.

    • Free

  • Fayette County Legal Help Center[17]

    Volunteers help you locate and fill in court forms, including the name change petition. Thursdays 11 am to 2 pm.

    • Free
    Robert F. Stephens Circuit Courthouse, Law Library Room CB02A, 120 N. Limestone, Lexington, KY 40507

  • Kentucky Health Justice Network, Trans Health Program[18]

    Statewide group offering grants for gender-affirming care, insurance navigation, support persons, and patient guides including how to change your legal name in Kentucky. Request help through the forms on its site.

    • Free

  • TransKentucky[14]

    Lexington-based trans support and social group with a Kentucky identity documents guide. Monthly meetings; 859-448-LGBT.

    • Free
    859-448-5428

  • ACLU of Kentucky[19]

    Takes civil rights cases, including discrimination against trans people. Submit a legal assistance request online; it does not handle routine name changes.

    • Free

  • Point of Pride[20]

    National trans-led nonprofit with programs that help pay for gender-affirming care and related costs.

    • Free

More detail

Forms3 forms: AOC-295, AOC-296, AOC-026

Open a form for tips on filling it out.

Forms everyone files (1)

AOC-295Petition for Name ChangeRequired

How to fill it out

  • Check the box for "above-captioned adult".
  • Items 1 and 2: your current legal name exactly as on your ID, and the new name. Check spelling; the order copies it.
  • Item 4: city, county, and state where you were born. Item 5: your current address in the county where you file.
  • Item 6, purpose: a short, truthful reason is enough ("to reflect my gender identity" or "personal preference"). You do not need a doctor's letter.
  • Leave the "Hearing" box blank; the judge or clerk fills it in.
  • Sign in front of a notary. Many banks, libraries, and some LGBTQ organizations offer free notary service.
  • Type the form if you can; some clerks refuse handwritten forms.

Open AOC-295Official Spanish version[6][10]

Forms only some people need (2)

AOC-296Name Change OrderSometimes required: Some clerks ask you to bring a filled-in proposed order with your petition.

Some clerks ask you to bring a filled-in proposed order with your petition. Fill in the names, birth date, birthplace, and address; the judge signs it.

Open AOC-296Official Spanish version[8]

AOC-026Motion for Waiver of Costs and Fees and to Proceed In Forma Pauperis; Affidavit; Financial Statement; and OrderOptional

Only if you cannot afford the filing fee. File it with your petition.

How to fill it out

  • List your monthly income, including any public benefits (SNAP, K-TAP, SSI, KCHIP and others are listed on the form), and your monthly expenses.
  • Sign the affidavit (it is sworn). The judge decides whether to waive the fees.

Open AOC-026Official Spanish version[9][12]

RequirementsWhere you live, age, criminal record, newspaper notice, hearing, background check, privacy and sealing, timeline
Where you live
File in the county where you live. If you live on a U.S. Army post, military reservation, or fort, you can file in an adjacent county.[1][6]
Age
18 or older for the adult process. For people under 18, parents or a guardian file; see Minors.
Criminal record
There is no bar for a criminal record. The petition asks you to affirm that you are not changing your name to avoid a legal obligation or evade prosecution, and warns that identity theft is a felony (KRS 514.160).
Newspaper publication
No.

Kentucky's name change statutes (KRS 401.010 to 401.040) contain no publication requirement.

[1][3][15]
Court hearing
Sometimes.

The statute does not require a hearing for adults, but the Clerks' Manual tells clerks to schedule one and many judges hold a brief hearing. Some counties grant adult petitions without an appearance. For a child whose other parent does not sign, a hearing within 60 days of service is required by law.

[12][13][2]
Background check
No.

No fingerprints or background check. You swear on the petition that you are not changing your name to avoid a legal obligation or prosecution.

[6][13]
Privacy and sealed records
Available.

Name change orders are normally public and recorded with the county clerk. KRS 401.040 lets the judge order the record sealed or restricted, in which case it is not sent for public recording. There is no specific standard in the statute; you must ask.

File a written motion asking the court to seal the record, explaining any safety concern (for example, risk of harassment or violence). A legal aid organization can help draft it.

[3]
How long it takes

Usually a few weeks from filing to a signed order, depending on the county's hearing schedule.

MinorsBoth living parents (or the surviving parent, or a guardian) file AOC-295 for a child under 18 in District Court, or in Family Court…

Both living parents (or the surviving parent, or a guardian) file AOC-295 for a child under 18 in District Court, or in Family Court (Circuit Court in counties without one) if a case involving the family is already open. If one parent refuses or is unavailable to sign, that parent must be served with notice (AOC-295.1) and the court must hold a hearing within 60 days and decide based on the child's best interests, considering the parents' and child's wishes and other factors (KRS 401.020).

[2][7]
After you finishUpdate Social Security first, then your Kentucky driver's license or ID within 10 days (in person, $15).

Update Social Security first, then your Kentucky driver's license or ID within 10 days (in person, $15). If you were born in Kentucky, mail a certified copy of the order to the Office of Vital Statistics to amend the name on your birth certificate. Then your passport, bank, employer, insurance, and voter registration. Changing your sex marker is a separate process with stricter rules.

Tips2 tips from people who have done this
  • Kentucky's birth certificate sex-marker law requires a court order changing your name. If you ever plan to use that route, keep extra certified copies of your name change order.
  • The Fayette County Legal Help Center in Lexington (Thursdays 11 am to 2 pm, Robert F. Stephens Courthouse) helps people find and fill in court forms for free.
Laws and other guides3 laws, 3 other guides

Laws and rules

  • KRS 401.010: Adult may have name changed by District Court of county of residence
  • KRS 401.020: Name change for a child; notice and hearing if a parent does not sign
  • KRS 401.040: Certification of order to county clerk unless sealed; recording fee

Other trusted guides

Sources

20 sources. Numbers in the text, like [1], point here.Show all
  1. KRS 401.010, Adult may have name changed by District CourtKentucky Legislative Research Commission, Law. accessed
    “Any person at least eighteen (18) years of age may have his or her name changed by the District Court of the county in which he or she resides.”
  2. KRS 401.020, Parents or guardian may have child's name changedKentucky Legislative Research Commission, Law. accessed
    “The court shall conduct a hearing on the petition no later than sixty (60) days from the date of service and make findings of fact and conclusions of law based on the best interests of the child.”
  3. KRS 401.040, Certification of order for name change, fee, index kept by county clerkKentucky Legislative Research Commission, Law. accessed
    “a copy of the order shall be certified by the clerk of that court to the county clerk, for record, unless the court has ordered the record sealed or otherwise restricted from public inspection.”
  4. KRS 64.012, Fees of county clerksKentucky Legislative Research Commission, Law. accessed
    “Court ordered name change pursuant to KRS Chapter 401 ... if the entire thereof does not exceed five (5) pages ... $33.00”
  5. KRS 24A.170, Fees and costs for civil casesKentucky Legislative Research Commission, Law. accessed
    “The Supreme Court shall by rule set the filing fees and miscellaneous costs for civil cases filed in the District Court.”
  6. AOC-295, Petition for Name Change (Rev. 8-23)Kentucky Court of Justice, Form. accessed
    “Note: File this Petition in the Circuit Clerk's Office in the county in which you reside.”
  7. AOC-295.1, Notice of Hearing for Name Change (child under 18)Kentucky Court of Justice, Form. accessed
  8. AOC-296, Name Change Order (Rev. 7-26)Kentucky Court of Justice, Form. accessed
    “Pursuant to KRS 186.540, if you have applied for or are in receipt of a Kentucky driver's license, you have 10 days after entry of this Order to apply to the Transportation Cabinet for the issuance of a corrected license.”
  9. AOC-026, Motion for Waiver of Costs and Fees and to Proceed In Forma PauperisKentucky Court of Justice, Form. accessed
    “Affiant is unable to pay the costs and fees of this action and hereby requests that the Court waive them and allow Affiant to proceed in forma pauperis.”
  10. Legal FormsKentucky Court of Justice, Official page. accessed
  11. Circuit Court Clerks' Manual, section 76.7 Name ChangeKentucky Administrative Office of the Courts, Court. accessed
    “Collect filing fees as set forth in the Accounting Manual ... Schedule a hearing by completing a scheduled events screen and notify the petitioner of the hearing date.”
  12. Name changesKentucky Justice Online, Organization. accessed
    “The filing fee for a name change is different from county to county.”
  13. Identity documentsTransKentucky, Community. accessed
  14. Kentucky identity documentsAdvocates for Trans Equality, Organization. accessed
    “No publication is required.”
  15. Update or replace your credentialKentucky Transportation Cabinet, Official page. accessed
    “Name changes must be completed in person at a Driver Licensing Regional Office. A $15.00 fee applies.”
  16. Fayette County Legal Help CenterKentucky Court of Justice, Official page. accessed
  17. Trans Health ProgramKentucky Health Justice Network, Organization. accessed
  18. Request legal assistanceACLU of Kentucky, Organization. accessed
  19. Point of PrideOrganization. accessed