Trans Resource Navigator

Legal name change in New Hampshire

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.
Sometimes
Court hearing
Sometimes
Sealed recordA court file that is kept confidential and not available to the public.
Not offered

Adults in New Hampshire can change their name by e-filing a petition with the Circuit Court, Probate Division, in the county where they live. There is no statutory publication requirement, most petitions are granted without a hearing, and the filing fee (about $170) can be reduced or waived if you cannot afford it.

Main cost
$170, can be waived
Apply
Online
Typical wait
about 45 days

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 RSA 547:3-i, the Probate Division of the Circuit Court "may grant the petition of any person to change the name of that person," and may proceed with or without notice. You do not have to give a reason tied to gender, submit medical records, or get anyone's consent (for adults).

E-filing is mandatory for name changes: self-represented people file through the court's online system (TurboCourt) at courts.nh.gov. You file the Petition for Change of Name (NHJB-2175-FPe), a Confidential Information Sheet (NHJB-2878-DFPe), and proof of identity showing your current name and address. Most petitions are decided on the papers within about 45 days.

People who are incarcerated, on probation or parole, registered as sex offenders, or convicted of certain violent felonies must make a "compelling showing" and serve the petition on prosecutors; everyone else follows the standard process.

Steps

  1. Gather what you need[2][3]

    • A photo ID (or other proof of identity) showing your current name and residential address, scanned or photographed for upload.
    • An email address for the e-filing account.
    • A way to pay the filing fee online, or the fee-waiver motion if you cannot pay.

  2. File the petition online with the Probate Division[3][6]

    Go to courts.nh.gov, choose electronic filing for self-represented parties, and start a new name change case in the Circuit Court, Probate Division, for your county. The system walks you through the Petition for Change of Name and the Confidential Information Sheet. Upload your ID and pay the fee. If you cannot use a computer, public kiosks are available at courthouses; paper filing requires permission from the court.

    Cost
    $170 probate Division filing fee, petition for change of name

  3. Ask to reduce or waive the fee if you cannot pay[4][6]

    Optional

    File the Motion to Reduce or Eliminate Filing Fees and/or Costs with your petition, with information about your income, benefits, and expenses. A judge decides.

  4. Wait for the court's decision[1][6]

    Most adult petitions are granted on the papers without a hearing. The court can schedule a hearing or order notice if it has questions or someone objects. Watch your email and e-filing account for notices.

    Time
    about 45 days

  5. Get certified copies of the order[6]

    Once the judge signs the Certificate of Change of Name, request several certified copies (5 or more is common) from the court. Social Security, the DMV, the passport agency, and banks usually want a certified copy. There is a fee per copy.

  6. Update your other documents, in this order[6][7]

    1. Social Security first (free). The New Hampshire DMV expects your SSA record to be updated before it changes your license.
    2. NH DMV license or ID, in person by appointment, within 30 days (see the driver's license guide).
    3. Birth certificate through the clerk of the town or city where you were born, if born in New Hampshire.
    4. Passport, bank, employer, insurance, voter registration, school records.

Costs and fee waivers

Can’t afford it? You may not have to pay.[4][6]

A judge may reduce or eliminate court fees if you show you cannot afford them. Include income, public benefits you receive (for example Medicaid or SNAP), and household expenses.

File the motion with your petition through the e-filing system.

NHJB-3234-DFP

WhatCostNotes
Probate Division filing fee, petition for change of name[6][5]$170Can be waivedFigure reported by A4TE (December 2025) after the July 1, 2025 court fee increase. Confirm the current amount on the court's fee schedule or with the clerk.

Free help

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

More detail

Forms3 forms: NHJB-2175-FPe, NHJB-2878-DFPe, NHJB-3234-DFP

Open a form for tips on filling it out.

Forms everyone files (2)

NHJB-2175-FPePetition for Change of Name (adult or minor), e-filing versionRequired

How to fill it out

  • Check Adult or Minor at the top.
  • Item 3: your current legal name. Your date of birth goes on the Confidential Information Sheet, not the petition.
  • Item 4: your new full name, and the reason. A short reason such as "to reflect my gender identity" or "this is the name I use" is enough; you do not need medical details.
  • Item 7: check the box that says the criminal-history paragraphs do not apply, unless one does.
  • Item 8: you must upload proof of identity showing your current name and address.
  • Sign electronically (/s/) under the verification.

Open NHJB-2175-FPe[2]

NHJB-2878-DFPeConfidential Information SheetRequired

Holds your date of birth and any confidential case information so it stays out of the public petition. Get it through the e-filing system or the court's name change page.

Open NHJB-2878-DFPe[2][3]

Forms only some people need (1)

NHJB-3234-DFPMotion to Reduce or Eliminate Filing Fees and/or CostsOptional

Only if you cannot afford the filing fee.

Open NHJB-3234-DFP[6][4]

RequirementsWhere you live, age, criminal record, newspaper notice, hearing, background check, privacy and sealing, timeline
Where you live
File in the Circuit Court, Probate Division, for the New Hampshire county where you live.[1][2]
Age
18 or older files for themself. For a minor, a parent or guardian files; see the Minors section.
Criminal record
If you are incarcerated, on probation or parole, required to register as a sex offender or offender against children, or were convicted of a listed violent felony or a crime against a child, you must make a "compelling showing" that the change is necessary and serve the petition on the prosecuting agency (and the Department of Corrections or Department of Safety). Victims may be notified and heard.
Newspaper publication
Sometimes.

New Hampshire law does not require newspaper publication. RSA 547:3-i lets the court "proceed with or without notice," so a judge could order notice in an unusual case, but adult petitions are normally decided without publication.

[1][6]
Court hearing
Sometimes.

Usually no hearing. A hearing is scheduled if someone objects or the judge wants more information, and in cases involving criminal history under RSA 547:3-i, II.

[1][6]
Background check
Sometimes.

No fingerprints. The petition asks whether you are incarcerated, on probation or parole, on the sex offender registry, or convicted of a listed violent felony or crime against a child; if so, you must serve the prosecuting agency and make a compelling showing.

[1][2]
Privacy and sealed records
Not available.

Your date of birth and certain case information go on the Confidential Information Sheet, which is not public. The petition itself is a court record. No statute provides automatic sealing for gender-related name changes; if publicity would put you at risk, ask a legal aid organization about filing a motion to seal or limit access.

[2]
How long it takes

About 45 days from filing to a decision in most cases, then a week or two to get certified copies and update Social Security and the DMV.

MinorsA parent or guardian files the same petition (check Minor).

A parent or guardian files the same petition (check Minor). All known legal parents must consent: both can sign as petitioners, or a non-filing parent signs a consent form. A parent who lives at the same address, has died, or whose rights were terminated does not need to sign. If a parent will not consent, that parent must be given notice and the court may hold a hearing. A child 14 or older also signs the consent. The judge decides based on the child's best interests.

[6][2]
After you finishStart with Social Security (bring the certified order and photo ID; the name changes, the sex field currently cannot).

Start with Social Security (bring the certified order and photo ID; the name changes, the sex field currently cannot). Then the NH DMV within 30 days, in person by appointment (a replacement license for a name change is free). If you were born in New Hampshire, send the clerk of your birth town or city the amendment application, a certified copy of the order, a copy of your ID, and the $10 amendment fee. Then your passport, bank, employer, insurance, and voter registration.

Tips2 tips from people who have done this
  • If you also want to change the sex on a New Hampshire birth certificate, ask the court at the same time for an order directing the town or city clerk to change it; see the birth certificate guide.
  • GLAD Law's Transgender ID Project gives free help to New Hampshire residents and has a step-by-step quick reference guide.
Laws and other guides1 law, 2 other guides

Laws and rules

Other trusted guides

Sources

11 sources. Numbers in the text, like [1], point here.Show all
  1. RSA 547:3-i, Change of nameNew Hampshire General Court, Law. accessed
    “The probate court may grant the petition of any person to change the name of that person or the name of another person. The court shall not require the petitioner to obtain consents to the name change. The court may proceed with or without notice”
  2. NHJB-2175-FPe, Petition for Change of Name (rev. 03/26/2026), read via Wayback Machine copy of 2026-04-09New Hampshire Judicial Branch, Form. accessed
    “I understand that proof of identity must be filed with this petition in order for it to be granted.”
  3. Name Changes (read via Wayback Machine copy of 2026-09-22)New Hampshire Judicial Branch, Official page. accessed
    “Electronic Filing is mandatory in name change cases at all probate division locations. Self-represented litigants will use the program TurboCourt.”
  4. How to request to pay a lower fee or file for freeNew Hampshire Judicial Branch, Official page. accessed
  5. Supreme Court Issues Order Changing Fees for Court Filings and Record Checks (read via Wayback Machine)New Hampshire Judicial Branch, Official page. accessed
    “The fee increases will take effect on Tuesday July 1, 2025”
  6. New Hampshire Identity Documents (last updated December 2025)Advocates for Trans Equality, Organization. accessed
    “Name Change (Adult) Yes. A hearing is not typically required. Publication in a newspaper is not required.”
  7. Update Personal Information (read via Wayback Machine copy of 2026-09-06)New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, Official page. accessed
  8. Transgender ID ProjectGLAD Law, Organization. accessed
  9. New Hampshire Legal AssistanceOrganization. accessed
  10. New Hampshire Bar AssociationOrganization. accessed