Trans Resource Navigator

Legal name change in Rhode Island

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

Rhode Island adults can change their name for any reason except fraud by petitioning the probate court of the city or town where they live. There is no newspaper publication, and the court must seal the record if an open record would put you at risk, including because you are transgender. Most courts want a background check and hold a short hearing.

Main cost
$5, can be waived
Apply
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

In Rhode Island, name changes are handled by the probate court of your city or town (every city and town has its own; Providence's is on the fifth floor of City Hall). Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-22-28, the court must grant the change unless it is sought for fraud, may not require publication or public notice, and may require a criminal background check.

You fill out one form, the statewide PC-8.1 Change of Name petition, sign it in front of a notary, and file it with a certified copy of your birth certificate, proof of address, and a background check (BCI) report. The court then schedules a short hearing, usually within a couple of weeks. Fees are low: Providence charges $39, which includes one certified copy.

Since 2024 the law also says the court shall seal the record, on your request, if an open record would jeopardize your safety, and it must consider the risk of violence or discrimination you face as a transgender person. You do not need to show past threats.

The easiest way to prepare the paperwork is Namesake (namesake.fyi), a free tool that fills out the Rhode Island forms and walks you through each step.

Steps

  1. Gather your documents[4][5]

    • A certified copy of your birth certificate (from the state where you were born).
    • Proof of address in your city or town: a Rhode Island ID showing the address, or a utility bill or lease going back about 6 months.
    • Any earlier name-change order.
    • A valid photo ID for the notary.

  2. Get a BCI background check from the Attorney General[4][5][1]

    Most probate courts want an original background check (BCI report) from the Rhode Island Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Identification, 4 Howard Ave, Cranston. Providence requires one no older than 60 days.

    You can go in person (weekdays 8:30 am to 4:30 pm) or mail a notarized authorization, a copy of your photo ID, a $5 check or money order payable to "BCI", and a stamped return envelope. Results by mail take about 1 to 3 weeks. Ask your court whether it runs the check itself.

    Cost
    $5 bCI background check (Attorney General)
    Time
    same day in person; 1 to 3 weeks by mail

  3. Fill out PC-8.1 and sign it before a notary[5][3]

    Namesake can fill the form for you. Banks, some libraries, and UPS stores offer notary service, often free or about $10.

    Form
    PC-8.1

  4. File at your city or town probate court[1][2][4][5]

    Bring or mail the petition, birth certificate, proof of address, and BCI report to the probate court where you live, with the filing fee (check or money order in Providence). If you cannot afford the fee, ask the clerk for an affidavit of indigency; the law lets the court waive or reduce costs.

    If you want the record sealed, ask when you file.

    Cost
    $39-$50 probate court filing fee (includes one certified copy in Providence)

  5. Go to your hearing[4][5][1]

    The court gives you a date, usually within about two weeks. Providence hears name changes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 am and usually takes them first. The judge may ask a question or two; the law says the change must be granted unless it is for fraud. If you asked for sealing, the court may call you last for privacy.

    Time
    about 2 weeks after filing

  6. Get certified copies of the decree[4]

    Get several certified copies; Social Security, the DMV, the passport agency, and banks each want one. Providence includes one and charges $5 for each extra copy.

    Cost
    $5 extra certified copy of the decree (Providence, each)

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

    1. Social Security first (free). Wait at least 24 hours before going to the DMV.
    2. DMV license or ID (see the driver's license guide).
    3. Birth certificate if you were born in Rhode Island (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.[1][5][12]

The law says court costs may be waived or reduced if you are indigent or show a limited ability to pay.

Ask the probate court clerk for an affidavit of indigency and file it with your petition. MTPC's Identity Document Assistance network may also help pay or reimburse fees for New England residents.

WhatCostNotes
Probate court filing fee (includes one certified copy in Providence)[4][5][1]$39-$50Can be waivedVaries by courtProvidence charges $39. Namesake reports about $40 to $50 at other probate courts and about $130 in Superior Court.
BCI background check (Attorney General)[5]$5Fee reported by Namesake for mail requests; confirm with the Attorney General's office.
Extra certified copy of the decree (Providence, each)[4]$5Varies by court

Free help

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

  • Namesake[5]

    Free tool that fills out the Rhode Island court petition and walks you through the BCI check, filing, hearing, DMV, and birth certificate. Community chat on Discord.

    • Free

  • GLAD Law, Transgender ID Project[10]

    Free legal assistance with name and gender marker changes for people living in New England, with pro bono law firm partners. Online intake form; GLAD Law Answers at 800-455-GLAD.

    • Free
    800-455-4523

  • Project Weber/RENEW[7][5]

    Peer-led harm reduction organization in Providence that helps organize name change clinics in Rhode Island and supports people seeking sealed records because of safety concerns.

    • Free
    • Community reported

  • TGI Network of Rhode Island, Documentation Changes guide[11]

    Self-help guide to name and document changes in Rhode Island, plus peer support groups.

    • Free

  • MTPC Identity Document Assistance Network[12]

    Guidance and financial assistance for trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive people in New England updating their name or gender on documents. Not legal representation.

    • Free

  • Rhode Island Legal Services[13]

    Statewide civil legal aid for low-income Rhode Islanders, with offices in Providence and Newport. Whether it currently takes name-change cases was not confirmed; call to ask.

    • Free
    401-274-265256 Pine St, 4th Floor, Providence, RI 02903

More detail

Forms1 form: PC-8.1

Open a form for tips on filling it out.

PC-8.1Change of Name petition and decree (Probate Court form PC-8.1)Required

How to fill it out

  • Reason for Name Change: the form says "be specific", but the law requires the court to grant any change not sought for fraud. "To match my gender identity" is fine; Namesake notes that "preferred name" or "more aligned with who I am" also works if you would rather not mention being trans.
  • If applicable, the name on the birth record should be changed to: fill this in if you were born in Rhode Island and want your birth certificate updated too.
  • List every address you have lived at as the form asks, and attach any earlier name-change order.
  • Do not sign until you are in front of a notary. Providence requires a wet-ink signature; electronic notarization is not accepted.
  • The second page is the decree the judge signs. Leave it blank.
  • To ask for sealing, tell the clerk when you file; Namesake reports that courts use a separate miscellaneous petition for this (see Confidentiality).

Open PC-8.1[3][4][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 city or town where you live. Courts ask for proof of address; Namesake and the Providence court's instructions indicate about 6 months of residence. A shelter address can be used.[1][2][4][5]
Age
18 or older for the adult process. A parent or guardian petitions for a minor; see the Minors section.
Criminal record
A criminal record does not bar a name change. The court may require a background check, and Namesake reports that people with a record may be directed to Superior Court instead of probate court.
Newspaper publication
No.

Since June 17, 2024, the law forbids courts from requiring public notice or publication before approving an adult's name change.

[1]
Court hearing
Yes.

Probate courts generally hold a short hearing. The PC-8.1 decree is entered "upon hearing". Providence holds name-change hearings Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 am.

[3][4]
Background check
Sometimes.

The law lets the court require a criminal history check, and most probate courts do, including Providence. It is a name-based state BCI report from the Attorney General, not a fingerprint submission to the court.

[1][4]
Privacy and sealed records
Available.

Name-change records are public by default. Under § 33-22-28(g), the court shall seal the record, including docket entries, at your request or on its own, if an open record would jeopardize your safety based on the totality of the circumstances. The court must consider the risk of violence or discrimination, including your status as transgender, and may not deny sealing only because you have no history of specific threats.

Ask the clerk when you file. Namesake reports courts use a miscellaneous petition stating "I request the court seal the record on this case due to" your safety concern; cite R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-22-28(g).

[1][5]
How long it takes

About 2 to 5 weeks from start to finish, including the background check (same day in person, 1 to 3 weeks by mail) and a hearing about two weeks after filing.

MinorsA parent or guardian files the PC-8.1 petition for a child.

A parent or guardian files the PC-8.1 petition for a child. A4TE reports that all known legal parents must be notified: both can sign as petitioners, the other parent can file a consent, or a parent who does not consent must be formally served. The judge decides based on the child's best interests. RIDOH also accepts a Family Court name-change order for children under 18. Call your probate court or Family Court (401-458-3100) for local forms.

[8][9]
After you finishWith your certified decree: update Social Security first, wait 24 hours, then the DMV, then your Rhode Island birth certificate (if born…

With your certified decree: update Social Security first, wait 24 hours, then the DMV, then your Rhode Island birth certificate (if born here), then your passport, bank, employer, and insurance. Namesake has Rhode Island guides for each state step.

Tips3 tips from people who have done this
  • You do not have to say you are trans on the petition. The court must grant any change that is not for fraud.
  • Order extra certified copies when the decree is signed; it is cheaper and faster than coming back.
  • If you were born in Rhode Island, fill in the "name on the birth record should be changed to" line so the same decree covers your birth certificate.
Laws and other guides2 laws, 3 other guides

Laws and rules

Other trusted guides

Sources

13 sources. Numbers in the text, like [1], point here.Show all
  1. R.I. Gen. Laws § 33-22-28, Name changeRhode Island General Assembly, Law. accessed
    “The change of name of a person shall be granted unless such change is sought for fraudulent purposes.”
  2. R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-9-9, General probate jurisdictionRhode Island General Assembly, Law. accessed
    “Every probate court shall have jurisdiction in the town or city in which it is established ... of change of names of persons”
  3. PC-8.1 Change of Name (Rev. 07/17)Rhode Island Probate Court, Form. accessed
    “Attach certified copy of the original birth certificate and BCI report.”
  4. Instructions for Name ChangesProvidence Probate Court, Court. accessed
    “Fee: $39.00 check or money order. This includes 1 certified copy of the name change. Additional copies are $5.00 each”
  5. Rhode Island Court OrderNamesake, Organization. accessed
    “Filing costs vary from court to court, but are around $40-50 for Probate Court, and $130 for Superior Court.”
  6. Rhode Island State IDNamesake, Organization. accessed
    “Wait at least 24 hours for changes at Social Security to become effective.”
  7. Rhode Island support, easier contribution, and a Pride fundraiserNamesake, Organization. accessed
    “Jinwoo Pang at Project WEBER/Renew, who helps organize name change clinics in Rhode Island”
  8. Rhode Island Identity DocumentsAdvocates for Trans Equality, Organization. accessed
    “Notification of all known and legal parents is required to grant a minor name change.”
  9. Requirements and Fees for Changes to Birth, Marriage, or Death RecordsRhode Island Department of Health, Official page. accessed
    “A Family Court order is acceptable for children younger than 18.”
  10. Transgender ID ProjectGLAD Law, Organization. accessed
  11. Documentation ChangesTGI Network of RI, Organization. accessed
  12. Identity Document Assistance (IDA) NetworkMassachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, Organization. accessed
  13. Rhode Island Legal ServicesOrganization. accessed