Trans Resource Navigator

Legal name change in Virginia

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 Part of this page may be out of date until we review it.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: Code of Virginia § 8.01-217, How name of person may be changed (2026-10-12) · #296
  • Page changed: Civil filing instructions and fee schedule, effective July 1, 2026 (2026-10-12) · #294
  • Page changed: Code of Virginia § 17.1-606 (2026-10-05) · #185
  • Page changed: Code of Virginia § 8.01-217, How name of person may be changed (2026-09-28) · #79
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 Virginia can change their name by filing a sworn application (form CC-1411) with the circuit court where they live. There is no newspaper publication, most adult petitions are decided on the papers without a hearing, and the court can seal the record if publicity would threaten your safety.

Main cost
$44, 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

Virginia Code § 8.01-217 lets any person apply to the circuit court of the city or county where they live for a name change. The court must grant it unless the change is sought for a fraudulent purpose or would infringe on the rights of others. You do not have to give a gender-related reason, and you do not need any medical letter.

You fill out a one-page sworn application (CC-1411), sign it in front of a notary or the clerk, and file it with a proposed order. There is no publication requirement for adults. In most courts a judge reviews the papers and signs the order without a hearing; a hearing happens only if the court asks for one.

The clerk records the order in the deed book and sends a copy to Vital Records and the State Police records exchange. If making the change public would put you or your family at serious risk, you can ask the court to seal the record (§ 8.01-217(G)).

Steps

  1. Fill out CC-1411 and a proposed order[2][8]

    Download CC-1411 from the Virginia courts website and get your court's proposed-order template (Fairfax publishes one; other courts provide theirs at the clerk's office). Type or print neatly on single-sided 8.5 x 11 paper.

  2. Sign the application in front of a notary or the clerk[1][2]

    The application is under oath, so sign it only in front of a notary public or a deputy clerk. Many banks and UPS stores notarize for free or a few dollars. If a safety threat makes this impossible, the chief judge can waive the oath requirement (§ 8.01-217(G)).

  3. Ask to proceed without fees if you cannot pay[4][5]

    Optional

    File CC-1414 with your application. A judge decides based on your benefits, income, and assets.

  4. File with the circuit court clerk where you live[8][9]

    Bring or mail the signed original application, copies (Fairfax asks for two photocopies), the proposed order, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and the filing fee. Fairfax charges $44 (effective July 1, 2026) and does not take personal checks: pay by cash, certified check, money order, or card. Other courts' fees are similar; call the clerk to confirm.

    Cost
    $44 circuit court filing fee, name change (Fairfax)

  5. Wait for the judge to sign the order[8][1]

    A judge reviews the papers. If anything needs fixing, the clerk contacts you by email or mail. If everything is in order, the judge signs and the clerk mails you a certified copy. A hearing is set only if the court requires one (for example, if the petition could not be notarized in your current name, or for applicants on probation or registered as sex offenders).

  6. Order extra certified copies[8]

    One certified copy comes with the order in Fairfax; each extra costs $2.50. Order at least three so you can update Social Security, the DMV, your passport, and your bank without waiting.

    Cost
    $2.50 each additional certified copy of the order (Fairfax)

  7. Update your other records, in this order[8][1]

    1. Social Security first (free; bring the certified order and photo ID).
    2. Virginia DMV license or ID (see the driver's license guide).
    3. Birth certificate: if you were born in Virginia, the clerk already sends the order to Vital Records, but you must still request and pay for new copies (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.[4][5]

A judge decides based on the public assistance you receive (TANF, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI), your income, assets, and exceptional expenses, as listed on CC-1414. Being represented by legal aid or a pro bono lawyer is also noted on the form.

File CC-1414 together with your application instead of paying the fee.

CC-1414

WhatCostNotes
Circuit court filing fee, name change (Fairfax)[9]$44Can be waivedVaries by courtFairfax Circuit Court fee schedule effective July 1, 2026. Other circuit courts may differ slightly; ask the clerk.
Each additional certified copy of the order (Fairfax)[8]$2.50Varies by court

Free help

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

More detail

Forms4 forms: CC-1411, Proposed order, CC-1427, CC-1414

Open a form for tips on filling it out.

Forms everyone files (2)

CC-1411Application for Change of Name (Adult)Required

How to fill it out

  • Court: check City or County and write the name of the circuit court where you live (for example, "Fairfax" County, "Arlington" County, "Alexandria" City).
  • In re: your current legal name. Item 1 is your birth name.
  • Item 7, reason: a short, true reason is enough, such as "to conform my name to my gender identity" or "personal preference". You do not need to explain your transition or attach medical records. If you are worried about safety, say so here and see the sealing section.
  • Items 8 to 11: answer the felony, incarceration, probation, and sex-offender-registry questions honestly.
  • Item 12: list earlier name changes (including by marriage) and attach proof.
  • Sign only in front of a notary or a deputy clerk; the application is sworn. The Spanish version is a translation to help you read it; file the English form.

Open CC-1411Official Spanish version[2][6]

Proposed orderProposed order changing name (court-specific)Required

Virginia has no statewide order form. Most circuit courts want a proposed order filed with the application; Fairfax publishes a fillable petition-and-order packet. For other courts, ask the clerk for their template. By law the order may contain only your former name(s), new name, and current address.

Open Proposed order[7][8][1]

Forms only some people need (2)

CC-1427Application for Change of Name (Minor)Sometimes required: Only for a person under 18. A second parent can sign the joint-application box on page…

Only for a person under 18. A second parent can sign the joint-application box on page two.

Open CC-1427Official Spanish version[3]

CC-1414Petition for Proceeding in Civil Case Without Payment of Fees or CostsOptional

Only if you cannot afford the filing fee.

How to fill it out

  • Check the public assistance you receive (TANF, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI) and the amount, or check that you receive none.
  • Check the box if a legal aid organization or pro bono lawyer represents you.
  • Fill in income (A), liquid assets (B), and exceptional expenses (C). The judge decides based on these numbers.
  • Sign and file it with your application.

Open CC-1414[4][5]

RequirementsWhere you live, age, criminal record, newspaper notice, hearing, background check, privacy and sealing, timeline
Where you live
File in the circuit court of the Virginia city or county where you live. If you have no home, you may apply to any circuit court, which will hear the application if it finds good cause. A person who is incarcerated may apply where they are incarcerated.[1][2]
Age
18 or older uses CC-1411. For anyone under 18, a parent, guardian, or next friend files CC-1427 (see Minors).
Criminal record
You must list any felony convictions. If you are on probation, incarcerated, or required to register as a sex offender, the court accepts the application only if it finds good cause, notifies the Commonwealth's attorney (who has 30 days to respond), and holds a hearing. A felony record alone does not bar a name change.
Newspaper publication
No.

Virginia law does not require adults to publish a name change in a newspaper. Publication comes up only in a minor's case when a non-consenting parent cannot be found and must be served by an order of publication.

[1][8]
Court hearing
Sometimes.

The statute provides for a hearing "if such be demanded". In practice most adult petitions are granted on the papers. A hearing is required for applicants who are on probation, incarcerated, or on the sex offender registry, and in minors' cases when a parent objects. Fairfax also notes that a hearing may be needed if you cannot get the petition notarized in your current legal name.

[1][8]
Background check
Sometimes.

No fingerprinting. You swear to your felony record and registry, probation, and incarceration status on the application, and the clerk sends the order to the Central Criminal Records Exchange. Applicants on probation, incarcerated, or on the sex offender registry face the extra good-cause review, prosecutor notice, and hearing.

[1][2]
Privacy and sealed records
Available.

Name change orders are normally public: the clerk records the order in the deed book, indexed under both names. Under § 8.01-217(G), if you show that making the change public would create a serious threat to your or your immediate family's health or safety, the court may seal the record, not record or index the order, and not send it to Vital Records or the criminal records exchange. The chief judge can also waive the oath requirement.

Explain the threat in your application (item 7 or a supplemental sheet) and ask in writing that the court seal the record under Va. Code § 8.01-217(G). Attach any supporting documents, such as a protective order or police report. If the record is sealed, the order is not sent to Vital Records, so you will need to send it yourself to update a Virginia birth certificate.

[1]
How long it takes

Usually a few weeks from filing to a signed order when no hearing is needed; longer if a hearing is set or a parent must be served.

MinorsA parent, guardian, or next friend files CC-1427 in the circuit court where the child lives.

A parent, guardian, or next friend files CC-1427 in the circuit court where the child lives. If both parents are living and both sign (each signature notarized), most courts decide without a hearing. If one parent does not join, that parent must be formally served under § 8.01-296; if they object, the court holds a hearing and grants the change only if it is in the child's best interest. If a parent cannot be found, the court can order service by publication (Fairfax uses The Washington Times, four weeks, about $30). A judge can waive notice to the other parent after an ex parte hearing if notice would present a serious threat to the child's health and safety.

[1][3][8]
After you finishStart with Social Security (bring the certified order and photo ID).

Start with Social Security (bring the certified order and photo ID). Then the Virginia DMV (online or in person; $20 for a replacement license). If you were born in Virginia, request new birth certificates from VDH Vital Records ($10 administrative fee plus $15 per copy when changing the sex marker). Then your passport, bank, employer, insurance, voter registration, and school records.

Tips3 tips from people who have done this
  • The court must grant the change unless it is fraudulent or infringes on others' rights. "To conform my name to my gender identity" is a sufficient reason.
  • Courthouse staff cannot give legal advice, but they can tell you the exact fee and whether the court wants a proposed order.
  • Whitman-Walker Health's free legal team helps Virginia residents with name and gender changes, including help seeking assistance with court fees.
Laws and other guides2 laws, 2 other guides

Laws and rules

Other trusted guides

Sources

14 sources. Numbers in the text, like [1], point here.Show all
  1. Code of Virginia § 8.01-217, How name of person may be changedVirginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System, Law. accessed
    “If the applicant shall show cause to believe that in the event his change of name should become a public record, a serious threat to the health or safety of the applicant or his immediate family would exist, ... the court may order the record sealed”
  2. Form CC-1411, Application for Change of Name (Adult), rev. 07/26Supreme Court of Virginia, Form. accessed
    “I further certify under oath that this name change is not sought for any fraudulent purposes and will not infringe upon the rights of others”
  3. Form CC-1427, Application for Change of Name (Minor), rev. 07/26Supreme Court of Virginia, Form. accessed
  4. Form CC-1414, Petition for Proceeding in Civil Case Without Payment of Fees or Costs, rev. 07/26Supreme Court of Virginia, Form. accessed
  5. Code of Virginia § 17.1-606Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System, Law. accessed
  6. Circuit court civil formsVirginia's Judicial System, Court. accessed
    “CC-1411 Application for Change of Name (Adult); Spanish Translation of CC-1411”
  7. Name change informationFairfax Circuit Court, Court. accessed
  8. Name change brochure (CCR-A-160, revised July 2026)Fairfax Circuit Court Clerk's Office, Court. accessed
    “Your Petition for Name Change and proposed Order will be sent to a Judge, for review. If everything is acceptable, the Judge will sign the Order.”
  9. Civil filing instructions and fee schedule, effective July 1, 2026Fairfax Circuit Court, Court. accessed
    “Name Change $44.00”
  10. Virginia Transgender Resource and Referral List (updated September 17, 2026)Virginia Department of Health, Official page. accessed
  11. Fees, pro bono and sliding scale assistanceLaw Office of Bary W. Hausrath, PLLC, Organization. accessed
  12. GenderbandsOrganization. accessed