Trans Resource Navigator

Legal name change in Vermont

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 Part of this page may be out of date until we review it.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: 15 V.S.A. § 816, Amendment of birth certificate (2026-10-05) · #190
  • Page changed: Application to Waive Filing Fees and Service Costs (2026-09-28) · #84
  • Page changed: Name Changes (2026-09-28) · #83
  • Page changed: Court fees (2026-09-28) · #82
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.
Not offered

Vermont adults can change their name by filing a one-page petition (form 700-00122) in the probate court of the county where they live. The fee is $150 (waivable), there is no newspaper publication, and you attend a short hearing in person or by video.

Main cost
$150, 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

Under 15 V.S.A. § 811, an adult may change their name by signing a name change instrument before the judge of the Probate Division of the Superior Court in the county where they live. In practice you file the Petition of Adult to Change Name (700-00122), the court schedules a short hearing, and the judge signs the order. You do not need to give a reason, and there is no gender-specific form: the same petition works for everyone.

Vermont repealed its newspaper publication requirement in 2004, so nothing about your name change is published. The court does check the Sex Offender Registry for every petitioner (15 V.S.A. § 817); there are no fingerprints.

Changing your gender marker does not require a court order in Vermont. See the driver's license and birth certificate guides.

Steps

  1. Fill out the petition[2][6]

    Complete form 700-00122 (adults) or 700-00123 (minors). The court may also ask for a certified copy of your birth certificate and a copy of a photo ID; call your probate court to check before you file. VTLawHelp.org also offers a guided online interview for the fee waiver form.

  2. File with the probate court and pay or ask for a waiver[2][4]

    File in person, by mail, or by email with the Probate Division in your county. Pay the $150 fee, or attach the Application to Waive Filing Fees (600-00228). Keep a date-stamped copy for yourself.

    Cost
    $150 petition for change of name

  3. Attend the short hearing[2][6][3]

    The court mails you a hearing date. The hearing can be in person or by video. There is no opposing party; the judge may ask a few questions, such as confirming no one is forcing you to change your name, and then signs the instrument with you.

  4. Get certified copies of the order[2][5][6]

    Ask for several certified copies so you can update agencies at the same time. Later copies can be requested with the Request for Access to Court Record form, writing the case name as "In re New Name (formerly Old Name)".

    Cost
    $5 certified copy of the order

Costs and fee waivers

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

You qualify if you receive any public assistance, your gross income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, or the court finds you cannot pay without giving up money you need to support yourself and your dependents.

File the application with your petition. If it is denied you have 30 days to pay, or 7 days to appeal in writing to the presiding judge.

Application to Waive Filing Fees and Service Costs

WhatCostNotes
Petition for change of name[5][2]$150Can be waived
Certified copy of the order[5][6]$5The court fee schedule also lists "instrument changing name (issuance of two certified copies)" as no fee; ask the clerk whether two copies come with your order.

Free help

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

More detail

Forms3 forms

Open a form for tips on filling it out.

Forms everyone files (1)

Petition of Adult to Change NameRequired

How to fill it out

  • Current Full Legal Name: your name exactly as it is now. Put your county as the court "Unit." Leave the case number blank.
  • Born at / on: your town or city and state of birth, and date of birth.
  • Name I wish to be known by: first, middle, and last. There is no box for a reason; you do not need to explain why.
  • Do you want your birth certificate changed? Check YES only if you were born in Vermont and want the court to send the change to Vital Records. If you were born elsewhere, check NO and update your birth certificate with your birth state yourself.
  • Sign and date, and add a mailing address, phone, and email so the court can send you the hearing notice. The bottom section is signed by the judge at the hearing.

Open the form[3][2][6]

Forms only some people need (2)

Application to Waive Filing Fees and Service CostsSometimes required: Only if you cannot afford the $150 filing fee.

Open the form[4]

Petition to Change Name of MinorSometimes required: For a child under 18. Includes sections for the non-petitioning parent's consent and the…

For a child under 18. Includes sections for the non-petitioning parent's consent and the minor's consent if over 14.

Open the form[2]

RequirementsWhere you live, age, criminal record, newspaper notice, hearing, background check, privacy and sealing, timeline
Where you live
File in the Probate Division of the Superior Court in the county of your legal physical residence in Vermont.[1][2]
Age
Adults (18 and older) file for themselves. For anyone under 18, a parent or guardian files (see Minors).
Criminal record
If you are on the Vermont Sex Offender Registry, the court may not grant the change unless it finds a compelling purpose, after letting the Department of Public Safety appear. Other criminal history does not bar a name change.
Newspaper publication
No.

Vermont does not require newspaper publication for an adult name change. The former publication statute (15 V.S.A. § 815) was repealed in 2004.

[1][7]
Court hearing
Yes.

The court schedules a hearing and notifies you by mail. You may appear in person or by video, and the judge acknowledges your signature on the instrument.

[2][3]
Background check
Yes.

The court asks the Department of Public Safety whether your name is on the Sex Offender Registry. This happens automatically; there are no fingerprints and no general criminal background check.

[1][3]
Privacy and sealed records
Not available.

Vermont has no law that automatically seals name change records, and we could not confirm a specific sealing procedure. If you have safety concerns, ask the court to limit access using the General Motion (700-00300) and talk to a lawyer first.

[2]
How long it takes

Usually a few weeks to two months from filing to hearing, depending on the county's calendar.

MinorsA parent or guardian files the Petition to Change Name of Minor (700-00123) in the county where the child lives.

A parent or guardian files the Petition to Change Name of Minor (700-00123) in the county where the child lives. If the other parent agrees, they sign the Non-Petitioning Parent section. If they do not agree or cannot be found, you must list their address (or describe your efforts to find them) and have the petition served on them, usually by certified mail, then file a Certificate of Service; publication in a newspaper is possible only as an alternative method of service with the court's permission. A child over 14 must consent in court. The court holds a hearing.

[1][2]
After you finishWith certified copies of your order, update records in this order: Selective Service within 10 days if it applies to you, then your Vermont…

With certified copies of your order, update records in this order: Selective Service within 10 days if it applies to you, then your Vermont birth certificate (if you checked YES on the petition the court may send it; otherwise send the order to Vital Records), then Social Security, then the DMV (the DMV will not process a name change until SSA records match), then your passport, banks, employer, insurance, and voter registration.

Tips2 tips from people who have done this
  • You can change your gender marker in Vermont without a court order, so there is no need to ask the probate court for a gender order.
  • The Judiciary's Access and Resource Center helps with forms by phone at 802-879-1185 or selfhelp@vtcourts.gov.
Laws and other guides2 laws, 1 other guide

Laws and rules

Other trusted guides

Sources

9 sources. Numbers in the text, like [1], point here.Show all
  1. 15 V.S.A. chapter 13, Change of NameVermont General Assembly, Law. accessed
    “the name of the minor, if over 14 years of age, shall not be changed without his or her consent given in court. ... § 815. Repealed. 2003, No. 88 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.”
  2. Name ChangesVermont Judiciary, Court. accessed
    “There is a $150 fee to file a name change petition. ... The court will schedule a hearing with the judge, and will notify you of the hearing date by mail.”
  3. Form 700-00122, Petition of Adult to Change Name (06/2026)Vermont Judiciary, Form. accessed
    “Do you want your birth certificate changed? YES NO ... by Personal Appearance OR Virtual Video”
  4. Application to Waive Filing Fees and Service CostsVermont Judiciary, Court. accessed
    “your gross income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines”
  5. Court feesVermont Judiciary, Court. accessed
    “Petition for change of name: $150.00, 32 V.S.A. § 1434(a)(17). Official certificate (Certified Copy): $5.00”
  6. Name and Gender Marker Changes in VermontVTLawHelp.org, Organization. accessed
    “Once the Order Changing Name is issued, you can get a certified copy for a $5 fee at the courthouse.”
  7. Vermont identity documentsAdvocates for Trans Equality, Organization. accessed
    “No publication is required.”
  8. ACLU of VermontOrganization. accessed
  9. Trans LifelineOrganization. accessed