Name Change Paperwork in California

Form NC-100, Petition for Change of Name, effective July 1, 2026, is for name changes not related to gender identity. If the change relates to gender identity, the court says to use the new NC-200 instead. We prepare the form that matches the case you direct.

The court says an ordinary name change requires publishing a notice in a newspaper for one month before the judge can decide. Publication is not required when the change matches the person's gender identity or is filed with a gender recognition request.

The court says a judge decides an ordinary name change in about 2 to 3 months. A gender identity name change for an adult, and for a minor if all living parents sign, needs no hearing under a law operative July 1, 2026, and the court must grant it within six weeks of filing.

The court says that when a parent files to change a child's name without the other parent, the other parent must be served with copies of the forms. A name change does not by itself establish legal parentage. A parent who is served receives an Order to Show Cause on form NC-120 and may file a written response or objection before the hearing.

The court says that under a 2025 law, court records of gender identity name changes and gender recognition filed on or after July 1, 2026 are confidential, and the NC-200 series forms carry a confidential banner. We prepare the forms.