How to Change the Name of an Adult

TC-FM-GI2-200, Gender Marker AND Name Change Info Sheet w/FAQs Page 1 of 4

Travis County Law Library March 2017

What are the steps to change my name AND

sex/gender marker in Travis County, Texas?

These instructions are to change your sex/gender identifier and name on Texas state records only. If you

want to just change your sex/gender identifier (and not your name), there are separate instructions and

forms for that. Note: These forms are intended for use in Travis County, Texas.

The Final Order to Change the Name and Sex/Gender Identifier of an Adult is a court order that tells

agencies and departments within the court’s jurisdiction to change your name and sex/gender identifier on

official documents and licenses. It does not take away any legal rights or responsibilities or debts you had

under your original name. It does not grant any new rights. Changing your name and identifier will NOT

allow you to escape civil or criminal responsibility of your creditors. You will still be held responsible for any

debts you have under your original name.

Step 1. Fill out two forms.

Petition to Change the Name and Sex/Gender

Identifier of an Adult. This form asks the judge to

order agencies to change your name and identifier

on official documents.

- and-

Final Order to Change the Name and Sex /Gender

Identifier of an Adult. The judge signs this form to

order the agencies to change your name identifier

on official documents.

Note: When filling out both the Petition and the

Order, use your current name and sex/gender as

they appear now on your birth certificate or your

social security card.

Where do I get the forms?

You can print forms from the Law Library’s website at

www.TravisCountyLawLibrary.org

If you have a low income, you can ask to waive the

court filing fees by filing a Statement of Inability to

Afford Payment of Court Costs form. This form is

also on the website.

Step 2. Gather the additional paperwork.

You will need a letter from a mental health

professional and/or medical doctor. The letter

should state:

1, that the writer has examined you,

2. your diagnosis, and

3. that granting a change of gender/sex marker is

in your best interest.

You may also need this paperwork:

• A Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of

Court Costs form (if you want to ask that filing

fees be waived)

• A copy of your certificate of discharge (if you

were convicted of a felony and served time in

prison)

• A copy of your discharge from felony

probation (if you successfully completed

probation)

•

A copy of your Sex Offender Update Form (if

you are required to register as

a sex offender)

Step 3. Get your fingerprints taken.

Have your fingerprints taken. You will need the

fingerprint card to file with your Petition (or with the

Order if you filed your Petition online).

Where do I get my fingerprints taken?

Check with local law enforcement to learn where you

can have your fingerprints taken. There is a fee,

usually $10 to $20.

In Travis County, you can have your fingerprints

taken at Passport Express at 1107 Rio Grande,

Austin, Texas 78701

Do you want your forms reviewed by an

attorney?

If you want your forms reviewed by an attorney:

• You can hire a private attorney. There are

attorneys in Austin who specialize in

LGBT+ legal matters.

• A Law Library Reference Attorney can

review your forms at the morning case

review clinic (10 a.m. to noon, weekdays,

at 314 West 11

, #140).

• The University of Texas Law School holds

a legal clinic each semester. The clinic

volunteers will help you fill out the

paperwork.

https://law.utexas.edu/probono/projects/sp

ecial-projects/trans-legal-name-gender-

marker-project/.

TC-FM-GI2-200, Gender Marker AND Name Change Info Sheet w/FAQs Page 2 of 4

Travis County Law Library March 2017

Step 4. File your Petition.

In Travis County, file the Petition in the District

Clerk’s Office, in room 302 of the civil courthouse

(at 1000 Guadalupe, Austin, TX, 78701).

You may also file these attachments to your

Petition:

• The letter from your mental health

professional and/or medical doctor.

• A Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of

Court Costs form (if you want to ask that filing

fees be waived)

• A copy of your certificate of discharge (if you

were convicted of a felony)

• A copy of your discharge from felony

probation (if you successfully completed

probation)

• A copy of your Sex Offender Update Form (if

you are required to register as a sex

offender)

• The fingerprint card.

Step 5. Pay the Filing Fee.

You will pay a filing fee of about $300 at the

District Clerk’s Office. If you have a low income,

or are on government benefits because you have

a low income, or you cannot pay court fees, you

may file a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment

of Court Costs form to ask the Court to waive court

and filing fees.

Step 6. Learn where and when to go to court.

After you file your Petition, go to the Court

Administrator’s Office on the fourth floor of the

courthouse. The Court Administrator’s Office

schedules court hearings.

When you get to the Court Administrator’s Office,

ask for Jacob or Warren. They will help you

schedule a time to speak with a judge or go to

short hearing.

The phone number for the Court Administrator’s

Office is 512-854-2484.

Step 7. Show your papers to the judge.

When you meet with the judge, make sure you

have:

• A copy of your Petition and fingerprint card

• A copy of your letter from the mental health

professional and/or medical doctor

• The Final Order to Change the Gender

and sex Identifier which you filled out

(except for the judge’s signature)

• A copy of your order discharging probation

(if you were on felony probation)

• A copy of your TDCJ discharge certificate

(if you were convicted of a felony and

served time in prison)

• A copy of your Sex Offender notification

form (if you are required to register as a

sex offender)

• Any other supporting documentation you

might think helpful. Examples include

birth certificates and passports

If you are sworn in, the judge may ask you

questions. Be prepared to answer the judge’s

questions truthfully and briefly. Address the judge

as “Your Honor.”

If the judge signs the order, move on to the next

step. If the judge does not sign the Order, your

gender identifier will not change at that time. You

may be able to return to court with additional

evidence at a later date to continue your request.

Step 9. Get certified copies of the Order.

Go to the District Clerk’s Office in room 103. The

Clerk’s Office stamps the Order signed by the

judge. Ask for a certified copy of the signed and

stamped Order. Pay the fee for the certified copy.

You will need certified copies to prove that the

Court ordered the identifier and name change.

You may want to get at least 3 certified copies.

Step 10. Notify.

Notify the various agencies of your name and

identifier change. You may be required to show

them a certified copy of your court order. Agencies

to notify include the:

• Social Security Administration

• Vital Statistics (birth certificates)

• Department of Public Safety (driver’s license)

• Tax Office (vehicle and voter registration) and

• County Clerk’s Office (property titles)

• Passport Office

TC-FM-GI2-200, Gender Marker AND Name Change Info Sheet w/FAQs Page 3 of 4

Travis County Law Library March 2017

Questions: Gender Marker and Name Change

Q. Who can use these forms?

A: This form is intended for use by people who want to change their name and the sex on their public

documents to match their gender identity. If you want to change your gender marker only, and not your

name, there are separate forms for that.

Q, Can I change my name and gender/sex marker on public documents without going to court?

A: No. In Texas, you need a court order. Judges have discretion to either grant or deny your request.

Q: Is surgery or other medical treatment or procedure required before I can change my gender/sex

marker?

A: No, surgery is not required by Texas law. What is required is a narrative statement from your doctor

and/or therapist that says:

• You have received a diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria (or other diagnosis).

• You have received appropriate treatment for your diagnosis.

• It is in your best interest (it is recommended) that your sex and/or gender marker be changed in

public records to be consistent with your identity and presentation.

It is helpful if the statement includes:

• The length of time the doctor/therapist has been treating you.

• A description of your diagnosis and a prognosis.

In exercising their discretion to grant sex/gender marker changes, judges often look to the

Current Standards of Care (SOC)

established by the World Professional Association for

Transgender Health (WPATH). For more information on these standards see

http://www.wpath.org/site_page.cfm?pk_association_webpage_menu=1352&pk_association_we

bpage=3947

Q: Can I change my gender/sex marker to non-binary or some other identity that is neither male or

female (M or F)?

A: No. Texas law does not recognize non-binary, third gender or gender fluid as an acceptable entry for

sex or gender that is printed on state identification documents.

Q: Will my identity documents automatically be updated once the court enters an order?

A: No. Getting an order is just the first step of the process of correcting your name and/or gender marker

on your ID documents. You will need to contact the issuing authority for each type of ID and present a

certified copy of the court order when you ask for a change. You can get a certified copy of the order

signed by the judge from the District Clerk’s Office, room 302.

Although the order is a binding order of a Texas district court of general jurisdiction, it is not an absolute

guarantee that state entities will immediately adjust your gender marker in accordance with the order.

Q: Will my child’s name automatically change when I change my name?

A: No. Changing a child’s name is a different process and requires different forms.

Q: Do I have to submit a set of my fingerprints with my petition?

A: Yes. You are required to submit a set of your fingerprints on a fingerprint card with your petition. The

statute about fingerprints can be found at Texas Family Code, Section 45.102(a)6.

TC-FM-GI2-200, Gender Marker AND Name Change Info Sheet w/FAQs Page 4 of 4

Travis County Law Library March 2017

Q: I was convicted of a crime; can I still change my name?

A: All offenses charged above a Class C misdemeanor must be listed in the Petition. Include the case

number and court of each offense.

There are special requirements if you were convicted of a felony or of a sex offense. (See Texas Family

Code 45.103.)

For felonies:

• If you served time in prison for a felony, you must wait two years from the date listed on your

certificate of discharge. Get a copy of your certificate of discharge from the Classification and

Records division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Attach it to your petition.

• If you were on felony probation, you must wait two years from the date you successfully completed

probation. Get a copy of your certificate of successful completion of probation from the District

Clerk of the county where you were prosecuted and attach it to your petition.

A registered sex offender must first notify the local law enforcement office of the proposed name

change. Attach a copy of the written notification form to the name change petition. To get the Sex

Offender Update Form, contact the local law enforcement office where you are registered.

Q: I was convicted of a felony; how do learn my SID (State Identification) or FBI number?

Contact the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to learn your SID or FBI number at 512-406-5202 or

at 1-800-535-0283.

Q: Will the name on my birth certificate, driver’s license, and social security card change?

You are responsible for notifying the appropriate agencies of your new name. Social Security,

Department of Public Safety (driver’s license) and Vital Statistics Unit (birth certificate) will require you

to show a certified copy of your court order.

Q: Where can I read the name change laws?

The Texas laws about name changes are in the Texas Family Code,

sections 45.101 to 45.106.

NOTICE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS SENSITIVE DATA.

TC-FM-GI2-100, Petition to Change Gender and Sex Identifier AND Name of an Adult (Rev. July 2016) Page 1 of 4

In Re:

Cause No:

In the

District Court of

Petitioner

(Print first, middle, and last names)

Travis County, Texas

Petition to Change the Name and

Sex/Gender Identifier of an Adult

(Print your answers.)

I. Discovery Level

The discovery level in this case, if needed, is Level 1.

II. Petitioner

1. My current legal name is: .

First

Middle L

ast

2. I ask the Court to change my legal name to:

First

Middle

Last

3. The reason I want to change my name is:

4. I also ask the Court to change my gender and my sex identifier from Male to Female.

from Female to Male.

5. The reason I want to change my gender and my sex identifier is:

My birth certificate lists me as male female. My true sex and gender, as

reflected in my physician’s/therapist’s letters attached, is

male female.

In all aspects of my life, I present as male female. My birth certificate and other

identifying information should conform with my true gender/sex. If this conformation

does not occur, I will suffer significant damage including problems with voting, problems

with travel, problems obtaining insurance, employment, housing, credit and problems

with producing correct and consistent identification.

And/Or

(if other reason, print below)

TC-FM-GI2-100, Petition to Change Gender and Sex Identifier AND Name of an Adult (Rev. July 2016) Page 2 of 4

III. Personal Information

My personal information is as follows:

6. Home address is: __________________________________________________________

street address

city county

state

zip code

7. Social Security Number:

I don’t have a Social Security

Number.

8. Date of birth:

month day year

9. All drivers’ license numbers issued to me during the last 10 years:

Driver’s License Number

State that Issued License

I have not had a driver’s

license during the last 10 years.

10. Place of birth:

city county

state

country

11. Gender/Sex: (Check one as shown on current birth certificate.)

Male

Female

12. Race:

(Print race as shown on birth certificate.)

IV. Criminal History

13. Have you ever been charged with a Class A or B misdemeanor or a felony?

Yes

If yes -- Write your FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigations) or SID (State Identification) number:

FBI #

SID

List all Class A or B misdemeanors and felonies with which you have been charged, whether or not

you

were convicted. If you need more space, attach an additional page. If you have not been charged with a

Class A or B misdemeanor or a felony, write “none” in the offense blank.

Offense

District Court County Court

County

Court number:

Case number:

Offense

District Court County Court

County

Court number:

Case number:

TC-FM-GI2-100, Petition to Change Gender and Sex Identifier AND Name of an Adult (Rev. July 2016) Page 3 of 4

Offense

District Court County Court

County

Court number:

Case number:

Offense

District Court County Court

County

Court number:

Case number:

14. Have you ever been convicted of a felony that has not been pardoned?

Yes

If yes -- The court may grant your request if at least 2 years have passed since you received

a certificate

of discharge from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or completed court ordered

community supervision or juvenile probation. You must attach proof from the Texas Department of

Criminal Justice.

List all of your felony convictions here. If you need more space, attach an additional page. If you have

not been convicted of a felony, write “none” in the Final Conviction blank.

Felony Conviction

District Court County Court

County

Court number:

Case number:

Felony Conviction

District Court County Court

County

Court number:

Case number:

Felony Conviction

District Court County Court

County

Court number:

Case number:

Felony Conviction

District Court County Court

County

Court number:

Case number:

15. Are you required to register as a sex offender?

Yes

If yes – attach a copy of your notification to local law enforcement. See below.

V. Request for Judgment

I believe this name change and sex/gender marker change are in my interest or benefit and in

the interest of the public.

I ask the Court to make an Order to change my name, and any other Orders I may be entitled

to.

I ask that my gender and my sex identifier be changed: (select one)

from Male to Female from Female to Male.

I ask the Court to enter an order for agencies and departments within this court’s jurisdiction to

correct and amend the gender and sex identifiers in all licenses, databases, certificates, or other

TC-FM-GI2-100, Petition to Change Gender and Sex Identifier AND Name of an Adult (Rev. July 2016) Page 4 of 4

official documents under the agencies control and issuance, whether electronic or paper. This

includes, but is not limited to, the Texas Department of Public Safety.

I ask that upon application to the Vital Statistics Unit the Petitioner’s Texas birth certificate shall

be amended pursuant to Texas Health and Safety Code 192.011 to reflect my sex/gender as:

Male Female.

[Optional] Sealing Court Records (Check only if you want to seal the court record. Sealing records restricts future

access the court order. This has privacy benefits but makes it difficult to get additional certified copies if you need them later.)

I ask that the records in this cause number be sealed. This action is not subject to the

standards for sealing records set forth in rule 76a of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.

Sealing the records will not adversely affect the public health or safety. The records do not

involve matters that should be available to the general public.

I swear under oath that the facts stated in this Petition are true and correct. I understand I could

prosecuted for lying on this form.

VI. Notarized Signature

Do not sign until you are in front of the notary!

Petitioner signs in front of a notary

Date

Petitioner’s Name (print)

Phone

Mailing Address City State Zip

Email Address:

Fax # (if any)

Notary fills out below

State of Texas, County of

(Print the name of county where notarized)

Sworn to and subscribed before me, the undersigned authority, on:

(Date)

(Print the first and last names of the person who is signing this affidavit.)

Notary’s signature

VII. You MUST attach these documents to your Petition:

A legible and complete set of your fingerprints on a fingerprint card in a form acceptable to the Texas

Department of Public Safety and Federal Bureau of Investigations. Write “Exhibit A” at the top.

A letter from your doctor and/or counselor/therapist stating that you have received or are receiving

treatment to transition permanently to a new sex and gender. Write “Exhibit B” at the top.

If you were convicted of a felony and it has been at least 2 years since you discharged or completed

probation or parole, attached proof of each conviction. Write “Exhibit C” at the top.

If you were convicted of a felony and pardoned, attached proof. Write “Exhibit D” at the top.

If you are required to register as a sex offender, attach proof that you notified the appropriate local

law enforcement authority of your proposed name change. Write “Exhibit E” at the top.

NOTICE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS SENSITIVE DATA.

Order Changing Gender and Sex Identifier (Rev. July 2016) Page 1 of 3

Print court information exactly as it appears on Petition.

In Re:

Cause No:

In the

District Court of

Petitioner (Print first, middle, and last names)

Travis County, Texas

Final Order to Change the Name and

Sex/Gender Identifier of an Adult

Today the Court heard the Petition to Change the Gender and Sex Identifier and Name of an

Adult.

I. Appearances & Jurisdiction

The Petitioner is: ______________________________________________________________.

Print current first, middle and last legal name of person asking for name change.

The Petitioner appeared in person without an attorney and announced ready.

The Court finds that it has jurisdiction over this case and the Petitioner.

II. Record

(The court will select one of the following.)

Testimony was not recorded, and the Court agreed that it did not need to be recorded.

Testimony was recorded by the court reporter.

III. Findings

The Court finds the following information about the Petitioner.

1. Petitioner’s full current legal name is:

First

Middle L

ast

2. Home address is: __________________________________________________________

street address

city county

state

zip code

3. Petitioner’s date of birth is: _________________

month day year

4. Petitioner’s place of birth is: __________________________________________________.

city county state country

5. Petitioner’s race is: .

(Print race as shown on birth certificate.)

Order Changing Gender Identifier AND Name of an Adult (Rev. June 2016) Page 2 of 3

6. Petitioner’s social security number is: ______________________.

Or Petitioner does not have a Social Security Number.

7. All driver’s license numbers issued to Petitioner during the last 10 years are listed below:

Driver’s License Number

State that Issued

License

Or Petitioner has

not had a driver’s

license during the

last 10 years.

8. Petitioner’s current sex/gender as listed on birth certificate is Male Female

9. Petitioner: (Check one.)

does not have FBI number or SID number.

Petitioner’s FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigations) number is: ____________________.

Petitioner’s SID (State Identification) number is: _______________________________.

10. Petitioner: (Check one.)

has not been charged with a crime above the grade of Class C misdemeanor.

has been charged with a crime above the grade of Class C misdemeanor. Listed below

is the cause number and the court for each crime for which a warrant was issued for

Petitioners arrest or in which charges were filed or presented against the Petitioner. (If

you need more space, attach an additional page.)

Offense 1:

District Court County Court

County

Court

number:

Case

number:

Offense 2:

District Court County Court

County

Court

number:

Case

number:

Offense 3:

District Court County Court

County

Court

number:

Case

number:

Offense 4:

District Court County Court

County

Court

number:

Case

number:

Order Changing Gender Identifier AND Name of an Adult (Rev. June 2016) Page 3 of 3

11. Petitioner: (Check one.)

has not been convicted of a felony.

has been convicted of a felony and has been pardoned.

has been convicted of a felony and at least two years have passed since Petitioner

received a certificate of discharge or completed court ordered community supervision or

probation.

12. Petitioner: (Check one.)

is not required to register as a sex offender under chapter 62 of the Code of Criminal

Procedure.

is required to register as a sex offender under chapter 62 of the Code of Criminal

Procedure. Petitioner provided proof to the Court that Petitioner notified the appropriate

local law enforcement authority of this proposed change of gender identity marker.

IV. Orders

The Court ORDERS that Petitioner’s name is changed from:

current name: ________________________________________________________________________

first middle last

to this name: ________________________________________________________________________

first middle last

The Court orders Petitioner’s gender and sex identifier be changed:

(Select one) from Male to Female OR from Female to Male.

This order shall act as the official order for agencies and departments within this court’s

jurisdiction to correct and amend the gender and sex identifiers on any and all licenses,

certificates, or other official documents under the agency’s control and issuance. This includes,

but is not limited to, the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The Court orders that upon application to the Vital Statistics Unit the Petitioner’s Texas birth

certificate shall be amended pursuant to Texas Health and Safety Code 192.011 to reflect

Petitioner’s sex/gender as: Male Female.

The Court further orders that the Petitioner not use this change of gender identification to:

 Avoid any and all past or future financial or credit obligations or liabilities, or

 For the purposes of fraud; or

 To circumvent any laws or ordinances; or

The Court orders does NOT order that all documents in this cause are sealed, except

for the documents that are required by law to be recorded in the minutes of the Court. The

documents and file shall not be opened except on court order. Documents within the file shall

not be released except upon court order or upon request of the attorneys of record or the party

to the case.

The Court has the right to make other orders, if needed, to clarify or enforce this order. Any

orders requested that do not appear above are denied.

SIGNED ON:

Date Signed

Judge’s Signature