Trans Person's Guide To Changing your Legal Name in Minnesota

Emma Zimbinski — emma@zimbin.ski

Changing your legal name in Minnesota might seem daunting, but the process basically boils down to:

It's going to take some time, but you can do it little by little :-)

In order to change your name, the state of Minnesota requires you:

This document is NOT intended to be an exhaustive guide to legally changing your name. It is instead a brief primer, as well as a collection of prefilled forms, intended to make the process as easy as possible for the ~90% of people who's requirements are simple. I'm not a lawyer, and this isn't legal advice. This guide is based on my own experience and research — double-check everything with official sources or get legal help if you need it. This guide assumes a number of things about you, the reader. Below are listed some of the assumptions made in this guide.

These are not requirements for changing your name, but this guide assumes you meet them for the sake of brevity and simplicity. Please seek out additional resources if you do not meet these assumptions. This guide will assume, unless otherwise stated, that you:

  2. You can request an interpreter using the top of form NAM102. You can also get an interpreter for your two required witnesses. Forms may be available in languages other than English. The prefilled forms skip over the interpreter section, do not use them.

  3. If you have lived in any other states as an adult, you may need to complete a separate process with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to get your background check from other states.

  6. The prefilled forms skip over the children section. Do not use them.

  7. The prefilled forms skip over the marriage and/or divorce section. Do not use them. Furthermore, you may need to bring the court proof of marriage and/or divorce if your name has changed before. One of your witnesses for your hearing should be your spouse.

  8. The prefilled forms skip over the criminal history section. Do not use them.

  9. The prefilled forms skip over the children section. Do not use them. Furthermore, there is a separate set of forms for minors. Both parents must be notified.

  10. Form NAM102 requires a description of any property you own or have an interest in. The prefilled forms skip this. Do not use them.

Uncheck an option above to view more information. Keep track of what step you're on by clicking each header (in large text below) as you complete each step. Your progress will be saved.


You're going to need three forms:

  1. NAM102 - Application for Name Change

    2. The main application for the name change change process.

  2. NAM103 - Criminal History Check Release

    3. A release that allows the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to perform a background check.

  3. NAM107 - Proposed Order Granting Name Change

    4. The order that will eventually be signed by the judge.

The forms linked above have been edited to include text boxes to make filling them out much easier and more accessible. These prefilled forms make many assumptions that will work for most people, but won't fit every situation. See the Assumptions section above and make sure everything that has been prefilled is correct. If you do not meet the assumptions, you must fill out the forms manually. You can find the original forms here. Instructions on how to fill out these forms electronically can be found here.

The forms linked above have been edited to include text boxes. You should be able to edit them directly in your browser. If you are on iOS, you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader app to edit these.

  1. NAM102 Application for Name Change

  2. NAM103 - Criminal History Check Release

  3. NAM107 - Proposed Order Granting Name Change

If you're on government assistance or making (before tax) less than 125% of the [current year] federal poverty guidelines you are eligible for a fee waiver. For 2025 this number is $19,562/yr for a single person.

If you do make less than this or are otherwise unable to pay, complete a fee waiver form. Ash Tifa's guide as well as Form NAM101 have more information on this. You will need to file a fee waiver form alongside your other forms.

You can file in person, by mail, or online. This guide will only cover how to use the eFile system to file online. If you would like to file in person or by mail, see Ash Tifa's guide and Form NAM101. If you need additional help, you can call or email the eFS support center.

eFile Home Page Setup Your Account
  1. Register for an account here. You can use your new name here as long as you use your legal name when filing below.
  2. Click "Actions", then "Payment Account". Add a payment method.
eFile New Case Envelope Header eFile Party Information Create a new case envelope
  1. Click "Start a New Case"
  2. Enter your County. Select "Civil" and "Change of Name"
  3. Enter your current legal name and address as the Petitioner
eFile Upload Documents Upload your Documents (1/3)
  1. Now we can upload our documents. Under Filing Code, enter "Application for Name Change"
  2. Under Filing Description, enter "NAM102 Application for Name Change or Other Relief"
  3. Client Reference Number can be any number. Just enter 0.
  4. Comments to Court must say "Public"
  5. Enter your email under Courtesy Copies
  6. Upload the completed document "NAM102 Application for Name Change or Other Relief" as a .PDF
  7. Add "Civil Filing Fee". This is about $300.
  8. Save your changes
Upload your Documents (2/3)
  1. There should now be a button that says "Add Another Filing", click it.
  2. Now we can add the next document. Use Filing Code "Consent to Criminal Background Check".
  3. Description: "NAM103 Criminal History Check Release".
  4. Reference Number: 1.
  5. Comments: Public.
  6. Courtesy Copies: enter your email again.
  7. Upload the completed document "NAM103 Criminal History Check Release" as a .PDF.
  8. Do not add any Services and Fees.
  9. Save.
Upload your Documents (3/3)
  1. Add another Filing.
  2. Filing Code: Proposed Order or Document.
  3. Description: "NAM107 Proposed Order Granting Name Change".
  4. Reference Number: 2.
  5. Comments: Public.
  6. Courtesy Copies: enter your email again.
  7. Upload the completed document "NAM107 Proposed Order Granting Name Change" as a .PDF.
  8. Do not add any Services and Fees.
  9. Click save.
eFile Uploaded Documents
Finish Filing
  1. Ignore the "Service Contracts" section.
  2. Select your payment account and save.
  3. Click "Summary" at the bottom.
  4. Double check your information and click "Submit".

    5. This will place a hold on your selected payment method. It will only go through once your files are accepted. If there are any problems, you will have to resubmit, and another hold will be placed on your card. Holds are returned after about two weeks. This is just filing the paperwork, this IS NOT committing to changing your name. If you have doubts, you can simply choose to not schedule the hearing after this point.

If you receive an email titled "REJECTED EFILING Case 00000000", read the comments given, make the changes, and resubmit. This will place another hold on your card, but you will eventually get the original charge back.

If all went well, you should receive an email in a few days titled "EFILING ACCEPTED Case [00-AB-00-00000] , In the Matter of the Application of [Deadname] for a Change of Name" or "COURTESY NOTIFICATION OF FILING FOR Case [00-AB-00-00000], In the Matter of the Application of [Deadname] for a Change of Name". This means you filed everything right and the court is ready to proceed when you are. Write down your case number.

  1. You can do this using the Minnesota Court Records Online website
  2. Click search by "Case Number" at the top.
  3. Enter your case number as provided in the email.
  4. Search
  5. Your case should be listed as "Open" and a judge should be assigned. If there is not a judge assigned, there should be one assigned within two weeks of your filing being accepted. Check back later.
  6. There should be a document titled "Notice of Case Assignment", download and open it. This document will tell you how to contact the judge's chambers, whether the hearing will be in person or online, and any additional instructions you may need to follow.
  7. Save the judge's chambers contact information.
  8. Take note of any additional background check or physicians note requirements.

Each county seems to have their own requirements that change over time. You may need a certified copy of the background check, you may not. You may need the BCA to send a form to the court, or they might be fine with a simple image via email. The exact requirements should be in the "Notice of Case Assignment" document. You can ask the judge's chambers for more information.

If you've lived in another state as an adult, this process will be different. Contact the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for more information.

You can complete the background check with a 10 minute walk in at the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in St. Paul or you can mail in your form and wait about two weeks. Either way it will cost ~$15.

To complete your background check in person:
  1. Print a physical copy of NAM103 - Criminal History Check Release
  2. Sign the copy if it has been digitally signed already
  3. Go the the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
To complete your background check via mail:

Using the contact information from the "Notice of Case Assignment" letter you downloaded earlier, send the judge's chambers (office) a message asking for a hearing to be scheduled. Make sure to include your case number.

To the chambers of [District Court Judge Jane Doe],

Hello. I'm seeking to change my legal name and gender marker. I have filed the appropriate paperwork and have been assigned case number #AB-123-456.

I'd like to schedule a hearing as soon as possible. What, if any, upcoming dates do you have available?

I appreciate your time,
Your Name
youremail@example.com
123.456.7890

After the hearing, the judge will complete and sign the NAM107 - Proposed Order Granting Name Change form you uploaded earlier. Depending on the county filed in, this may be made available to you as soon as the next day, or it may take a few days. You can check the status of your case online using the Minnesota Court Records Online website and searching by your case number. The order will be listed as a document in your case, titled "Order Granting Name Change".

You can get a certified copy of this order from the court for a small fee (~$14). This is a physical copy, sealed in an envelope, that can be used for official purposes. You will need this to change your name on your birth certificate, social security card, and driver's license with other government agencies.

You can request certified copies of the order by mail, in person, or online. If you are requesting them by mail, you will need to include a check for the fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope. If you are requesting them in person, you can pay with cash, check, or card.









Dedicated to Sara Millerey González, whose life and death calls us to justice. 🧱
I'm not a lawyer, and this isn't legal advice. This guide is based on my own experience and research — double-check everything with official sources or get legal help if you need it. Trans Name Change Guide MN © 2025 by Emma Zimbinski is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial ShareAlike