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, 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:

  1. If you have lived in any other states as an adult, getting a background check will be more complicated. Additionally, if you were born outside of Minnesota, you will need your state's cooperation to change birth records. Seek out the council of a legal help clinic. If you were born in IA, IN, KS, OK, TN, TX, or FL, unfortunately you cannot change your gender marker. There may be requirements to prove you've had "appropriate treatment" or even requirements for surgery. See the LGBTMAP link above for specific information about your birth state.

  2. If you're cis, all the steps are going to be the same. The automated form generator and interactive form set assume you are trans. Just don't forget to uncheck the relevant portions of NAM102 or else you will end up legally changing your gender.

  4. You can request an interpreter using the top of form NAM102. You can also get an interpreter for your two required witnesses. Arrange this with the judge's chambers. The automated form generator and interactive form set skip over the interpreter section, make sure to go back and add this section.

  7. The automated form generator and interactive form set skip over the children section. Go back and fill this section out.

  8. The automated form generator and interactive form set skip over the marriage and/or divorce section. Go back and fill this section out. 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.

  9. The automated form generator and interactive form set skip over the criminal history section. Go back and fill this section out.

  10. The automated form generator and interactive form set skip over the children section. Go back and fill this section out. Furthermore, there is a separate set of forms for minors. Both parents must be notified.

  11. Form NAM102 requires a description of any property you own or have an interest in. The automated form generator and interactive form set skip this. Go back and fill this section out.

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.


Press Escape or tap 3 times quickly to exit this page and clear your history

You have three options for obtaining and filling out the forms you need. They are ordered by how much time and effort they require.

  1. Use the Automatic Form Generator (recommended)

    2. Simply enter your information once and the website will auto fill all three PDFs for you

  2. Use the interactive PDF Forms

    3. These PDFs have been modified with fillable text boxes so you can type your information directly into them

  3. Manually edit the original PDFs using the software of your choice

    4. This is the option you'll have to choose if you don't meet all of the assumptions in step zero. Start with an option above to get the forms started, and then manually add the sections you need using PDF editing software.

Below are example forms that have already been filled in.



Option 1: Automatic Form Generator (recommended)

The Automatic Form Generator will automatically build the court forms for you, skipping the need to 1) fill out each field individually and 2) use PDF editing software. Simply enter your information into the website and click the download buttons to get your forms.



🚀 Open Form Generator


Option 2: Interactive PDF Forms

These forms have been edited from the originals to include text boxes. Using your browser, simply enter your information into the text boxes and save. See the instructions provided under Option 3 for help filling out the 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.

Option 3: Use the Original Forms and Edit Them Manually

Download the forms required from the court website here. You will need to either print and scan these or edit them using the PDF software of your choosing. If you have been married or divorced, have children, have a criminal history, or own land, this is the option you will be required to choose. You may use the automatic or interactive forms above as a starting point. The Automatic Form Generator and modified PDF files have only been prepared to fit the most common cases. (why?) For various technical (and some Adobe) reasons, editing PDFs is really challenging. I recommend avoiding this option if you can. If you must edit PDF's yourself, the best free option is LibreOffice Draw.

  1. NAM102 Application for Name Change
    • Skip the header (County of, Judicial District, Court File Number)
    • Under "In the Matter of the Application of" enter your current legal name
    • Continue filling out the form using your current legal name
    • Enter your new name and gender marker (if desired) in #7
    • Sign it (you can use your new name!)

  2. NAM103 - Criminal History Check Release
    • Use your current legal name and sex at birth
    • Enter any other names or nicknames you may have (including your new name if desired)
    • Sign it (you can use your new name!)

  3. NAM107 - Proposed Order Granting Name Change
    • Skip the header (County of, Judicial District, Court File Number)
    • Under "In the Matter of" enter your current legal name
    • Under "For a change of name to" enter your new name
    • Leave a blank space for the court to enter a date after "The above entitled matter came on for hearing before the undersigned Judge on ______"
    • Copy your information EXACTLY AS IT APPEARS ON 'NAM102 - APPLICATION FOR NAME CHANGE'
    • Do not enter anything after "It is Ordered". The court will fill this out later.
    • You do not need to sign this document.

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.

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.
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
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.
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
    • You can print this form at your local library for ~$0.10/page
    • Hennepin county offers $5 of printing credit with a free library card
  2. Sign the copy if it has been digitally signed already
    • The BCA requires physical signatures rather than electronic or typed ones.
  3. Go the the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
    • The BCA is located at 1430 Maryland Ave E, St Paul, MN 55106
    • Parking is free.
    • Make sure to bring photo ID
    • Go up to the desk and give them your form. This should take less than 10 minutes.
    • Follow any specific instructions the court may have given you. They may want the BCA to send over the form themselves or they may be alright with you providing a copy.
    • You should get a letter back stating that you have no criminal history.
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 sign the order. You can get a certified copy of this order from the court for a small fee (~$14). This is a physical copy, stamped with an embossed seal, 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.

You can request certified copies of the order by mail, in person, or online.

Requesting In Person

  1. Find where your county records office is.
    • Check the Copy Request County List for county specific information.
    • Search your county's page for information on where the County Records Office is.
    • For Hennepin county, the Records Office is located in the Hennepin County Government Center at 300 South 6th Street room A250. Go past the security check and continue straight forwards to the Records Office.
  2. Show up
    • Bring your case number
    • Bring cash to pay the fees, in case credit cards are not accepted
      • Hennepin county is able to accept debit and credit cards and there is an ATM in the US Bank building across the skyway should you need it.
    • Bring Photo ID, in case it is required
    • If you want to expedite the process, bring a printed version of the Copy Request Form
  3. Tell the clerk you are looking for certified copies
    • If you filled out the Copy Request Form, present it now to expedite the process.
    • They will ask for the name of the Petitioner (the name you originally filed with, your deadname)
    • They will ask for your case number and potentially the date of the order
    • They will ask how many copies you want
    • They will ask for payment of ~$14 per certified copy

Requesting Online (to receive copies via mail)

  1. Fill out the Statewide Copy Request Form or find your county specific one here
    • Use your previous legal name (deadname) under "Plaintiff/Petitioner"
  2. Log into the eFile system
  3. Under the header "My Filing Activity", click "Accepted"
  4. Find your case, it's probably the only one listed.
  5. Click Actions > File into Case
  6. To avoid confusion, do not change the party information to your new name.
  7. Under filings, fill out the following:
    • Filing Code: "Copy Request"
    • Description: "Copy Request Form"
    • Client Reference Number: 4
    • Comments to Court: "Public"
    • Courtesy Copies: enter your email address
    • Upload the completed copy request form as a PDF
    • Optional Services and Fees: add as many certified copies as you need.
  8. Select a payment account
  9. Click Summary to move to the next step
  10. Submit your filing

Requesting via Mail

Find more information on requesting copies via mail here.

Thanks for reading! If you found this guide helpful, please consider helping offset the ~$200/year it takes to run this site , sharing it with someone you know who might find it helpful, or contributing to the open source repository if you are able. I am very broke idk why I committed to this. Anything helps. I'd like to keep this project alive for as long as possible.
-Emma









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.
View source on GitHub. Trans Name Change Guide MN © 2025 by Emma Zimbinski is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial ShareAlike