How to Change Your Name in Texas: Complete Legal Guide (2026)

Texas requires a court petition for adult name changes, filed in the district court of the county where you reside. The process is straightforward but does include a fingerprint requirement that some other states do not have.

While Texas does not have explicit protections for gender-affirming name changes, the legal process is the same regardless of your reason for changing your name.

File an Original Petition for Change of Name of Adult in the district court of your county. Texas does not have a standardized state form — most counties provide their own template or you can draft one.

Texas requires fingerprinting for adult name changes (Texas Family Code 45.102). This is submitted to the Texas Department of Public Safety for a criminal background check.

Visit an approved fingerprint location (IdentoGO is the state vendor). The fee is approximately $10-$40. Results are sent directly to the court.

A hearing is typically scheduled 30-60 days after filing. You must appear in person. The judge will ask basic questions about your identity, reason for the change, and confirm you have no intent to defraud creditors.

Hearings are usually brief (5-10 minutes) and approval rates for straightforward petitions are high.

Texas does not have a separate gender marker change process at the state level. Gender marker changes on birth certificates issued in Texas have faced legal challenges.

For driver's license gender marker changes, policies vary by county. Some DPS offices process them with a court order, while others may require additional documentation. NameRight tracks county-level policies so you know what to expect.

Texas does not require newspaper publication for name changes, which is a privacy advantage. However, court records are generally public.

If you have safety concerns, consult with a local legal aid organization about sealing options. Organizations like the Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT) offer free legal clinics.