How to Change Your Name in San Francisco County

Court Information

Court

Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco

Filing fee

$450

Fee waiver

Available for qualifying petitioners

Where to file

county of residence

Jurisdiction

California Superior Court; Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§1275-1279.6 (adult name change civil petition; pro se filings on paper per CRC 2.253)

Official forms

sf.courts.ca.gov/self-help/name-and-gender-change ↗

Last verified

August 17, 2026

Filing Requirements in San Francisco County

Newspaper publication

Required

Court hearing

Required

How to file

in_person+drop_box (initial name/gender case may not be efiled and must be filed on paper; subsequent documents must be filed electronically)

Getting Certified Copies

Records department in person (Room 103, Civic Center Courthouse)

You will need certified copies for Social Security, the DMV, your passport, and your banks — order more than one.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Gather documents: certified birth certificate, photo ID, and proof of residency in San Francisco County
2. Complete the name change petition form (available from the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco clerk or website)
3. If you cannot afford the filing fee ($450), complete a fee waiver form and file it alongside your petition
4. File your petition in_person+drop_box (initial name/gender case may not be efiled and must be filed on paper; subsequent documents must be filed electronically) with the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco
5. Arrange the required newspaper publication — confirm the approved newspaper with the clerk before you publish
6. Attend your hearing if the court schedules one
7. If approved, get certified copies of the court order — records department in person (room 103, civic center courthouse)
8. Update SSA first, then DMV, then passport, then all other records