Legal name change in Illinois
In Illinois, you file a Request for Name Change (NC-A) in the Circuit Court of the county where you live. As of March 1, 2025, publication is no longer required for adult name changes. Illinois supports M, F, and X gender markers on driver licenses and birth certificates.
Quick facts
Court
Circuit Court (25 judicial circuits)
Filing fee
Varies by county; typically $250–$400
Timeline
4–8 weeks typical
Residency
3 months continuous residency in Illinois
Publication
Abolished for adults as of March 1, 2025
Fee waiver
Available via FW-CIV forms
Gender marker options
M / F / X
Forms you may need
NC-A — Request for Name Change (Adult)
The main petition form for adult name change in Illinois.
View form Source: Illinois CourtsNC-A Instructions — How to Change Your Name (Adult)
Step-by-step instructions for adult name change.
View form Source: Illinois CourtsNC-A Order — Order for Name Change
The final court order granting the name change.
View form Source: Illinois CourtsNC Motion to Impound — Motion to Impound
Request to remove court records from public access for safety or privacy.
View form Source: Illinois CourtsFW-CIV — Application for Waiver of Court Fees
Fee waiver application for civil cases.
View form Source: Illinois CourtsDSD A 329 — Gender Designation Change Form
Form to change gender marker on Illinois driver license or state ID.
View form Source: IL Secretary of StateFiling fees & fee waiver
Filing fees vary by county, typically ranging from $250 to $400.
Fee waiver available: Yes — FW-CIV
Fee amounts vary by county. Check with your Circuit Clerk for the exact fee.
Publication & privacy
As of March 1, 2025, Illinois no longer requires publication for adult name changes. This was eliminated by legislation effective 2025-03-01.
Gender identity-related name changes may be exempt from publication.
Publication waiver may be available.
You can file a Motion to Impound to remove your case from public court records if publication or public access would endanger your safety.
Gender marker notes
Illinois supports M, F, and X gender markers on driver licenses/IDs and birth certificates. DL/ID uses a Gender Designation Form (DSD A 329). Birth certificate gender marker changes since July 1, 2023 use self-attestation.
Available options: M, F, X
Self-attestation: Yes
Medical proof required: No
Verify current procedures with the Secretary of State (DL/ID) and IDPH (birth certificate) before filing.
What happens after the court order
After your court order, update your records in the following order to avoid conflicts between agencies.
- Social Security Administration (SS-5)
- Illinois DMV (driver license or state ID)
- U.S. Passport
- Illinois birth certificate (IDPH)
- Employer / payroll (HR)
- Bank and financial accounts
- Health insurance
- IRS / tax records
- Voter registration
- TSA PreCheck / Global Entry
County notes
Illinois has 102 counties organized into 25 judicial circuits. Filing procedures and fees vary by county. Confirm with your local Circuit Clerk.
Featured counties: Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will, Champaign
What you can use for free
Free guides explain the general process. Complete helps apply the process to your situation.
Free
- State-level filing overview
- Official court and agency links
- Filing fee and publication notes
- General fee waiver information
- General post-court checklist
Complete
- Personalized filing sequence
- County prep notes where available
- Privacy path analysis
- Fee waiver checklist
- California packet builder beta
- Exportable post-court roadmap
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need to publish my name change in a newspaper in Illinois?
No. As of March 1, 2025, Illinois has abolished the publication requirement for adult name changes. You no longer need to publish notice in a newspaper.
How long do I need to live in Illinois before filing?
You must have been a continuous resident of Illinois for at least 3 months before filing, or expect to meet the 3-month requirement by the time of your hearing.
Can I keep my name change court records private?
Yes. You can file a Motion to Impound to request that your court records be removed from public access. This is available for safety, privacy, or other qualifying reasons.
Does Illinois support X gender markers on IDs?
Yes. Illinois driver licenses and state IDs support M, F, and X gender markers. You can update your gender marker using the Gender Designation Change Form (DSD A 329).
What if I cannot afford the filing fee?
You can request a fee waiver using the FW-CIV forms. If the court grants your request, your filing fees will be waived or reduced.
Official sources
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NameRight is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We provide self-help information, document preparation tools, and public court process guidance based on publicly available information. Court procedures and eligibility rules can change, and your situation may require advice from a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. Full legal disclaimer