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NameRight provides procedural guidance, not legal advice.
Verify requirements with official courts and agencies. Full legal disclaimer
This Pennsylvania guide has not yet completed human verification.
The overview below reflects general process information only. Before you file, confirm every requirement, form, and fee directly with the Court of Common Pleas or your county clerk. We are verifying this guide against official Pennsylvania sources and will publish the verified version soon.
In Pennsylvania, you file a name change petition with the Court of Common Pleas in the county where you live. Filing fees vary by county — confirm the current amount with the clerk, and newspaper publication is generally required. Fee waivers are available if you cannot afford the cost. Court and agency rules can change, so verify current requirements with your local court before filing.
Where you file
Court of Common Pleas
Estimated court fee
Varies by county — confirm with the clerk
Typical timeline
county_specific
Residency rule
Must be a resident of Pennsylvania (file in your county of residence)
Publication for general filings
Required in most cases
Fee waiver available
Not offered statewide — verify with the clerk
Gender marker options
M / F / X / Male / Female
Philadelphia — Philadelphia Adult Name Change Petition
County-specific official packet
View form Source: Official sourceMontgomery — Montgomery County Petition for Change of Name Packet
County-specific official packet
View form Source: Official sourceRequest — Request for Gender Designation Change
PennDOT gender designation change form
View form Source: Official sourceRequest — Request to Modify an Adult's Birth Record
Adult birth certificate amendment form
View form Source: Official sourceLinks open on the publisher’s site. “Official source” means a court or agency published it, and “Archived copy” means an Internet Archive snapshot of a page that has moved. A third-party resource is not a court document and listing it is not an endorsement. Confirm every form with the Pennsylvania court before you file.
Filing fees vary by county — confirm the current amount with the court clerk before filing.
Fee waiver available: No — Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis
Fees vary by county and change over time — confirm with the clerk before filing.
Newspaper publication may be required; check for waivers.
Publication waiver may be available.
Record sealing may be available after name change. Publication is generally required, but waiver may be requested for safety reasons. Some counties also reference motions to seal the petition.
Medical documentation is required for adult birth certificate updates, but not for DMV updates. Self-attestation is accepted for DMV updates only.
Agency by agency
Gender marker rules differ by agency — driver license / ID, birth certificate, passport (federal), and SSA (federal) can each have different options and proof rules. Confirm the options for each record you plan to update.
Self-attestation: Verify with the relevant agency
Medical proof required: Verify with the relevant agency
Confirm current procedures with each agency before filing.
After receiving your court order, update your records in the following order to avoid conflicts between agencies.
Pennsylvania has 67 counties and 60 judicial districts. No statewide standardized name change packet — forms and procedures vary by county. Confirm with your Court of Common Pleas.
Free guides explain the general process. Complete helps apply the process to your situation.
In Pennsylvania, you file a name change petition with the Court of Common Pleas in the county where you live. Requirements can vary by county and situation, so verify current instructions with the official court source before filing.
Filing fees vary by county — confirm the current amount with the court clerk before filing. Additional costs may apply (publication fees, certified copies, background checks) and fees can change.
Pennsylvania generally requires publication of the name change notice in two newspapers of general circulation in the county of residence. A waiver is available if publication would jeopardize the safety of the petitioner or a child/ward.
Yes, a court hearing is generally required.
PennDOT supports M, F, and X gender markers on driver licenses and state IDs using form DL-32, without medical proof. Pennsylvania birth certificate adult gender designation changes still require a doctor letter and currently only support Male and Female options (no X option on the official form).
Start with the official court or agency source linked on this page. NameRight provides informational guidance and preparation tools, not legal advice. Court and agency rules can change, so always verify before filing or paying fees.
Every claim on this page points back to an official source. Here is what each source supports and when it was last checked — verify details with the source before filing.
Get a personalized filing path based on your situation.
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