Loading…
NameRight provides procedural guidance, not legal advice.
Verify requirements with official courts and agencies. Full legal disclaimer
This Tennessee 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 Chancery Court or your county clerk. We are verifying this guide against official Tennessee sources and will publish the verified version soon.
In Tennessee, you file a name change petition with the Chancery Court in the county where you live. The filing fee is $159.50-$250 (varies by county), 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
Chancery Court
Estimated court fee
$159.50-$250 (varies by county)
Typical timeline
Varies by county; confirm with the clerk
Residency rule
Must be a resident of Tennessee (file in your county of residence)
Publication for general filings
Required in most cases
Fee waiver available
Available — ask the clerk
Gender marker options
Varies — confirm with the agency
Links 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 Tennessee court before you file.
The filing fee is $159.50-$250 (varies by county). Confirm the current amount with the court clerk before filing.
Fee waiver available: Yes
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.
Ask the clerk about record sealing and safety options if publication would put you at risk.
No nonbinary (X) gender marker is currently available in Tennessee; state law has changed recently — verify directly with the agency.
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 with key agencies. The following list is a general starting point — priorities may vary by situation.
County procedures can vary. Always confirm filing steps with your local court.
Free guides explain the general process. Complete helps apply the process to your situation.
In Tennessee, you file a name change petition with the Chancery Court in the county where you live. Requirements can vary by county and situation, so verify current instructions with the official court source before filing.
The filing fee in Tennessee is $159.50-$250 (varies by county). Additional costs may apply (publication fees, certified copies, background checks) and fees can change. Source: TN court fee schedules. Confirm the current amount with the court before filing.
Yes, newspaper publication is generally required (Publication in a newspaper of general circulation is required. Waiver may be available.). Verify current requirements with your local court.
Hearing requirements may vary. Confirm with the court.
Tennessee does not permit gender-marker changes on birth certificates or driver licenses as of 2026. Name-only changes remain available.
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