HOW DO I CHANGE MY NAME LEGALLY WITH THE COURT?
To change your name in Nevada, you must file a Petition for Adult Name Change in the district court of the county where you live. There are a few other forms you also have to fill out and turn in to the court. To find the right court and find the correct forms, visit: www.selfhelp.nvcourts.gov.
If you have been convicted of a felony, you must turn in a copy of your fingerprints with your court forms. A felony does not prevent you from changing your name, but your new name will be added to your criminal record history.
The court will charge a fee when you turn in your forms. The fee is different in every county. If you cannot afford the fee, you can fill out an application to waive the fee.
Most adult name changes have to be published in a local newspaper after you file. However, if you are changing your name for gender identity purposes, you will not have to publish anything.
After you file your documents with the court, ask the court staff how to get your case to a judge. Some judges will want you to set a short hearing, and some will simply sign the order if you provide one. If you wish to change your child’s name, the same requirements apply, however, both parents with legal rights to the child must consent.
Getting a name change with the court does not automatically change your name with government agencies, banks, the DMV, Social Security, etc. You will need to provide a certified copy of your court order to each agency. You can get certified copies of your court order at the Clerk of Court's office.
HOW DO I CORRECT MY NAME & GENDER MARKER ON MY BIRTH CERTIFICATE?
If you were born in Nevada, you may complete forms to change your name and gender marker with Nevada Vital Records. Visit Vital Records and click on the link for the Sex (Gender) and Name Change Informational Packet and Forms. This Packet will provide a list of the documentation required to change gender and name on a birth certificate, including the forms and form instructions. For specific questions about amending or correcting information on a birth certificate, call 775-684-4242 and ask for an amendment clerk. For all other questions, call the Office of Vital Records at 775-684-4242, or e-mail them at
Division of Public and Behavioral Health
Preparedness, Assurance, Inspections and
Statistics/Office of Vital Records and Statistics
4150 Technology Way, Suite 104 Carson City, NV 89706
HOW DO I CORRECT MY NAME & GENDER MARKER WITH THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (SSA)?
Your social security card does not indicate your gender but SSA keeps gender information for its records. You may change your gender marker and/or name in-person at a SSA office or by mail.
Changing Your Name with SSA
Submit the following: (1) Application for a Social Security Card; (2) proof of your identity; (3) proof of citizenship or immigration status; and (4) acceptable proof of name change. Acceptable proof of your name change may be: court order for name change (original or certified copy); marriage, civil union, or domestic partnership certificate (original or certified copy); divorce decree (original or certified copy); or certificate of citizenship or naturalization (original only).
Changing Your Gender Marker with SSA
Submit one of following to change your gender marker: (1) U.S. passport showing the correct gender marker; (2) birth certificate showing the correct gender marker; (3) court order recognizing the correct gender marker; or (4) signed letter from a provider confirming you have had appropriate clinical treatment for gender marker transition (must be on physician’s letterhead and include the physician’s license or certificate number).
HOW DO I CORRECT MY NAME & GENDER MARKER AT THE DMV?
In Nevada, if you are changing your name or gender marker, change your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA) first. Wait at least two days after updating the change with SSA to complete the change with DMV.
Changing Your Name with DMV
Bring an original or certified copy of your court order and your current ID with you to the DMV to change your name. This must be done in–person at a DMV office.
Changing Your Gender Marker with DMV
Nevada DMV does not require medical certification of a gender change. Your driver’s license or ID card will indicate the gender of your choice. To change your gender marker, you will need to apply for a new driver’s license. Visit the DMV website for more information: http://dmvnv.com/dmvforms.htm.
DMV suggests that if you own a vehicle that you also change the name on both the registration and the title so that these documents match your ID card. To change these documents, provide DMV with the court order for your name change, proof of insurance, and current registration. They will match the full legal name on your driver’s license. Note that the insurance card that you present to the DMV must already have your updated name on it when you change the name on your vehicle’s registration and title.
WHAT WILL NEVADA MEDICAID COVER?
Nevada Medicaid continues coverage for hormone therapy and mental health therapy for recipients with diagnosis of gender dysphoria. Beginning January 1, 2018, Nevada Medicaid expanded coverage for recipients allowing gender reconstruction services for recipients who:
- Have persistent and well documented case of gender dysphoria;
- Are 18 years of age or older;
- Are sufficiently physically fit and meet eligibility criteria under Nevada and federal laws;
- Have capacity to make a fully informed decision and give consent for treatment;
- Have had comprehensive mental health evaluations;
- Have lived 12 months in a gender role congruent with the recipient’s gender identity without reversion to the original gender; and
- Have obtained authentic letters from two qualified licensed health care professionals,
- A licensed psychiatrist or psychologist with which the recipient has an established and ongoing relationship; and
- A licensed psychiatrist, psychologist or physician that has only had an evaluation role.
Male-to-Female (MTF) surgery may cover: breast/chest surgery (mammoplasty) and genital surgery (orchiectomy, penectomy, vaginoplasty, clitoroplasty, vulvoplasty, labiaplasty, urethroplasty, prostatectomy). Female-to-Male (FTM) surgery may cover breast/chest surgery (mastectomy) and genital surgery (hysterectomy/salpingo-oophorectomy, phalloplasty, vaginectomy, vulvectomy, scrotoplasty, penile prosthesis).
Additional information may be located on the Nevada Department of Health Care Financing and Policy website. Go to: dhcfp.nv.gov and select “Resources; Medicaid Services Manual; Chapter 600, Physician Services."
