Name or Sex Change (Gender Marker) - Minor

Yes - answer the next question.

No - you must wait until the minor has lived in the same county for at least one year. Then you must file in that county.

For a legal sex change, there are a few more requirements: 

• the minor must be at least 15 years and 6 months old,
• the minor must have outwardly expressed as the legal sex sought in the petition for at least 6 months, and
• all parents or guardians with legal custody must consent to the legal sex change.

If you meet these requirements and are asking for a legal sex change for a minor, go to Step 1

If you are not asking for a legal sex change, go to Step 2.

If you are asking for a legal sex change for a minor,  gather the following: 

• evidence of the minor's medical history, care or treatment related to their transition (like a letter signed by a licensed medical provider that says they experience clinically significant distress because of the current sex on their birth certificate)
• proof that they have outwardly expressed as the sex sought in the paperwork for the past 6 months, and 
• proof that the minor's desire for a sex change is true and an important part of their identity. 

You will need to file this evidence when you file your court papers.

Once you have your evidence, go to Step 2.

Fill out these forms:

• Utah District Court Cover Sheet for Probate Actions PDF Form | Fillable Form
• Petition for Minor's Name or Sex Change (and appointment of Private Guardian ad Litem) PDF Form | Fillable Form
• Notice of Hearing on Petition for Minor's Name or Sex Change - PDF | Word
• Order Changing Minor's Name or Sex PDF Form | Fillable Form

If you are asking for a legal sex change for a minor:

• Fill out this form also to appoint a private guardian ad litem (a lawyer to represent the minor in court): Order to Appoint Private Guardian Ad Litem PDF Form | Fillable Form
• Remember to include your evidence (minor's medical history, proof the minor has outwardly expressed as the sex sought in the paperwork, and proof that the change you are asking for is a true and important part of the minor's identity).

File your papers with the district court in the county where the minor has lived for the past year. Pay the filing fee. If you can't afford it, you can ask for a fee waiver.

The court will schedule a hearing. If the minor is on the Sex and Kidnap Offender registry, send a copy of the Notice of Hearing on Petition for Minor's Name or Sex Change to the Offender Registration Program at least 30 days before the hearing. Mail or email the notice of hearing to:

Offender Registration Program
Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification
Taylorsville State Office Building - BCI
4315 South 2700 West
Taylorsville, UT 84129
registry@utah.gov

Once you have filed your papers, go to Step 3.

If the other parent agrees with the petition, have them fill out this form:

• Consent to Minor's Name or Sex Change - PDF | Word

 
File the consent form with the court.

If the other parent does not agree with the petition, you will need to have them served with these documents according to Utah Rule of Civil Procedure 4:

• Summons (choose the right one depending on whether they live in Utah or not)
  • Summons (In State) - PDF | Word
  • Summons (Out of State) - PDF | Word
• Petition for Minor's Name or Sex Change
• Notice of Hearing on Petition for Minor's Name or Sex Change
• Your evidence

Once you have served the other parent, file proof of service with the court.

If you can't find the other parent you can ask the court for permission to use alternative service. For information about the process and forms, see our Alternative Service page.

Once you have either gotten consent or had the other parent served and you have filed proof of service with the court, go to Step 4.

The court will schedule a hearing after you file your papers. You must attend. At the hearing, the judge may ask you questions about your petition.

The judge will review the petition. If everything is in order, the judge will sign an order changing the minor's name or legal sex.

If the judge signs an order changing the minor's legal sex, the order will be effective on the minor's 16th birthday or immediately if the child is at least 16 years old. 

Once you have the order from the court, go to Step 5.

To change the minor's birth certificate, go to the Utah Office of Vital Records, pay the fee, and present a certified copy of the court's name or sex change order, as well as a valid picture identification. The Vital Records office is located at:

Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics
288 North 1460 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
801-538-6105

You can also ask for an amended birth certificate by mail. You can write to:

Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics
P.O. Box 141012
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1012

Once you have the amended birth certificate you can tell others, including schools and other entities who need to know about the amendment.