. Name Change Process in Wisconsin

A. Obtain a Court Order for Name Change

  • File a Petition: File a Petition for Name Change in the circuit court of the county where you reside. Forms can typically be obtained from the court or downloaded from the Wisconsin court system's website. You’ll need:

    • Completed name change forms.

    • Proof of Wisconsin residency (such as an ID or utility bill).

  • Publishing Requirement: Wisconsin generally requires the name change to be published in a local newspaper once a week for three weeks. You can request a waiver of this requirement if publication would jeopardize your safety.

  • Attend a Hearing: After filing and completing the publication requirement, attend a court hearing where the judge will review your case and grant a court order for a name change if approved.

  • Fees: The filing fee is approximately $150–$200, but fee waivers may be available if you have low income.

B. Update Your Name on Other Documents

  • Social Security Card: Submit your court order to the Social Security Administration (SSA) along with an SS-5 form (application for a new Social Security card).

  • Driver’s License/State ID: Go to a Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office with your court order to update your driver’s license or ID.

  • Birth Certificate (Optional): Submit your court order to the Wisconsin Vital Records Office if you wish to update the name on your birth certificate.

2. Gender Marker Change Process in Wisconsin

A. Updating the Gender Marker on State ID or Driver’s License

  • Requirements: To change the gender marker on a driver’s license or state ID, Wisconsin allows self-attestation, so no physician’s letter is required. You will need to:

    • Fill out a Gender Designation Change Request form.

    • Select the gender marker that reflects your identity (male, female, or nonbinary).

  • Process: Visit a Wisconsin DMV office with the completed form. You can select male (M), female (F), or nonbinary (X) as your gender marker.

  • Fees: Standard license renewal or replacement fees apply.

B. Gender Marker Change on Birth Certificate

  • Requirements: To update the gender marker on a Wisconsin birth certificate, you must provide a physician’s statement confirming the gender change. Surgery is not required, but the physician’s statement must affirm that you are undergoing appropriate clinical treatment.

  • Steps:

    • Obtain a letter from a licensed physician that affirms your gender change, specifying the treatment protocol used.

    • Submit the physician’s letter along with a completed Gender Change Form (provided by the Wisconsin Vital Records Office).

    • Mail the documents and applicable fees (usually $20–$40) to the Wisconsin Vital Records Office to update the birth certificate.

3. Additional Steps and Considerations

  • Passport Update (Optional): After updating your name and/or gender marker, you may also choose to update your U.S. passport. A physician’s letter or court order may be required.

  • Social Security: For the Social Security Administration, a physician’s statement or other documentation is needed to change your gender marker.

Summary Checklist for Wisconsin

  • Name Change:

    1. File a petition for a name change in the circuit court.

    2. Publish the name change (unless waived) in a local newspaper for three weeks.

    3. Attend the court hearing and receive the court order.

    4. Update Social Security, driver’s license, and other records with your new name.

  • Gender Marker Change:

    1. Self-attest at the Wisconsin DMV for driver’s license/ID gender marker change.

    2. Obtain a physician’s letter to change the gender marker on your birth certificate.

    3. Submit the necessary forms to the Vital Records Office for birth certificate amendment.

  • Required Forms:

    1. Wisconsin Name Change Form

    2. SS-5 Form