The steps for changing name and gender in Wyoming are similar but must be
done separately.
Make an application to the District Court at the County Court Building.
This is most easily done by asking the Clerk of Court for a copy of a prior
change of name filing. Most of the Clerks have these on open file and they
are available for a one-dollar copy fee. A few offices require that you
have a specific court docket number before they will make you a copy. If
this is the case in your county, go to the local newspaper office and ask
to see the last notification for name change published by them. The notice
will have the District Court number listed in the text. Take this number
back to the Clerk of Court and get a copy of that filing. Use a word processor
to set up a similar filing document substituting the name your present name
and the name you have chosen to use. Print out a hard copy.
Present the printed copy to the Clerk with a cash payment of sixty dollars
to have your turn on the District Court scheduled and a court docket number
assigned.
With the number in hand, return to the newspaper office and purchase the
required four-week public notice of your intention to change your name.
This costs about forty dollars in Sublette County or two hundred dollars
in Sweetwater County. The difference is due to the circulation size of your
local newspaper.
Take the receipt for the public notice and a clipping of the same to the
Clerk of the Court for inclusion in your docket file.
Show up in court. You do not have to appear dressed or be represented by
an attorney. It is helpful to have a letter from your psychologist or a
doctor explaining the reason you are making your name change.
The Judge will order the Clerk to issue the official declaration of your
new name.
Copies can then be taken to the Department of Motor Vehicles, Social Security
Office, Insurance and bank managers to have your name properly recorded
on all documents.
A new driver’s license and social security card will be issued.
Bring a surgeon’s letter to the Clerk of the District Court and file
a motion to have your gender changed. This has not been done very often
in Wyoming so most of the Clerks will simply schedule the appearance before
the District Court. No notice needs to be filed in the newspaper but the
same sixty-dollar fee will be paid to secure your docket number.
When the Judge orders the official gender change, take copies to the Department
of Transportation, Social Security, Birth Registration Office, etc., and
get all these documents changed.
If you are having surgery performed outside of the United States: Take
your passport with your proper name and present gender and a letter from
your surgeon to the Consulate office in that country. They will issue a
new or amended passport on the spot. You should have no difficulties returning
to the US even after the changes mandated by the Patriot Act.
This information comes from Senator Craig Thomas’ office in Rock Springs,
Wyoming.
