These files are for changing your name in Bernalillo County, but the process will be similar throughout New Mexico.
Please let me know via DM on Discord asap if you discover any broken links here, or information that needs to be updated!
Files
Petition for Name Change.docx
Notice of Petition to Change Name.docx
Final Order for Name Change.docx
Updated Bernalillo County Instructions (March 2025)
These will be filed at the same time - the fee is something like $130 iirc. There is a fourth: Order to Seal Judgment which I did not file. The PDF for that is here: https://seconddistrict.nmcourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2023/11/Order_to_Seal_Adult.pdf
Note: I tried to pretty-up the forms that were on the county site, but the clerk may redo your filed documents using the original template. The Final Order might look like their PDF form when you get it back.
FILING YOUR COURT PETITION
You will file a petition with the county court to change your name. There is no gender marker in this part of the process. The filing fee in Bernalillo County is $130. Some of these forms will need to be notarized before filing. The court clerk may be able to do this, but the process might go more smoothly if you notarize them before filing. The notary you choose will see your old and new name, so maybe don't go to Billy Bob's MAGA Bait Shop and Notary Public.
If you live in a county other than Bernalillo, go to https://selfrepresentation.nmcourts.gov/name-change/ or google "name change new mexico <county-name> county"
The forms you'll need for Bernalillo County:
Petition for Name Change
https://seconddistrict.nmcourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2023/11/Petition_Adult.pdf
Notice of Petition to Change Name
https://seconddistrict.nmcourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2023/11/Notice_Adult.pdf
Order Sealing Final Order to Change Name
https://seconddistrict.nmcourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2023/11/Order_to_Seal_Adult.pdf
Final Order Changing Name https://seconddistrict.nmcourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2023/11/Final_Order_Adult.pdf
There's also an informational packet detailing the procedure
https://seconddistrict.nmcourts.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2023/11/Adult_Name_Change_Instructions.pdf
You'll file these documents (except for the Instructions one) with the clerk of courts, they'll give you a case number, and the case will be assigned to a judge. You'll get a letter in the mail with instructions how to attend your hearing - it will probably be held via zoom. It may be a few months before the court date; before getting your letter, you can check the status of your case here:
https://caselookup.nmcourts.gov/caselookup/
You can search using your last name and date range, or with your case number.
While you're waiting for the hearing date, make a list of all the places where you'll want to change your name.
COURT HEARING
You'll join a zoom call with 12 or so people. The judge will explain that they will need to state your old name out loud for the record - mine was very friendly and sensitive about it. I was 4th on the list, and 2 of the 3 before me were trans people. It was beautiful.
The judge will swear you in, and ask a series of half a dozen questions such as "are you changing your name to avoid creditors" or avoid jail or whatever.
You will be asked if you want a small number of certified copies mailed to you, or if you'd rather pick them up when they're ready. Mine were ready later on the same day.
I'd suggest getting plenty of copies! Many places will make a copy and give you back your certified copy, but you may also have to mail them to other organizations.
I got 10. It was /maybe/ a few too many, but keep one to carry with you just in case you need it. Social Security and your bank will probably make copies and hand them back, unless you do it by mail. Some organizations will accept an uploaded photocopy of your new driver's license or passport, and an uploaded PDF of your court order.
NEXT STEPS
Below is a suggested list of places where you'll want to change your name. Those marked with (%) are ones where you can change your gender marker, or where your gender might make a difference in related cost (e.g. car insurance). There is no longer any requirement for a doctor's letter to change your marker federally, nor in New Mexico. If you were born in another state in the U.S., there might be other issues with the gender marker.
Social Security (%) - this is sine qua non, assuming you're a U.S. citizen, and really must be the next step after getting your court order. If you're not a citizen of the US, we'll have to find out what you need to do.
the form you'll need:
https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf
But you should go through the questions at
https://www.ssa.gov/personal-record/change-name
and make an appointment when you reach the end.
You'll need ID and a certified copy of the court order.
You might be able to get your driver's license without doing this step, but I recommend getting the SSA out of the way ASAP. The IRS and credit reporting bureaus will take their sweet time recognizing your new name, and theoretically they get the news from the SSA, and in the case of the credit bureaus, your creditors. Banks and credit cards will need to have your SSN and name match up in the guvm't records.
Motor Vehicle Dept. (%) - driver's license and vehicle registration
Renew your license - and get the 4-year one!
NM MVD Request for Sex Designation Change - needs to be notarized
https://realfile.tax.newmexico.gov/mvd10237.pdf
Passport (%) - You can select M, F, or X for gender
For your FIRST passport: Form DS-11
https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds11_pdf.PDF
For renewal of your current passport: Form DS-82
https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds82_pdf.pdf
Banks, Credit Cards. Go in to your bank and talk to them. Really, that's the best way. Bring your documents and a smile. If they give you a hard time, ask for a cashier's check in the amount of the current balance of your combined accounts, less any pending debits, and take it to another bank for deposit.
Car Insurance(%). Ugh, I haven't done this yet. My car loan is just now paid off, so after I get my name corrected on the title, I'll just drop my old insurance and start a new policy. That might be the easiest route in any case.
Your landlord or leasing company, if you rent. Talk to them in person unless you don't like them.
Mortgage and title paperwork, if you're a homeowner. Likely, you'll need to file a quitclaim deed to change your name on the title paperwork. The homeowner's insurance might be paid along with your mortgage payment, in which case this part is a whole ball of wax I don't know how to deal with. My solution seems to be simply buying a new house, and moving out of the condo. Anybody want to buy a condo?
Homeowner's or Renter's insurance. I think the same method of drop the old, add a new policy might be your best bet. Apparently, I'm taking the "easy" way by simply buying a new place to live and moving all my stuff.
Health insurance (%). If you buy through the ACA marketplace, you'll change it on BeWellNM.com or whatever site you used for enrollment. Your insurance carrier will get the news someday, hopefully soon.
Birth certificate (%) or Consular Report of Birth Abroad(!). The Consular Report is federal, so you just fill out a form, send them a certified copy of your court order, and some $.
A FEW MORE THINGS
College and other school records - change your name in their records, and order replacement diplomas.
If you own a business as a registered LLC with the NM Secretary of State, and have an associated business bank account, you'll need to amend your Articles of Organization. Go to https://www.sos.nm.gov/business-services/business-maintenance/domestic-limited-liability-company/ and click on Restated Articles of Organization. Fill it out, follow the instructions. Don't forget to fill out and sign the Statement of Acceptance of Appointment, and the entire form. There will be a $50 filing fee.
UPDATE: the state will not change the name of the originator of an LLC. If you really can't abide having your deadname listed on the company, it's probably best to start a new LLC... and open a new bank account... :(
Other items to consider:
- Software licenses, maybe
- Shopping web sites
- Other clubs or organizations
- Library account (the cards here don't have names on them). You'll have to go into a branch. Librarians are cool.