(a) IN GENERAL. In accordance with D.C. Code §§ 16-2501 to -2503 (2012 Repl. & 2019 Supp.), any person 18 years old or older who is a resident of the District of Columbia and seeks a declaration or order reflecting a change of name or gender designation, may file an application with the court.
Rule 205.Change of Name or Gender Designation
Group XIII: Court Records and Administrative Rules · Last amended 2020 · Last verified July 14, 2026
In one sentenceRule 205 sets the procedure for an adult DC resident to petition Superior Court for a legal name change or for an order recognizing a change of gender designation, including what the application must contain and how notice and the final hearing work.
Full Text of Rule 205
(b) APPLICATION FOR NAME CHANGE.
(1) Content. An application for name change must be signed under oath and must include:
(A) the applicant's present name, social security number, and date of birth;
(B) the name desired to be assumed;
(C) the reasons for the name change;
(D) the applicant's present residence and permanent domicile;
(E) the applicant's place of birth;
(F) the full names of applicant's parents;
(G) whether the applicant's name has been previously changed and, if so, the dates, places, and reasons for the previous name change;
(H) whether the applicant has ever been known by or used any other name not stated in this application, and, if so, what name and the dates, places, and reasons for being known by or using the other name;
(I) the applicant's occupation;
(J) whether the applicant has been the subject of a bankruptcy, receivership, or insolvency proceeding;
(K) whether the applicant has been convicted of a felony;
(L) whether any unsatisfied judgment or decree has been entered against applicant;
(M) the names and addresses of any creditors to whom the applicant is presently indebted;
(N) a certification by the applicant that:
(i) the application has not been filed for any fraudulent or undisclosed purpose or status, past or present; and
(ii) granting the application will not infringe on the rights of others relating to any partnership, corporation, patent, trademark, copyright, goodwill, privacy, or otherwise.
(2) Preliminary Review. At the time the application for name change is filed, the court must review the application to determine whether the applicant made a prima facie showing of the applicant’s right to relief. If the applicant makes a prima facie showing, the court must:
(A) set a date for the final hearing; and
(B) determine who, if anyone, is entitled to notice of the application and of the final hearing.
(3) Notice of Final Hearing.
(A) In General. The applicant must personally serve or send, by registered or certified mail, a notice of the final hearing and a copy of the application to the persons designated by the court.
(B) Proof of Service by Mailing. Proof of service by mailing must be shown by an affidavit stating the names and addresses of each person to whom notice was given and the date of mailing. The affidavit must be supported by proof of delivery by registered or certified mail.
(4) Final Hearing. The court must hold a final hearing on the application. Upon proof of notice as required in Rule 205(b)(3) and after determining that all persons who appear to have an interest in the application have received proper notice, the court may enter an order changing the name of the applicant. If the applicant has been convicted of a felony, the court must provide notice to appropriate law enforcement officials.
(c) APPLICATION FOR CHANGE OF GENDER DESIGNATION. The court must grant an order or declaration reflecting a change of gender designation if an applicant presents a statement from the applicant’s healthcare provider as described in D.C. Code § 7-231.22 (2019 Supp.).
Comment
This rule was amended consistent with the stylistic changes to the federal civil rules. Former section (c) addressing publication was deleted to reflect elimination of that statutory requirement. See JaParker Deoni Jones Birth Certificate Equality Amendment Act of 2013, D.C. Law 20-37, § 3(b), 60 D.C. Reg. 12145 (August 23, 2013). Also, the rule was updated to include applications for an order or declaration reflecting a change of gender designation under D.C. Code § 16-2503 (2019 Supp.).
Plain-English Summary
Rule 205 governs two related but distinct applications: a change of legal name and a change of gender designation. Either is available to a District of Columbia resident who is 18 or older, filed under the authority of D.C. Code §§ 16-2501 to -2503.
A name-change application must be signed under oath and cover a defined set of facts — the applicant's present name, social security number, and date of birth; the name sought; the reasons for the change; present residence and permanent domicile; place of birth; the full names of the applicant's parents; any prior name changes or other names used; occupation; any bankruptcy, receivership, or insolvency history; felony convictions; unsatisfied judgments; and current creditors. The applicant also certifies that the filing has no fraudulent purpose and will not infringe on anyone else's rights. Once filed, the court reviews the application for a prima facie showing that the applicant is entitled to relief; if that showing is made, the court sets a hearing date and decides who else is entitled to notice. The applicant then serves that notice — personally, or by registered or certified mail — and proves it happened by affidavit. At the hearing, once the court confirms that everyone who appears to have an interest received proper notice, it may enter an order changing the applicant's name; if the applicant has a felony conviction, the court also provides notice to the appropriate law enforcement officials.
A gender-designation change works differently. Under Rule 205(c), the court must grant the order or declaration once the applicant presents a statement from a healthcare provider that meets the requirements of D.C. Code § 7-231.22, without the detailed application and hearing procedure that governs a name change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can file an application under Rule 205?
Any District of Columbia resident who is 18 years old or older and seeks a declaration or order reflecting a change of name or gender designation.
What information must a name-change application include?
Present name, social security number, date of birth, the name sought, the reasons for the change, present residence and domicile, place of birth, parents' names, prior name changes or aliases, occupation, any bankruptcy or felony history, unsatisfied judgments, and current creditors, along with a certification that the application has no fraudulent purpose and will not infringe on others' rights.
Does everyone who might be interested in the name change get notified?
The court decides, at the preliminary review stage, who is entitled to notice of the application and the hearing; the applicant then serves that notice personally or by registered or certified mail and files proof of service by affidavit.
What happens at the final hearing on a name-change application?
The court confirms that everyone who appears to have an interest received proper notice, and may then enter an order changing the applicant's name; a felony conviction triggers notice to law enforcement officials.
How does a gender-designation change application differ from a name-change application?
Under Rule 205(c), the court must grant the order or declaration once the applicant presents a qualifying statement from a healthcare provider under D.C. Code § 7-231.22, rather than following the detailed application, notice, and hearing procedure that governs a name change.
Source & verification. Rule text and official Comments are
reproduced verbatim from the District of Columbia Superior Court Rules of Civil
Procedure, adopted by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Last verified July 14, 2026.
· Official source
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