Many helpful resources are available that provide support, guidance and information, and community for Nebraska’s trans, nonbinary and gender nonconforming people.
The ACLU of Nebraska compiled this list of resources. Please be advised that neither the ACLU nor the ACLU of Nebraska guarantees or endorses the work of any of these organizations. If you know of a resource that is not listed here, please submit it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
NAME & GENDER MARKER CHANGES
Adult Name Change
The Supreme Court of Nebraska offers a self-help website to empower people to do their own name changes without hiring counsel. You can visit the site here for more information on how to file a name change on your own. This section will provide a brief overview of name changes in Nebraska and how they relate to privacy regarding gender identity.
In Nebraska, both adults and minor children can change their names by filing a petition in their local district court. Nebraska law requires everyone who files for a name change to meet specific requirements. The first requirement is that anyone applying for a name change must live in the county for one year before they can file.
This means that if you moved from Omaha in Douglas County to Lincoln in Lancaster County on June 1, 2021, you cannot file for a name change in the District Court of Lancaster County until June 1, 2022. It also means that once you move to Lincoln, you can no longer bring the case to Douglas County either since you no longer reside there.
Petitioners are also required to provide the court with their current legal name, address, date of birth, the reason for changing their name, and their desired new legal name.
In Nebraska, people become adults when they reach 19 years old, become emancipated, or get married. If you do not meet one of those three conditions, you will need a parent or guardian to file on your behalf.
Petitioners must publish notice of the name change in a local newspaper within the county. For adults, the newspaper must run the notice once a week for four straight weeks. For minors, the newspaper must run the notice once a week for two consecutive weeks.
If your county does not have a newspaper, you can publish the notice in the area's closest local paper.
When you provide the legal notice to the newspaper, it will include the following information:
- Your current full name
- Your new full name
- Your address
- The name of the court, judge, hearing date and time
If you are concerned about your safety and privacy, seek an attorney who can consult with you more thoroughly.
There are costs associated with filing a petition for a name change. You will be required to pay court costs and the costs of publishing notice of the name change in the newspaper. In re Change of Name of Pattangall, 23 Neb. App. 131, 135 (2015). You can find the court costs on the Supreme Court’s website. Currently, the court costs are $46, but those can change. The price for publishing in the paper depends on the newspaper. If you are unable to afford the costs of a name change, you can reach out to organizations like Legal Aid of Nebraska or Community Action of Nebraska for assistance with the associated costs.
After you file the petition with the court and complete the notice requirement, the court will conduct a hearing on your request. You are allowed to have any reason you want to change your name as long as you are not changing your name to commit fraud or avoid debt. You do not have to disclose your gender identity. You are allowed and can say that you just like the name.
Generally, court records are public records, which means that anyone can look up a name and see the court cases related to that name. While some trans clients have had success with getting the record sealed for safety and privacy concerns, there is no guarantee that every judge will grant a motion to seal.
If a court denies you a name change because of your gender identity, you should contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with information about your case and what happened.
More Resources
This link includes all the forms relevant to an adult name change in Nebraska.
The National Center for Transgender Equality resource hub provides information on the legal name change process for Nebraska.
The Professional Transgender Resource Network’s Nebraska-specific community resource outlines the legal name change process.
Change Name of Minor Child
Consent of both parents is required or notice must be provided to a non-consenting parent(s).
After filing the petition, the petitioner must publish notice of the filing in a local newspaper. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-21, 271 (2016). The adult who files the petition is required to attend a hearing in district court and to testify under oath to certain issues raised in the petition. Whether the minor is required, or permitted, to attend the hearing depends on the rules of the local court. Contact the clerk of the local court for information on a minor’s attendance at the hearing.
State ID
Name Change
After you obtain a court order changing your name, you can update your name with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
State law requires you to change your name on your driver’s license within 60 days of your name change hearing. You cannot apply online for a name change; instead, you must go to your local DMV to change your name. This DMV page provides a guide of the documents needed to change your name and the associated costs. It is important to note that you provide the DMV with a certified copy of the court order changing your name. You can obtain certified copies of the court order by requesting them from the clerk at the courthouse that conducted the hearing.
Gender Marker Change
To change your gender marker, you need to provide the DMV in-person this form signed by a licensed doctor of medicine, doctor of osteopathy, physician’s assistant, advanced practice nurses, or chiropractic doctor certifying that the applicant has undergone the necessary gender-affirming care procedures required for social gender recognition.
Although the form utilizes outdated language, it is quite broad in who can sign off on the gender-affirming care requirement and leaves discretion of what constitutes necessary medical care.
In 2009, the ACLU of Nebraska worked with the DMV to update forms that asked invasive medical questions for transgender people to change their gender marker. This process still requires licensed physician sign-off; however, the ACLU of Nebraska is committed to making these forms better represent Nebraskans and eliminating the invasive questions about an individual's medical histories.
For more details on Nebraska Replacement License, Permit, and State ID Cards, visit this webpage. For additional information on LGBTQ+ care, visit Planned Parenthood and the University of Nebraska Medical Center transgender clinics.
Birth Certificate
Birth certificates must be changed in the state where you were born.
If you were born in Nebraska, you are able to change your name and gender on your birth certificate; however, surgery is required to change the gender marker. Visit the State’s Vital Records Office and provide your name change court order. If you are also seeking a changed gender marker, bring a notarized letter from your surgeon stating the date of the procedure. When a name is changed on a birth certificate, the old name is crossed out and the new name is typed above it. The record will be sealed and can only be accessed by a court order. Also, bring a current ID and payment for fees. Changes to a birth certificate are $16.00 and copies of a birth certificate are $17.00 per copy.
Passport
Name Change
If you are updating your legal name only (no gender marker update) on an existing valid passport, you will need to complete and submit to the State Department an Application for a Passport Renewal (Form DS-82), your most recent passport, a recent color photograph of yourself 2x2 inches in size, and a certified copy of your order for a name change.
There is a fee associated with renewing your U.S. passport, which can be calculated on the State Department's Passport Fees webpage. You do not have to apply in person to change only your name on your passport.
Gender Marker Change
In 2010, the Department of State announced a new policy for transgender individuals seeking to change their gender marker on their U.S. passports. Under this policy, a transgender person can obtain a passport reflecting their current gender by submitting a physician's certification confirming that they have had appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition. No specific details are required about what type of treatment is appropriate for you and surgical treatment is not a requirement.
If you're updating your gender marker on an existing passport or getting a passport for the first time, you will need to complete an Application for a U.S. Passport (Form DS-11). You will also need your physician to complete this letter confirming your gender transition.
To review all necessary documentation, visit the State Department’s page on gender marker changes. There is a fee associated with applying for or renewing your U.S. passport, which can be calculated on the State Department's Passport Fees website.
Note you MUST take these documents and fees in-person to a Passport Acceptance Facility; there isn't an option to mail these forms. To find an acceptance facility closest to you, visit the State Department's Passport Acceptance Facility, Search Page.
The ACLU is working to further advance LGBTQIA+ rights by urging the Biden administration to issue an executive order to direct all federal agencies to add a nonbinary and gender-neutral X designation to all federal IDs and records and to remove documentation requirements for updating gender markers. Across the country, almost 40% of Americans live in jurisdictions that are now issuing state IDs with X markers, and almost 30% live in jurisdictions that issue birth certificates with an X designation. We need to get those numbers to 100%.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Support Groups
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UNO Student Life Gender and Sexuality Resource Center (Omaha) Programs & services for LGBTQIA+ people and survivors of interpersonal violence in the UNO community |
The Open Arms Trans Social Group (Omaha) Informal transgender support group. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
Families of Gender Expansive Youth (Omaha) A support group for parents and caregivers raising gender expansive youth. Currently meeting via zoom. |
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Proud Horizons Youth Group (Omaha) Youth group specifically for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and straight ally youth ages 13 to 23 |
River City Gender Alliance (Omaha) RCGA seeks to further transgender acceptance through education, community outreach and social/legal advocacy to improve the lives of transgender and gender-diverse people both locally and nationwide. |
Common Root Trans+ Support Group (Lincoln) Providing a welcoming, supportive community space with resources for the purpose of mutual inspiration, education, and connection |
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Lincoln Families of Gender Fluid Kids Informal support group for families with gender fluid children This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
Chameleons (Kearney) Chameleons is a transgender support group located in Kearney, Nebraska. This group remains secret to protect the safety and privacy of their members. Contact Connor or Dawn at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Organizations
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OutNebraska Empowers and celebrates thriving LGBTQIA+ communities |
GLSEN (Omaha) Improving school climate and championing LGBT issues in K-12 education |
Black & Pink Advocacy and support in prison system (national headquarters in Omaha) |
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Professional Transgender Resource Network of Nebraska An inter-disciplinary coalition of professionals providing transgender education and advocacy |
Heartland Pride (Omaha) Produces a series of community-based Pride events |
UNL LGBTQA+ Resource Center (Lincoln) Developing academic and personal success, community, and leadership opportunities |
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PFLAG Uniting LGBTQIA+ people with families, friends, and allies |
Panhandle Equality (Scottsbluff) Fighting for LGBTQIA+ rights through advocacy, education and community service |
Huespring A development program for LGBTQIA+ early career professionals from the Omaha and Midwest region. |
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Trans Stitchin' (Omaha) Free community closet that provides gender affirming clothing. Open Saturdays 10:00 am - 1:00 pm or by appointment. 7701 Pacific St. Suite 208, Omaha, NE 68114 |
Health and Wellness
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UNMC Nebraska Medicine (Omaha) Provides transgender health care |
Planned Parenthood of the Heartland Provides transgender health services |
UNO Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic (Omaha) Offers vocal training for transgender people |
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Affiliated Reproductive Health Clinics (Bellevue) LGBTQIA+ health clinic & gender services |
Barkley Speech Language and Hearing Clinic (Lincoln) Candidates for the services meet with a speech-language pathologist to adapt or modify aspects of their communication so their self-expression more fully aligns with their gender identity. |
NATIONAL RESOURCES
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Trans Lifeline A national peer support hotline, run by and for trans people |
Trans Student Educational Resources A youth-led organization dedicated to transforming the educational environment |
Schools in Transition A Guide for Supporting Transgender Students in K-12 Schools |
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Protecting the Rights of Transgender Parents and Their Children A Guide for Parents and Lawyers |
National Center for Transgender Equality Advocates to change policies and society to increase acceptance of transgender people |
U.S. Transgender Survey: Nebraska State Report The largest survey examining the experiences of transgender people in the U.S. |
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Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference The largest free, trans-specific conference in the world |
Movement Advancement Project Equality Map A snapshot of Nebraska’s equality profile |
Social Security
Name Change
To change the name on your Social Security card and record, you can apply through the mail or in person at a local Social Security office. This process can be done at the same time as applying for a gender change. You must submit an Application for a Social Security Card. You will also need to provide proof of your identity and citizenship or immigration status, as well as acceptable proof of the name change.
For additional information on required documentation, visit the SSA page on Cards for Adults.
If you decide to submit these materials in person, SSA won’t accept photocopied or notarized copies of documents, only originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. They will return any documents you mail with a receipt.
Gender Marker Change
Under U.S. policy, transgender people may change their gender on their Social Security records by submitting either government-issued documentation reflecting a change or a certification from a physician confirming that they have had appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition.
If you use a physician certification, it must come from a licensed physician with whom you have a patient relationship and is familiar with your transition-related treatment. All certificates must be on a physician’s office letterhead.
For more information, visit the SSA page on Gender Record Changes.