Bill > AB1084

This bill streamlines the legal process for individuals seeking to change their name and gender identifier in California, with key changes taking effect on July 1, 2026. For adult petitioners, the bill eliminates the current mechanism allowing objections to name changes that align with gender identity, mandating that courts automatically grant such petitions within six weeks of filing without a hearing. For minor petitioners, the bill modifies existing procedures: if all living parents sign the petition, the court must grant the name change within six weeks without a hearing; if not all parents sign, the court will issue an order directing unsigned parents to file any objections within six weeks, with service required within four weeks. The bill also removes the previous 30-day requirement for filing court judgments related to name and gender changes with relevant state registrars, simplifying administrative processes. Throughout the process, the bill explicitly states that objections based solely on concerns about the petitioner's gender identity or assigned gender at birth do not constitute valid grounds for opposing the name or gender change. These modifications aim to make the legal process for gender and name changes more straightforward and less bureaucratic for transgender and non-binary individuals.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1084