A clear, step-by-step guide to legally changing your name in Minnesota - made by and for trans people.
🌐 Live Site: changeyourname.mn
🚀 Form Generator: form-generator.changeyourname.mn
If you're a trans person in Minnesota trying to legally change your name and don't know where to start, this site is for you. It breaks down the entire process into clear, manageable steps.
What you'll find:
- Step-by-step instructions for the name change process
- Links to all required forms and court resources
- An automated tool that fills out your forms for you
- Tips for navigating hearings, background checks, and court filings
- Real examples and practical advice from someone who's been through it
What makes this different:
- Written specifically for trans people, by a trans person
- No legal jargon or confusing bureaucratic language
- Everything you need in one place
- Free and open source
- Start at changeyourname.mn - Read through the full guide
- Check the assumptions - Make sure this guide fits your situation (listed in Step 0)
- Use the form generator - Let it auto-fill your court documents
- Follow the steps - Work through each section at your own pace
- Get help if needed - Links to additional resources are provided throughout
The entire process typically takes a few months and costs around $300-400 (or can be waived if you qualify for financial assistance).
This project has two main parts:
1. The Main Website (changeyourname.mn)
- Complete step-by-step guide
- Printable format with progress tracking
- Works on any device, loads fast
- No BS
2. The Form Generator (form-generator.changeyourname.mn)
- Automatically fills out all three required court forms
- Just enter your information once
- Download completed PDFs ready for filing
- Saves a lot of effort compared to manual form filling
This guide works best if you:
- Are 18+ and filing for yourself
- Have lived in Minnesota for your entire adult life
- Are a U.S. citizen
- Have no criminal history
- Have never been married
- Have no children
- Don't own land
If any of these don't apply to you, the guide will point you to other resources and official documentation that covers more complex situations. That doesn't mean this guide is completely incompatible with your situation, just that additional steps may be required.
This guide intentionally focuses on the most common scenarios to keep things simple and readable. It does not cover:
- ❌ Minor name changes (under 18)
- ❌ Cases involving marriage or divorce
- ❌ People with criminal records
- ❌ Land ownership disclosures
- ❌ Non-English speakers
- ❌ People without a fixed address
Why these limitations? I have limited knowledge and I want this guide to be short, clear, and immediately useful for most people. I discuss this more down below.
Hi! I'm Emma Zimbinski, a 21-year-old software developer from Minnesota. I went through the name change process in 2025 and was frustrated by how confusing and scattered the information was.
As a trans person, I found the legal system intimidating and the official documentation unclear. There was no single resource that explained what to actually expect. So I made one.
This is the guide I wish I'd had-- straightforward, accurate, and made specifically for trans Minnesotans navigating this process.
Built with simplicity in mind:
- Pure HTML/CSS/JavaScript (no frameworks)
- Semantic markup for accessibility
- Fast loading and mobile-friendly
- Printable design
- Screen reader compatible
Inspired by: The minimalist philosophy of sites like MotherFuckingWebsite.com-- content first, no bloat.
This guide is based on personal experience and research. Court rules can change, and individual circumstances vary. When in doubt, consult an attorney.
This project is open source and community-driven. You can help by:
- Fix bugs or add features
- Improve accessibility
- Add translations
- Enhance the form generator
- Update outdated information
- Add resources for edge cases
- Improve clarity of instructions
- Share the site with people who need it
- Report bugs or unclear instructions
- Suggest new features
Get started: Open an issue or pull request on GitHub, or email me at [email protected].
Don't want to code but need specific improvements? I offer low-cost freelance help (~$100) for individuals, nonprofits, or legal clinics looking to enhance this resource.
Q: Is this website only for trans people?
A: Anyone can use it! But it's written specifically with trans folks in mind. If you're cis, just make sure to uncheck the relevant prefilled sections on the forms if you use the form generator or interactive forms.
Q: Do I need a lawyer to change my name in Minnesota?
A: No. most people can complete the process without a lawyer. However, if your situation is complicated, consider contacting a legal aid organization.
Q: What if I'm under 18?
A: This guide doesn't cover minor name changes, which involve different procedures and parental consent requirements.
Q: What if I need help?
A: Check the resources throughout the guide, or email me at [email protected] if you're stuck.
This project is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 You're free to share and adapt it for non-commercial purposes with attribution.
Dedicated to Sara Millerey González, whose life and death calls us to justice. 🧱