Sometimes, the biggest breakthroughs come from the smallest changes.

Session Law 2025-54 might not make the evening news, but for thousands of North Carolinians, it’s a game-changer. Officially titled “An Act To Modify Provisions Affecting The Courts of North Carolina and The Administrative Office of the Courts,” this law quietly dismantles a barrier that has stood for decades: the public notice requirement for legal name changes.

As of December 1, you no longer have to post your name change intentions on a courthouse bulletin board for the world to see. It sounds like a minor tweak, but for many, it’s the difference between fear and freedom.

Why Names Matter

Names are more than words on a birth certificate — they’re tied to identity, safety and dignity. At name change clinics across North Carolina, we hear stories like:

Parents chose an unusual spelling that complicates life.
Someone is better known by another name.
Privacy concerns make a name change essential.
A name carries painful associations.

For transgender individuals, the stakes are even higher. A name can mean the difference between being seen as who you are — or being exposed to harm.

The Old Barrier

Before this change, the process was a gauntlet:

FBI and SBI background checks.
Filing fees.
Clerk’s application.
Public notice posted at the courthouse for 10 days.

That last step wasn’t just inconvenient — it was dangerous. Survivors of domestic violence, stalking victims, and transgender people faced exposure that could invite harassment or worse. Imagine trying to escape an abusive partner, only to have your intentions posted in public. For trans folks, being “outed” by a courthouse notice can feel like chumming the waters before diving into shark-infested seas.

Dead Names and New Lives

Transgender communities use the term dead name for the name assigned at birth but no longer used. Keeping that name private is critical because malicious use of a dead name can cause real harm. Public posting of a name change petition was a glaring vulnerability — a barrier that kept people from living authentically.

Breaking the Barrier

Session Law 2025-54 amended N.C. Gen. Stat. §101-2 to eliminate the public notice requirement for adult name changes. The background checks and court oversight remain, so public safety isn’t compromised. What’s gone is an outdated rule that endangered vulnerable populations.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just a procedural tweak — it’s a barrier broken. It means greater privacy, safety, and dignity for anyone seeking a fresh start. For many, it’s the first step toward living authentically and securely in North Carolina.

Want to Help Break Barriers?

The North Carolina Bar Foundation hosts name change clinics across the state, providing free legal assistance to those who need it most. These clinics are lifelines for transgender individuals, survivors of domestic violence and others seeking a new chapter.

Attorneys: Your expertise can change lives. Volunteer opportunities are available, and the need is great. Whether you can give a few hours or take on a pro bono case, you’ll be helping someone clear a path toward safety and dignity.

Learn more on the North Carolina Bar Foundation’s Volunteer Opportunities page. The next Name Change Clinic is scheduled for January 31, 2026, at the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice in Durham, North Carolina.

Want to learn more? Check out NC General Statutes Chapter 101 and the full text of Session Law 2025-54.

December 15, 2025/by NCBA YLD