resources for clinic volunteers


Thank you for volunteering with VLJ’s PRIDE Name Change Clinic! The resources below are meant to provide information and support to you while you volunteer with the clinic.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE CLINIC

  1. If this is your first time volunteering with VLJ, submit a New Volunteer Form online HERE.

  2. If you are volunteering for the first time (or if it’s been a while), watch VLJ’s recorded clinic training, available HERE. Materials from the training are available for download HERE, and the presentation is available HERE.

DURING THE CLINIC

Download and review the following documents.

At a minimum, you must complete the following with each client you meet with (one per team, per client).

  1. Limited-scope agreement: Physical copies of the agreement will also be available on the table for the client and ALL attorneys to sign (two copies). Provide one signed copy to client and leave one signed copy in the client’s case folder.

  2. Name Change Application

  3. Case Information Statement

Only some clients will be interested in applying for the Fee Waiver Application. Complete an application if the client is interested in seeing if the court will waive the $250 fee required to submit a name change application in New Jersey.

 

appointment process

Process flow graphic for volunteers at VLJ's Name Change Legal Clinic.

CLINIC WRAP UP

  1. Return physcial case files to VLJ staff; make sure it includes a signed copy of the limited-scope agreement.

  2. Send all prepared documents to documents@vljnj.org. VLJ staff will organize and provide to clients for final review and e-signing. VLJ will also help clients electronically file with the court, as needed.

NEW GUIDANCE IN RESPONSE TO EXECUTIVE ORDERS (JANUARY 2025)

  • In January 2025, the White House issued an Executive Order directing the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security to modify passport, visa, and Global Entry policies to reflect only the sex designations male and female, which the new administration has defined in a very restrictive way. 

  • Impacts on legal name changes in New Jersey:

    • There have been no changes to the legal name change process with the New Jersey courts. Individuals seeking to file a name change application can still do so.

    • New Jersey State-issued IDs (driver’s license, birth certificate) are also not affected by the executive order.

      • Real ID: Applications for NJ REAL IDs with inconsistent gender markers between state and federal documents should not be denied. If someone receives a denial, they should report it to Garden State Equality immediately. The Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) has confirmed (2/10/25) that they have not been asked to stop handing REAL ID applications with inconsistent gender markers.

      • Non-NJ Birth Certificates: If someone’s birth certificate is from another state, those state laws govern whether or not they can change the gender marker on their birth certificate. Clients should be advised to look into this before filing for a legal name change, so that they can make an informed decision before proceeding.

  • Federal-issued IDs (passport, social security card, visa, and Global Entry) will only allow male and female sex designations, and prohibit an "X" gender marker. They have stopped processing any pending applications that include gender marker changes on Passports and CRBAs. However, existing X-marker passports remain valid and can continue to be used for travel purposes. There are no confirmed reports of X-marker passports being confiscated by TSA.

For more information, please visit:

Garden State Equality: www.gardenstateequality.org/programs/name-change-project/

Lambda Legal: lambdalegal.org/tgnc-checklist-under-trump/