SB 59: Expanded Privacy Protections for Trans, Nonbinary, & Gender Expansive People
Senate Bill 59 (SB 59) took effect on July 1, 2026. SB 59 changes how California courts handle records related to petitions for a legal name change or gender marker change and expands privacy protections. For cases filed on or after July 1, 2026, the court records are automatically confidential. For cases filed before 7/1/2026, people can submit a request that their previous court records be made confidential. This change may be particularly meaningful for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse Californians who want to reduce the public availability of information about a previous name or gender marker.
What Does Confidential Mean?
Confidentiality means that public access to the covered court records is restricted. The records are not available to the general public through the court’s public record systems.Confidentiality does not mean that the court record is completely erased or that no one can ever access it. Certain individuals (the petitioner, attorneys, and other people specifically authorized under the law) may still be able to access the records. SB 59 also does not make information held by other agencies, organizations, or private databases confidential. If your former name or gender marker appears in other records, SB 59 does not apply.
Steps to Request Existing Court Records for a Legal Name or Gender Marker Change be Made Confidential
If you filed a qualifying petition for a legal name change and/or gender marker change on or after July 1, 2026, the covered court records are automatically confidential under SB 59. You do not need to file NC-015 or NC-030 to request confidentiality for a qualifying case filed on or after July 1, 2026.
If your name and/or gender marker change was completed before July 1, 2026, you can request that your existing court records be made confidential by completing the following steps:
1. Find Your Original Case Information
You will need information about the original court case including:
The California county where you filed the original case
Your case number
A copy of the original court order, if you have one
If you do not know your case number, start by identifying the county where you originally filed your petition. California has a Superior Court in each of its 58 counties and procedures for accessing older case information can vary by county. Some Superior Courts provide online systems that may allow you to search for your case. If you can’t find your case online, call the Superior Court in the county where your original case was filed and ask the clerk how to locate the original case.
It can be helpful to have the following information available when contacting the court:
Your former legal name
Your current legal name
The approximate year you filed the case
The type of case, such as a name change or gender marker change
Any court documents you still have
2. Complete the Required Forms
NC-015 - Ex Parte Request to Make Records Confidential
NC-030 - Order to Make Records Confidential
California Courts provides the most current versions of these forms through its court forms portal. You can download the forms through the California Courts Find Your Court Forms portal.
3. File the Forms With the Original Court
File the completed forms with the same Superior Court that handled your original name or gender marker change case. There is no filing fee for this request. Once the court enters the order making the records confidential, public access to the covered court records is restricted according to SB 59.
Understanding these new protections can help transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse Californians make empowered, informed decisions you can take to protect your privacy. Knowing your rights and understanding the privacy protections available to you can help you make choices that feel right for you and support your sense of safety, autonomy, and agency.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general educational purposes and is not legal advice. Court procedures and forms can change, and individual circumstances may require additional steps. If you have questions about your specific case, contact the Superior Court that handled your original case or consult a qualified attorney or legal aid organization for guidance.