A Nebraska student’s chosen name, legal name, school record, identification document, and birth certificate are not all the same record. This guide explains Nebraska’s court process, the age-18-versus-19 issue, school and University policies, parent disagreements, publication requirements, and the separate procedures for identity documents.

A request for a Nebraska school to use a child’s chosen name or pronouns can involve several separate legal and administrative questions. This guide explains why families should distinguish between classroom use, school records, FERPA rights, existing custody orders, and a court-ordered name change. It also outlines Nebraska’s current minor name-change process, including the two-week publication rule, possible publication waivers, notice to the other parent, and the more complicated issues that arise when parents disagree.