Emma Katherine Court Cost + Publication Fee Grant
No one should be prevented from having accurate legal documents because of cost.
The Emma Katherine Court Cost and Publication Fee Grant provides financial support to eligible transgender and nonbinary Wisconsinites pursuing legal name and sex marker changes, helping make this important process more accessible and equitable.
About the Grant:
The Trans Law Help Wisconsin team accepts applications but awards grants on a quarterly basis. Apply today and your application will be considered during the next scheduled review cycle. We reviewevery application with care, respect, and confidentiality.
We recognize that access to accurate legal documents can have a meaningful impact on safety, dignity, and daily life. We are honored to support individuals through this important step.
What Costs Are Covered?
Court Costs: Fees associated with filing a petition for a legal name or sex marker change.
Filing Fees: Costs associated with submitting legal paperwork.
Newspaper Publication Fees: Requirements for public notice in some cases of legal name changes.
Grant awards are based on:
Eligibility
Demonstrated financial need
Available program funding
Submitting an application does not guarantee funding.
How to Apply: The application process is designed to ensure that this assistance reaches those who need it most. To apply, you will need to:
Complete the online application form (scroll below), which includes a certification confirming that the fees associated with your legal name or gender marker change constitute a financial burden.
Important Information About Court Filing Fees
If you currently receive certain forms of public assistance or have limited income, you may qualify to request a waiver of court filing fees through the Wisconsin court system. Because court filing fees may be waived through this process, the Emma Katherine Court Cost & Publication Fee Grant generally does not award funding for court filing fees to applicants who qualify for a court fee waiver.
We encourage applicants who may qualify to request a court fee waiver before applying for assistance with court filing costs.
You can learn more about the court fee waiver process and access the required forms here:
Petition for Waiver of Fees and Costs, Declaration of Indigency
If your court filing fees are waived, you may still apply for assistance with required publication fees or other eligible expenses that are not covered by the court waiver process.
How Grant Payments Are Made
Whenever possible, grant funds are paid directly to the organization providing the service, rather than reimbursing applicants.
Our preferred payment methods are:
Court filing fees: Checks are made payable directly to the Clerk of Circuit Court in the Wisconsin county where your case will be filed.
Publication fees: Checks are made payable directly to the newspaper publishing your legal notice, when publication is required.
Paying courts and newspapers directly helps ensure grant funds are applied to the intended expenses and simplifies the payment process for applicants.
If direct payment is not possible, we will work with approved applicants to determine the most appropriate payment method.
Who Can Apply?
You may be eligible if you:
✔ Live in Wisconsin.
✔ Are seeking a legal name change, gender marker change, or both.
✔ Need assistance with eligible costs that are not covered through other available programs.
✔ Can provide supporting documentation if requested.
If you are unsure whether you qualify, we encourage you to apply.
