Chaz Bono Legally Changing His Name Gender

Chaz Bono filed a petition recently to legally change his name and gender with the state of California.

"It's just a straightforward filing," said Christina Wertz, the legal director of the Transgender Law Center, the organization assisting with Bono's petition to officially change his name -- previously, Chastity -- and gender. "This is something that transgender people often go through."

Wertz said the petition, filed with the California Superior Court, should take a few weeks to be finalized.

Bono announced last year that, with the support of his mother Cher, he would be undergoing gender reassignment surgery and transitioning from female to male.