Chaz Bono files legal papers to officially change his name and gender

Chaz Bono is making it legal.

The only child of Cher and the late Sonny Bono, who was born a girl named Chastity, has asked a judge to legally change his name and gender to reflect the sex-change operation he had last year.

A hearing for his request is scheduled for May 6.

“Once I began to actually deal with [my identity issues], everything in my life got easier,” he told People in December. “I’m a better version of myself. I’m much more present now and more engaged. … It’s hard for me to articulate how this feels – when you’ve lived your whole life and have everyone relate to you as something you don’t feel. When that finally gets righted, it’s amazing. I finally get to live my life the way I’ve always wanted to.”