Identification Documents and
Transgender People:
An Overview of the Name and Gender Marker
Change Process in the United States
The process for changing a legal name and/or updating gender marker depends
on where you live, where you were born, and other individual circumstances and
needs. This guide should give you an overview of that process!
Updating Documents & Records
The process for updating a name and gender marker on documents and
records typically looks like this...
Legal name change
Update social security record
Update license or state/territory ID
Update financial, insurance, school, & employment records
Update passport (if you have one)
Update birth certificate (if you need or want to)
To Change Your
Name
To Change Your
Gender Marker
In most states, you need an order from
the court to change your legal name.
Use copies of the court order to change
your name on any document and record
that you’d like to update.
To change your gender marker, follow
the instructions for each document or
record you want to update.
To change your name, follow the name
change process in the state where you
live.
To update your driver’s license, follow the
process in the state where you live.
To update your birth certificate, follow
the process in the state where you were
born.
For state-specific instructions on name change orders and
gender marker changes, see TransEquality.org/Documents.
Checklist
This is the typical process for updating names and gender markers. For
more details or more specific information for your state or territory, visit
TransEquality.org/Documents.
1 Some applicants may wish to file for a court order for gender change at the same time as their name change depending
on if the state or territory requires legal recognition of gender transition.
File for your name change in the state where you live or have residency.
☐ Find out if there is a fee or publication requirement and if it can be waived.
☐ Ask for your case to be sealed if you are concerned about privacy or safety.
☐ Obtain multiple certified copies of the court-ordered change (this may cost money).
Obtain a court-ordered name (if changing your legal name)
1
To update the gender marker on your passport, you will need to submit a letter from
a physician confirming that you have had appropriate clinical treatment for gender
transition. Use exact language from our sample letter at TransEquality.org/Passports.
All passport applications that include a gender change must be submitted in person
at a Passport Acceptance Facility (find one at iafdb.travel.state.gov). If you’re only
updating your name, you can submit your application in person or in the mail.
☐ Ensure that your physician follows the exact language of the NCTE model letter.
☐ Check to make sure a physician (MD or DO) signed the letter and that it is on the
physician’s letterhead.
Apply for an updated passport (if you have one)
Find more details at TransEquality.org/SSA
☐ Locate the nearest Social Security oce (secure.ssa.gov/locator)
☐ If changing your name bring a certified copy of your name change order.
☐ If changing your gender, bring proof of transition using one of the following:
A valid 10-year passport showing your updated gender
A birth certificate showing your updated gender
A court order recognizing a change of gender
A signed letter from a doctor on letterhead showing appopriate clinical treatment
A valid 10-year passport showing your updated gender
Update information with Social Security
Typically, you will only need a copy of your name change order, as many of these
documents do not show gender.
☐ Update your name on bank accounts, credit cards, and other financial records.
☐ Update the name on your health, car and home insurance plans if applicable.
☐ Update your name on any other IDs or records.
The processes for updating school and workplace records may vary.
Update insurance, financial accounts, and school or employment records
Update state ID or drivers license with the Department of Motor Vehicles
Complete this step in the state where you live or have residency.
☐ To update your legal name, bring your court-ordered name change document.
☐ To update your gender marker, follow the instructions in the state where you live.
☐ See TransEquality.org/Documents for more information.
ID Documents Center
Legal Services Network
If you want an updated birth certificate for school enrollment, employment, or other
reasons, follow the instructions in the state or territory where you were born,
regardless of where you currently live. If you were born in another country, follow the
process for that country.
☐ If you were born in a state where it is dicult to update your birth certificate you may
want to get an updated passport, which you can often use instead of a birth certificiate
as proof of citizenship.
☐ If the state where you were born requires a court order recognizing your gender to
update your birth certificiate, you may be able to get that court order issued in the state
where you currently live or you may have to petition the state where you were born.
For more information about your state’s process, visit TransEquality.org/Documents.
Apply for an updated birth certificate (if desired)
According to Selective Service rules, all individuals assigned male at birth are
required to register with Selective Service. All name changes are to be reported to
Selective Service. Learn more at at TransEquality.org/SSA-Trans.
☐ Fill out a Change of information form and return it with a copy of your name change
court order at Tiny.cc/SSS-portal.
☐ Individuals assigned female at birth may need to obtain a status information letter to
show that you are exempt from registering at Tiny.cc/Trans-Status.
Inform Selective Services of a name change (if applicable)
If you have changed your legal name, submit your court-ordered name change
document to update your name on immigration records.
If you are updating your gender, you will need to submit a driver’s license, birth
certificate, passport, court order, or other ocial government-issued document
reflecting the requested gender designation OR a letter from a licensed health
care professional certifying the change in gender as shown in the sample letter at
TransEquality.org/immigration-documents.
Update immigration documents (if applicable)
If you haven’t registered to vote yet and are able, please register!
Voter registration can be updated with the Board of Elections or with the
Department of Motor Vehicles.
☐ See USA.Gov/Register-To-Vote for more information on your state.
Update voter registration (if you are over 18 and able to vote)
More Information
Get state-specific information on updating your driver’s license, birth certificate, and
other records at TransEquality.org/Documents.
NCTE’s Trans Legal Services Network ensures that trans people can access assistance
navigating the complicated name and gender change process and any other legal
issues they may face. Learn more at TransEquality.org/Legal-Network.
