Disclaimer: This is legal talk, not legal advice. Laws vary by
state, and some of the information discussed on this page may not be applicable
in your case. It is up to you to confirm any information herein by doing your
own research.
Special note to young people
These
legal changes are essential to protect your basic rights including marriage and employment. Don't be afraid to take these legal steps because they seem complicated or embarassing.
Failure to take care of your legal issues could
lead to much worse problems later. Trans people have been dragged
into court and put on television in highly publicized court cases
because they didn't bother to take care of their legal documents. An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure in this case. You'll thank me later!
Make this your first priority. You
will not run into any problems if you get this document first, since everyone
accepts it as valid proof. Other documents might not be adequate in some cases. See the name change page.
After getting a court order for name
change, I recommend getting your Social Security card changed next.
Some states require a Social Security card for a driver's license
name change. You will probably need your Social Security switched over to change any employment
and financial information. See the Social Security page.
Getting your name changed on your driver's license or state-issued identification card is not a legal name change. You must go to court for a legally binding change of name and sex.
Some states are now linking their records with Social Security
records, so you may need to revise your Social Security information before
you can get a license or state ID changed. Contact your local bureau to find out
what procedure and identification is required in your case. Many states require Birth certificate, Social security card (new name), and two forms of other ID, showing your new name and residence, such as utility bills or
medical records. See the driver's license page.
I strongly urge you to amend your birth certificate as soon as you have completed all the physical changes you intend to make. Procedures vary by state. If you don't live in the state where you were born,
you may need to have a court order performed in your current state of residence
and then have it sent to you birth state. See the birth certificate page.
To get your name and sex changed on a valid US passport, you will need a court-ordered
name change a certification from a physician confirming that he or she has had appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition. See the passport page.
Trans people should all have a legal will outlining their wishes. This is especially true for those in committed relationships and those with children. Your spouse or partner should also draw up a will explaining their wishes, or you could lose your inheritance, children, or other important things in your life.
