Passports & Driver's Licenses

[ValRom]

Thought I'd pass along my experience with getting these changed pre-surgery. California allows us to change the gender marker on the driver's license (as long as one has a letter from an M.D. stating that you are transitioning) similar to the U.S. passport ruling from last year.

Get the DL changed BEFORE you get the passport changed - the passport office will want to see government-issued ID with a photo of you in your preferred gender (and new name, if applicable) along with the doctor's certifying letter.

If you're applying for your first passport, the next two paragraphs don't apply to you.

Here's my warning: If you already have a passport and want to change your gender marker, DON'T try to complete the forms online!

When changing your gender marker, the passport agency requires that you make application for a completely new passport (using form DS-11). At this time (August 2011), the online forms don't ask about a change of gender and it's very easy to get into the "name change only" mode which is not a completely new application - you'll end up with some other form and you'll have wasted some time and effort.

The Transgender Law Center has some good information about these processes.

[Traci Elizabeth]

That is true BUT they also require that you submit your passport paperwork in person to get you ID verifies and your signature notarized. Typically, this can be done at your main post office then they have to send all the paperwork directly to the Passport office.

One other thing. Before you can get your new license, you have to get your name and gender changed at the SSA office as DMV's have live computer interfaces with the SSA and those records MUST agree with each other in name & gender.

[Bree-asaurus]

That is true BUT they also require that you submit your passport paperwork in person to get you ID verifies and your signature notarized. Typically, this can be done at your main post office then they have to send all the paperwork directly to the Passport office.

One other thing. Before you can get your new license, you have to get your name and gender changed at the SSA office as DMV's have live computer interfaces with the SSA and those records MUST agree with each other in name & gender.

That's not ALWAYS true... I just got my DL before SS card. I think you might as well get your SS card first anyway just to be safe, since all I needed there was two forms of identification and the court order.

[Sarah Welch]

It would be nice to do away with some of the red tape and standardize the protocol for all citizens......
Some states have it down pat, while others still seem mired down in doing the things the old fashioned way, make it so difficult people just give up before even getting started.

[Bree-asaurus]

Bree - I suspect states have different requirements around the DL and SS card. California requires it.

That's why I posted :P