Recently, the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) has been contacted by concerned individuals who are having difficulties changing information on particular documents. In response to this, NCTE has spoken the Department of State and Social Security Administration about official policies on changing one’s name and gender marker. Here’s what we were told:

To change your name on your social security, you will need to present one or more documents identifying you by both your old name that is in the Social Security records and your new name. Examples of such documents would include a court order changing your name, a marriage certificate, or a divorce decree. The government may also accept two identity documents – one in your old name and one in your new name, such as the old social security card and new driver’s license (as long as it has your social security number on it). The document identifying you by your new name must be recent. Generally, they prefer to see a document with a photograph. A non-photo identity document may be accepted, however, if it has enough information to identify you (e.g., your name as well as your age, date of birth, or parents’ names). Acceptable documents include a driver's license, marriage or divorce record, military records, etc. All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency.

To change your gender marker on your social security, you must bring a letter from your surgeon or attending physician verifying that “gender reassignment surgery has been completed.” All documents must clearly identify the individual.

To change your name on your passport, you may either provide a certified copy of the legal document specifying the name change (e.g., marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order) or show that it was changed by other means (such as a common-law name change). If you have a legal name change, you may change your name by submitting the appropriate paperwork through the mail. If your name was changed by other means, you must apply in person.

There are two ways to change your gender marker on your passport, one method for those who are about to have gender reassignement surgery and another for those who have already had surgery. If you have not yet had surgery, you will need a recent photograph and a statement from your physician or surgeon. The statement should outline your medical history relating to gender reassignment, including past psychological and hormone treatment, your current stage of transition, and the approximate date of your gender reassignment surgery.

This passport is only valid for one year, and will only be issued once. Please take this into account when determining whether, and when, to get your passport changed pre-surgery.

If you have had gender reassignment surgery, you will need a recent photograph and a letter from your physician or surgeon documenting “gender transition.” The letter must include a detailed statement from the physician/surgeon stating that gender reassignment surgery has been or will be performed and include details of the surgery. There is no requirement that certain procedures or surgeries must have been performed. However, the physician/surgeon needs to state that gender reassignment surgery was completed on a specific date.

Shortly, NCTE will be releasing a guide on changing name and gender markers on IDs.