How to Change Gender on Driver’s License
You carry your ID with you wherever you go. Correct if your main identity document reflects your gender identity. Well, as far as possible with an identifier, it’s not always easy or accurate to describe a person with the letters “F”, “M”, or gender-neutral “X”. And for many transgender people, their gender isn’t really the item they checked when they got their license as a teenager.
The more closely someone’s gender marker matches how they identify themselves, the easier it is for people to access (and feel safe) in public spaces. A growing number of states are accommodating their non-binary, transgender, and gender non-conforming residents—nearly half of the country now allows people to choose an “X” gender designation for their driver’s licenses. However, most states still do not have a non-binary option. On top of that, many states unfortunately make updating the gender marker on your license much more difficult than it should be. If you’re transgender and want to update your ID, here’s what you need to know about changing the gender marker on your driver’s license.
State by State Politics
Each state has different rules and processes for updating the gender on a driver’s license. One thing that most states have in common is that you must be at least 18 years old to legally change your gender on legal documents like your driver’s license.
This map from the Traffic Development Project shows which states allow residents to mark M, F, or X on their driver’s licenses, color-coded according to how clear and simple the state’s policy is to actually change these gender markers.
Here are all the states that currently allow residents to choose the gender “X” stamp on their driver’s licenses:
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Columbia region
- Hawaii
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- NY
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
Although the following states do not provide a gender-neutral or non-binary option, they do allow gender markers to be changed on driver’s licenses, but only with proof of surgery, a court order, or an amended birth certificate:
- Georgia
- Guam (U.S. territory)
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Northern Mariana Islands (U.S. territory)
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
If you live in a state not listed above, it may have an obscure, unknown, or unwritten policy regarding gender marker changes. A court order or confirmation of the operation may not be required, but there are still onerous process requirements that vary widely. When viewing this map , be sure to click on your home state to learn more about what its specific requirements look like.
How to prepare for a gender marker change
While each state has its own set of requirements, let’s take a look at the New York process as an example of what you need to do to prepare for a gender reassignment.
To make any changes to your driver’s license, you’ll need the basics of a DMV: Social Security card (more on that below) and proof of your identity using a valid government-issued photo ID. There is also a specific DMV application for permit, driver’s license or non-driving ID .
According to the Silvia Rivera Legal Draft , one of the most important things you may need to change your gender marker is a letter from your doctor confirming or confirming your gender transition. This letter should be as clear and direct as possible about what your gender marker has to say. Moreover, as soon as you receive this letter, the draft law recommends that you make paper copies: some government agencies may take and keep your letter for their records.
Lastly, if you change your gender on your driver’s license, you will need to change it on all your legal documents to avoid mismatch errors in the future. Social Security is one of the first documents you should update as it will make it easier to later verify your gender for your passport, driver’s license and so on. Here is Social Security’s official guide to updating your gender on an entry.
For many transgender people, legal documents have both big and small impact. Whether it’s how you’re treated in junk mail, how the TSA treats you, how the bouncer at your favorite bar checks your ID, you deserve to travel the world as safely and honestly as possible.