Trending
Susan's Place Transgender Resources
You are at:»Wiki

Changing sex on birth certificates in the US

From Susan's Place Transgender Resources
Jump to: navigation, search

These are guidelines for acquiring a new birth certificate in the United States with the name and/or gender marker corrected or amending the information on your current one.

In order to change your name entry on a birth certificate, typically you'll only need a certified copy of your court order to your change name as well as a small fee to obtain a new copy. This article, for now, is focused on how to change the sex marker.

In states that require a court order (or in other states, as an alternative method to a medical statement) to change the sex marker on your birth certificate, you usually need a copy of your surgeon's letter (post-GRS) to be placed into evidence before an order is issued. What constitutes sufficient evidence for a judge to issue an order, will depend of the state that the petition takes place in, and the presiding judge over the case.

Americans born out of the country who have been issued a Consular Report of Birth Abroad Certificate need to submit to the State Department a doctor's letter regarding their transition and a copy of Form FS-240 This is similar in requirement as the procedure to change gender in a passport book. [1]

Important: parents of minors seeking changes to legal documentation need to be mindful of their state's current or proposed laws that may restrict the rights of trans youth to seek medical interventions or documentation changes.

State by state

As laws vary in each state, be sure to verify the laws of your state before starting the process.

Alabama

Alabama will issue an amended birth certificate upon court order. The fact that the sex designation on the birth certificate has been changed by court order is noted on the document. You will need an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change. [2]

Alaska

Alaska will issue an amended birth certificate upon court order. Changing your name will require an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.[3]

Arizona

Arizona will issue a new birth certificate.
You will need a written statement by a physician verifying either that 1) GRS has occurred or 2) a record should be changed based on the results of genetic testing. An original or certified copy of the court order for your name change may be required. [4]

Arkansas

Arkansas will issue an amended birth certificate upon court order. Whether the old information or the fact that an amendment has taken place is readily apparent from the new certificate is a matter of judicial discretion. An original or certified copy of the court order for your name change is also required. [5]

California

California will issue a new birth certificate upon affidavit of a physician or court order. Post SB-179, physician statement is no longer required[6].

If name was previously changed either in or out of state, one can apply directly to the Office of Vital Records to amend the certificate's gender marker. This will require an affidavit of a physician attesting that the person has undergone "clinically appropriate treatment" which likely means a minimum of a monitored hormone therapy regimen.[7]

Form: VS 24 tl;dr instructions:

  • Print out and complete pages 11-13 of VS 24.
  • Have a non-cash payment of $23 (correction fee and one certified copy) to include.
  • If changing name or name/gender via court order include certified copy of the order.
  • Include VS 24 "sworn statement" signed by your two witnesses in front of a notary public. If you are including a court order you do not need the "sworn statement."
  • Mail or hand in the above to the nearest Vital Records office (on last page of VS 24).

If one is changing name along with gender marker at the same time, a combined name and gender court order might prove to be easier although the court will need said physician's affidavit in the petition filing. The civil filing fee ranges from $435 to $455 depending on the county, but those in difficult financial situations may qualify for a fee waiver.

Form: Petition for Change of Name and Gender
Form: Petition for Change of Gender and Issuance of New Birth CertificateUse these two forms if doing a combined name and gender marker change via court order. Do not send these forms to Vital records.

Colorado

Colorado will issue a new birth certificate upon court order. An original or certified copy of the court order for your name change is also required. [8]

Connecticut

Connecticut will issue an amended certificate with no reference to the old information. You must provide a notarized affidavit affirming that the existing vital record is incorrect or incomplete, and that the newly provided information is accurate. You must submit documentation to the Vital Records office in the town where the vital event occurred proving that the information to be entered onto the record is accurate. There is no processing fee for amendments or corrections. Cost of a replacement certificate varies.[9]

Only the commissioner shall amend a birth certificate to reflect a gender change. In order to request a gender change amendment the following documents shall be submitted to the commissioner:

  1. Affidavit from a licensed psychiatrist, psychologist or clinical social worker performing a psycho-social evaluation, attesting to the fact that the registrant is socially, psychologically and mentally the designated sex;
  2. Affidavit from the surgeon performing the sex change operation, attesting to the fact that the surgery was performed;
  3. Court order for legal name change if applicable.

Delaware

Delaware will issue an amended certificate with no reference to the old information, upon court order. Your petition to the court may require an affidavit of a physician documenting the gender reassignment. You may need an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.[10]

District of Columbia

Washington will grant new birth certificates to transgender people who provide a statement from a licensed healthcare provider that they have undergone "appropriate treatment" for a gender transition.[11]

Florida

Florida will issue an amended certificate with no reference to the old information. Changing it requires:

  • A completed "Application for Amended Birth Certificate"
  • A notarized "Affidavit of Amendment to Certificate of Live Birth"
  • A certified copy of a court order of name change
  • A sworn affidavit from the physician who performed GRS containing his/her medical license number as well as stating that you have completed sex reassignment in accordance with appropriate medical procedures and that you are now considered to be a member of the reassigned gender. It also requires a small fee.

[12]

IMPORTANT: Florida currently restricts not only trans youth from obtaining gender confirming healthcare services, but currently has a blanket ban on adults under Medicaid from receiving services.

Georgia

This state will issue a new birth certificate, based in part on the old record, upon court order. An original or certified copy of the court order for your name change is also required.

Georgia Department of Human Resources
Vital Records
2600 Skyland Drive, NE
Atlanta, GA 30319-3640
Phone: 404-656-4750
Website: health.state.ga.us/programs/vitalrecords/

For more direct means of obtaining instructions for correcting a vital record, contact the Legal Section of the Vital Records office (404-656-4901)

Hawaii

Hawaii will issue a new birth certificate. You will need a affidavit written by a physician that verifying that GRS has occurred. A court order is not required.[13]

Idaho

Changes to the gender marker used to be upon request [14]. If a name change is desired at the same time, you need to include a certified copy of the court order. House Bill 509, which effectively bans document changes, has been successfully challenged, however it is not certain when this will restore the right to have accurate legal documentation [15].

The following documents are required to be submitted per linked packet:

  1. An Application to Change Sex on an Idaho Birth Certificate, signed in front of a notary;
  2. An Idaho Vital Statistics Certificate Request, to get a copy of the new birth certificate;
  3. If changing the name, a certified copy of a court order for name change;
  4. A photocopy of the applicant's photo ID;
  5. Fee of $20 to process the application and $16 for each new birth certificate.

Mail the application/documentation to:
Idaho Vital Records PO Box 83720 Boise, Idaho 83720?0036

Illinois

Illinois will issue a new birth certificate and also seal the old record to the public. While the language "...after undergoing an operation(s) having the effect of reflecting, enhancing, changing, reassigning or otherwise affecting gender." implies genital surgery, it is not required to have had genital surgery for gender marker change.[16] However, it also does not state exactly what criteria is considered acceptable evidence. Therefore you must contact DPH to obtain an up to date form for gender change on your birth certificate.[17]

If you want your name changed at this time, a certified copy of the Court Order of Legal Name Change must be submitted as well. The fee to create a new birth record is $15 and includes one certified copy, additional copies of the same record requested at the same time are $2 each.

Indiana

This state will issue an amended birth certificate upon court order. The old record is sealed and the new record/certificate does not reveal the fact that amendments have taken place. The order must specifically order the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) to change the sex on your birth certificate. You will need to produce a surgeon's letter to the court as evidence of (genital) surgery.

The fee to create a new birth record is $18 with checks or money orders made out to "ISDH."[18]

Iowa

Iowa will issue a new birth certificate but it must be accompanied by a notarized affidavit from a licensed physician/surgeon or osteopathic physician/surgeon stating that by reason of surgery or other treatment by the licensee, the sex designation of the person has been changed. A name change requires an original or certified copy of the court order.[19]

Kansas

Kansas will issue an amended birth certificate. The new certificate will state that it has been amended but will not reveal which items were changed. Changing the gender marker requires a doctor's letter verifying that GRS has taken place. [20]

Kentucky

Kentucky will issue an amended certificate after submitting a "sworn statement" by a licensed physician stating that the applicant has had GRS. Also required is an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change. Please note that current interpretation of Kentucky law may require a notarized letter from your GRS surgeon, which can be difficult if your surgery was performed in the past or in another country.[21]

Louisiana

Louisiana will issue a new birth certificate upon court order. Evidence needed includes an original letter from your GRS surgeon and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change. If you are married, your spouse must give written consent for the changes. [22]

Maine

The Office of Vital Records will issue an amended birth certificate upon the order of the local probate court and the payment of a fee. Applicants must submit to the court an Application for Correction (Form VS-7: "Correcting a Vital Record in Maine") and a letter from the treating physician verifying that the surgery/treatment has been "completed." Both Form VS-7 and the letter attesting surgery must be notarized before submitted to the court.

The certificate will be marked "amended," a date stamp will be placed on the document, and a summary description of the evidence submitted in support of the correction will be permanently attached to it. The Office of Vital Records may issue a new certificate with no indication of the changes made on request.

Office of Vital Records
Maine Department of Human Services
244 Water Street
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
Website: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/public-health-systems/data-research/vital-records/forms/index.shtml

Maryland

Maryland will issue an amended birth certificate upon court order. Current policy is to mark the new certificate as having been amended unless the court order specifies that the original record is to be sealed. It is possible to obtain a Court Order to indicate the correct sex along with your new name should you desire to change them simultaneously. An original or certified copy of the court order for your name change may be required.[23]

Massachusetts

Massachusetts will issue an amended birth certificate. You will need an original letter from your GRS surgeon and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change. The letter from the surgeon must use the word "completed," not just "performed."[24]

Michigan

Michigan will issue a new birth certificate. You will need an affidavit from a physician certifying that GRS has been performed and, if your name is being changed also, an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change. The fee is $26.00. [25]

Minnesota

Minnesota will issue an amended birth certificate upon court order by default. In theory the Department of Health allows for gender marker change with a surgeons letter and a separate statement from a local physician. In practice only court orders are accepted by the Department of Health and the court order must direct the Department to change the birth record.[26]

The court order must state:

  • The EXACT name of the person on the existing birth certificate to be amended
  • The birth record be changed in the "It is ordered that" section of the court order

If the court order does not require the Department of Health to issue a new birth certificate the replacement one will be marked as amended.

A certified copy of the court order along with a notarized Application to Amend a Birth Record is then sent to:

Minnesota Department of Health
Central Cashiering - Vital Records
P.O. Box 64499
St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0499
Website: www.health.state.mn.us/divs/chs/osr/amend.html

Your documents will be returned after processing (average 2 months wait). There is a $40 fee to amended a birth record. There is a separate $26 fee for the first copy of the new or amended birth certificate.

Mississippi

Mississippi may issue an amended birth certificate upon affidavit of at least two reputable persons having personal knowledge of the facts in relation thereto. Changes are at the discretion of the state registrar of vital records. The amended birth certificate will have the new name and gender typed in the margin but the original name and gender fields will remain unchanged.[27]

Missouri

Missouri will issue an amended birth certificate upon court order. You will need an original or certified copy of the court order for the name change. The birth certificate will be marked Amended.

Contact Information: The best way to contact the Bureau of Vital Records is at a local Health Department Or by phone anywhere in the state (601) 576-7981 The Website is: http://www.dhss.mo.gov/BirthAndDeathRecords/index.html

Montana

Montana will issue an amended birth certificate upon filing a sworn affidavit with the health department [28]. If the registrant's name is also to be changed, the court order must indicate the full name of the registrant as it appears on the birth certificate and the full name to which it is to be altered. Any certified copy issued after the amendment will indicate it was altered [29].

MT used to require a doctor's letter attesting to unspecified surgical procedures, but this and subsequent refusals to change documentation resulted in losing an ACLU lawsuit [30]. The state is currently in defiance of the court order and may refuse requests for document changes.

Nebraska

Nebraska will issue a new birth certificate, upon receipt of a notarized affidavit from the physician that performed GRS, and a certified copy of an order of name change. The evidence from which the new certificate is prepared and the original certificate of birth shall be available for inspection only upon the order of a court of competent jurisdiction. The affidavit must be notarized in presence of the GRS surgeon, and since notaries do not exist in Thailand, it is difficult to get proper paperwork certifying that GRS was actually performed. You can only get a notarized affidavit at the US embassy unless you get the doctor to go there with you. [31]

Nevada

Nevada will issue a new birth certificate upon court order. The court order must specify those facts to be changed on the new certificate. All other items must remain as they originally appeared on the original certificate.[32]

New Hampshire

New Hampshire will issue a new birth certificate upon court order. This is obtained by submitting evidence of genital reassignment surgery. The new birth certificate will reflect the specific amendments that have been made, will bear the phrase “gender changed per court order” and will also add “AKA” to the text between the old and new names. It is theoretically possible to have the court order specify that these changes not be noted on the document itself. You will also need an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change. [33]

The courts of the state of New Hampshire find that said request of relief is proper and that such change will not be detrimental to the interest of any persons, nor be against the interest of the state or of any given establishment. Wherefore, the courts of the state of New Hampshire understand that select circumstances, such as this case, require judicial intervention in order to prevent discrimination, especially inequality in medical care and public accommodation.

Thereto, the explicit requirement of surgical procedures or medications that may be deemed unsuitable, dangerous, unnecessary, or currently irrelevant to the Petitioner by medical assertion shall be given relief notwithstanding N.H. Code Admin. R. He-P 7007.03(e). Upon such relief as given by the courts the vital record(s) of the said Petitioner shall be amended in such a way as to cause a new birth certificate to be issued without showing any changes or amendments to such record, including the corresponding certificate.


New Jersey

New Jersey will issue an amended birth certificate.

Changing the gender marker requires a statement from a licensed physician stating that the applicant has had "clinically appropriate treatment for the purpose of gender transition, based on contemporary medical standards, or that the person has an intersex condition" [34].

In February 2019, changes to policy will formally remove the requirement for genital surgery and add a non-binary option; but it is unclear as to the process to request changes as the form is password protected [35].

New Mexico

New Mexico will issue a new birth certificate. The old information will be ‘sealed’ and cannot be opened without a court order. The change will be granted upon receipt of a duly-notarized statement from the person in charge of an institution or from the attending physician indicating that the sex of an individual born in this state has been changed by surgical procedure, together with a certified copy of an order changing the name of the person.

Vital Records and Health Statistics Bureau
1105 St. Francis Drive
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87503
Toll-free: 866-534-0051
Website: www.health.state.nm.us/

New York

There are two processes to change gender marker depending on if you were born in New York City or in the rest of the state.

New York

In order to change the name on a birth certificate filed in New York State (outside of New York City) a court order is required. The order must have the court seal and be certified by the clerk of the court. Certified proof of publication must be included if it was required when you changed your name. Please make certain the court order includes the following information needed to identify the person named on the certificate: original name, date and place of birth.

In order to change the sex on the birth certificate you must submit written certification from a licensed medical provider (likely a MD physician or psychiatrist) stating that the applicant is undergoing "appropriate clinical treatment". Forms are not currently available on the Department of Health website. The fee for new copies of your birth certificate vary depending on how the changes were submitted.

New York City

As of January 1, 2019, New York City allows self identification in order to change the gender marker. Non-binary persons are allowed to use a "X" instead of the traditional "M" or "F" only options. It is unclear as to which forum to use yet as they have not been updates as of this revision [36]. It is also unclear if the changes to policy regarding gender marker change apply to the need for a certified copy of name change.

North Carolina

North Carolina will issue a new birth certificate. Required is a sworn statement, accompanied by one of the following confirming a person's gender identity:[37]

  1. A (gender corrected) passport
  2. A state-issued ID, such a driver’s license
  3. Certification issued by a licensed healthcare professional, social worker or case manager.[38]

North Dakota

North Dakota will issue an amended birth certificate. The new certificate will be clearly marked in the upper margin with the word "amended." The original certificate shall then be placed in a special file and shall not be open to inspection except by order of a court of competent jurisdiction or by the state registrar for purpose of carrying out the provisions of North Dakota Century Code chapter 23-02.1 and properly administering the vital records registration program. The evidence and documents required include:

  • A written request of the person who has undergone the operation
  • An affidavit by a physician that the physician has performed an operation on the person, and that by reason of the operation, the sex designation of such person's birth certificate should be changed
  • And a certified copy of your court order decreeing a legal change in name

See http://www.ndhealth.gov/vital for more up to date information.

Ohio

Ohio will change name, gender marker, or both on the birth certificate upon submission of a valid probate court order.[39] This can include an order from an out of state judge. If (you) are out of state, the order can be mailed to:


Ohio Department of Health
 Bureau of Vital Statistics
PO Box 15098
Columbus, OH. 43215-0098

The process to change the certificate is free however there is costs for a new physical copy (the old certificate will be sealed).[40]

Oklahoma

Oklahoma will, by default, issue a new birth certificate. The amended information may be noted on the birth certificate. In order to change it, both a court order and a doctor's letter may be required.[41] Oklahoma currently has a ban on non-binary gender designations on identity documents.

Oregon

As of November, 2018, Oregon allows changing of the gender marker without a court order by signing a OHA 2673 application in front of a notary public [42]. Applicants may still require a formal court order for name change depending on if it was previously been amended. The fee for a corrected birth certificate is $35 for the administrative fee, and $25 for a copy. If it not clear if the fee waver for homeless persons applies [43].

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania will issue an amended birth certificate upon court order. There is no mention that any information was amended on the new certificate. Documents to be included with the application include:

  • The original letter from your SRS surgeon, stating that surgery has been performed
  • An original or certified copy of the court order for your name change

See the following link for an application and contact information: http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/cwp/view.asp?a=168&Q=202212

Rhode Island

For changes to the sex designation on birth certificates, the Office of Vital Records has a policy requiring that a licensed medical provider certify that the person has gone through surgical, hormone therapy, or other appropriate treatment.[44]

Rhode Island will issue an new birth certificate that does not disclose previous changes.

South Carolina

South Carolina will NOT issue a new birth certificate or amend the old the one. They will send a "card" that can be attached to the old birth certificate indicating change of name and sex. The Bureau of Vital Statistics requires an original court order for the name change and a letter from the GRS surgeon. The fee is $39.00.[45]

Dept. of Health and Environmental Control
Bureau of Vital Statistics
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: 803-898-3630

South Dakota

This state requires a court order to amend a birth certificate. To change the gender marker you'll need to submit evidence of GRS surgery to the court. Although the Registrar will follow any specific instructions in a court order, their general policy is to issue a new certificate with no indication of amendment. [46]

Tennessee

This state will only change the name on a birth certificate. The sex of an individual will not be changed on the original certificate of birth as a result of GRS. [47]

Texas

This state may amend the existing birth certificate. Prior to Littleton v. Prange, Texas issued new birth certificates. To change the gender marker requires:

  • The original court order of name change
  • A notarized copy of the Surgeon's Letter
  • And a copy of your Driver's License or state issued ID card.

Depending on the county you live in, it may be difficult to correct information on your birth certificate without the use of a court order. [48]

Utah

Utah will issue an amended certificate. The new certificate will state that it has been amended but will not reveal which items were changed.

You will need a certified copy of the court order for your name change and/or change of sex designation. In order to obtain a court order, it is likely one needs a letter certifying that reassignment surgery has been performed. There is a $25 fee. [49]

Vermont

Vermont will issue a replacement certificate upon court order.[50]

Surgery is not a requirement in supporting evidence.[51] There is a fee of $15 for the replaced certificate.

(a) Upon receiving from the probate division of the superior court a court order that an individual’s sexual reassignment has been completed, the state registrar shall issue a new birth certificate to show that the sex of the individual born in this state has been changed.

(b) An affidavit by a licensed physician who has treated or evaluated the individual stating that the individual has undergone surgical, hormonal, or other treatment appropriate for that individual for the purpose of gender transition shall constitute sufficient evidence for the court to issue an order that sexual reassignment has been completed. The affidavit shall include the medical license number and signature of the physician.

(c) A new certificate issued pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be substituted for the original birth certificate in official records. The new certificate shall not show that a change in name or sex, or both, has been made. The original birth certificate, the probate court order, and any other records relating to the issuance of the new birth certificate shall be confidential and shall not be subject to public inspection pursuant to 1 V.S.A. § 317(c); however an individual may have access to his or her own records and may authorize the state registrar to confirm that, pursuant to court order, it has issued a new birth certificate to the individual that reflects a change in name or sex, or both.

(d) If an individual born in this state has an amended birth certificate showing that the sex of the individual has been changed, and the birth certificate is marked “Court Amended” or otherwise clearly shows that it has been amended, the individual may receive a new birth certificate from the state registrar upon application.

Virginia

Virginia will issue an amended certificate upon court order. The State Registrar may issue a new birth certificate if presented with a notarized affidavit from the physician performing the surgery.

A certified copy of your name change (court order) as well as a copy of the order to change the legal sex (marker) must be in the possession of the State Registrar along with a request for a new (birth) certificate.[52]

Washington

Washington State will issue a new birth certificate. The old record is deleted. In order to change the gender marker (including a non-binary option) one needs to submit a correction forum along with a notarized form. The fee for the replacement certificate varies depending on if ordered online ($31) or in person ($20) [53]. If your legal name is different than what is currently on the birth certificate you will need to include a certified copy of the court order.

West Virginia

West Virginia will issue an replacement birth certificate upon request and submission of documentation attesting to one's gender identity. Previous birth certificates containing outdated gender field of so-called dead name, can be replaced upon request [54]

Vital Registration, Room 165
350 Capitol Street
Charleston, WV 25301-3701
Phone: 304-558-2931
Fax: 304-558-8001
Website: www.wvdhhr.org/

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Eastern Time

Wisconsin

Wisconsin will issue an amended birth certificate upon court order. Whether the new document reflects the changes made is a matter of judicial discretion. To obtain a court order, you will need a signed, dated, notarized letter from your surgeon confirming the date of the procedure. The surgeon should include your name, date of birth, date of surgery, information on what surgery was performed, and where it was performed. The form that needs to be filled out for the birth certificate change is DOH 5035. You will need to include your original birth certificate or a certified copy.

Vital Records Office
1 West Wilson Street, Room 158
Madison WI 53702
608-267-7821
Website: www.dhfs.state.wi.us/vitalrecords/index.htm

Wyoming

Wyoming will issue an amended birth certificate upon court order. Whether the new document reflects the changes made is a matter of judicial discretion.

Vital Statistics Services
2300 Capitol Avenue
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Phone: 307-777-7591
Website: health.wyo.gov/rfhd/vital_records/index.html

External links

Discuss

Retrieved from "https://www.susans.org/wiki/index.php?title=Changing_sex_on_birth_certificates_in_the_US&oldid=17461"