Know Your RightsHow to Change the Gender Marker on Your ID, License & Passport (2026)
Updated 2026-06-04 · 6 min read · An LGBTQ News guide
Updating the gender marker on your documents is done separately for each record. Rules differ by state and can change, so this guide explains the categories and points you to a live, authoritative tracker.
Each document is separate
There is no single place to change your gender marker everywhere at once. You handle each record on its own:
- State ID / driver's license — through your state DMV.
- Birth certificate — through the vital records office of the state where you were born.
- Passport — through the U.S. Department of State.
- Social Security record — through the Social Security Administration.
Requirements vary — and change
What each office requires (a form, a court order, or a provider's letter) differs by state and agency, and federal passport policy has changed over time. Because of that, the single most reliable thing you can do is check current requirements on the ID Documents Center maintained by the National Center for Transgender Equality / Advocates for Trans Equality, which tracks the rules state by state and is kept up to date.
Get help
If you run into obstacles, the Lambda Legal Help Desk and local LGBTQ legal organizations can advise you for free.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change all my documents at once?
No. Each record — state ID, birth certificate, passport, and Social Security — is updated separately with its own agency.
What do I need to change my gender marker?
It varies by state and agency (a form, a court order, or a provider's letter). Check the National Center for Transgender Equality's ID Documents Center for current, state-by-state requirements.
Where do I find current rules?
The ID Documents Center at transequality.org/documents tracks requirements state by state and is kept up to date, since rules change.
Is there free legal help?
Yes. The Lambda Legal Help Desk and local LGBTQ legal organizations can advise you at no cost.
More guides
This guide is informational and not legal advice. LGBTQ rights vary by state and change over time; use the authoritative resources linked above for current information, or consult an attorney for your situation.