Transgender Resources and Diversity
The materials presented here in the workplace sections are from a Diversity Workshop Presentation.
It is recommended that appropriate legal review and care be used in the development or implementation of any diversity policy, program or use of these tip sheets.
Changing your Name and Gender on your Drivers' License
All of the highlighted statements and words are critical to this process, especially in your communication with the Department of Licensing.When it came time for me to change my name and gender marker on both my driver's license and SSN card, I knew that the first thing that I would need to do is to change my old legal male name to my new legal female name. The longest portion of the whole process will more than likely be the wait for the authorization letter from the Department of Licensing (DOL) and the wait to receive your new SSN card after you change your name and gender there. So what do you need to make this work? BTW, the bold letters indicate words that must appear in your and your doctors' letters, they are the buzz words that the DOL will be looking for to authorize the changes. I have included a sample letter that shows just what they will look for and that worked for me at that time..The very first and two most important items on your list are your Letter of Intent and The Letter of Treatment from your medical doctor stating that changing the gender marker is critical to your treatment. So let's take these 2 items individually.A. Your Letter of Intent sounds exactly like that. It is a letter that you must write explaining your intention to transition from one gender to another. The next thing that must be included is a letter from your medical doctor that is treating you for your transition; this letter must be on his or her letterhead along with their medical license number.
It must contain the following statements;
1. How long treatment has been ongoing.2. That the applicant is in treatment or the process of or has completed the process for gender change from male to female or from female to male.3. That the applicant identifies as the gender being presented and is currently living as that gender.4. This next statement is absolutely critical, without it you will be denied if applicant has not completed their transition the letter of Intent and your doctor's letter must verify or state that a change gender designation is necessary for applicant treatment.Unfortunately the following statement is the major change to the policy that effected this whole process. So now you must do the following:
Include an amended, certified copy of your birth certificate showing your new gender. If you cannot get an amended, certified copy of your birth certificate, include a copy of the letter on official letterhead from the state or country where you were born denying your request for an amended birth certificate, or a note indicating the state or country where you were born didn¢t respond to your request for an amended birth certificate. If the state or county doesn¢t respond to your request, we will work with you to get an amended birth certificate, denial letter, or confirmation that neither is available.
SAMPLE LETTER OF INTENT:
To whom it may concern,This letter of intent concerns, Current New Gender Name formerly known as Old Name.I am currently in the process of transition from male to female. I currently live full time as a female and this letter is to confirm that the next step in my treatment is to revise my gender marker to reflect my new gender which is female. (or change to indicate that you have had gender reassignment surgery.)
I started my transition from male to female in ____Date_______. My gender therapist Dr __________________ has provided me with my letter of determination of Gender Identity Disorder as defined by the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association. I started my Hormone Replacement Therapy per eligibility and readiness criteria as described in the HBIGDA Standards of Care, Version 6, under the care of Dr___________, MD in __Date_____. Since that date I have experienced the expected results of HRT which are un-reversible and have had gender reassignment surgery, see included copy of amended birth certificate.
Since that date I have experienced the expected results of HRT which are un-reversible and have had gender reassignment surgery, see included copy of amended birth certificate.Since this treatment is not only un-reversible, But also, since my physical appearance is no longer considered male the next step in my treatment is to change my identity marker on my license so that it reflects my new gender.I have included the following supporting documentation; Certified copy of Court Order for name change, An amended copy of my Birth Certificate (or a Letter or denial), a Letter of determination from my Therapist, A letter of treatment from Dr Your Medical Doctor, a copy of my current drivers license showing my old identity and a copy of my new license showing my new name.Prompt attention in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Respectfully, Your new name
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The Washington State Department of Licensing has issued a new policy regulating the change of gender markers on driver's licenses. It is supposed to be easier to change the information on your license now. The main change is having to do with only needing a letter from a psychologist for your transistion instead of your medical doctor. I found that having letters from both my doctor and my therapist created a quicker response from the department.
Please contact the Deptpartment of Licensing directly for answers to any questions.
Change your gender designation
If you would like to change the gender designation on your driver license or ID card to accurately reflect your identity, mail a written request to:
Assistant Director for Driver Services Department of Licensing
PO Box 9030
Olympia, WA 98507-9030
The request must include all of the following:
* A letter from you requesting the change in gender designation. The letter must include:
* The name, address, and gender designation shown on your current driver license or ID card.
* The name, address, and gender designation you want on the new driver license or ID card.
* Your current phone number.
* A letter on official letterhead from your licensed medical, osteopathic physician or psychologist stating you have initiated the appropriate clinical treatment.
* An amended, certified copy of your birth certificate showing your new gender. If you cannot get an amended, certified copy of your birth certificate, include a copy of the letter on official letterhead from the state or country where you were born denying your request for an amended birth certificate, or a note indicating the state or country where you were born didn¢t respond to your request for an amended birth certificate. If the state or county doesnot respond to your request, we will work with you to get an amended birth certificate, denial letter, or confirmation that neither is available.
* A photocopy of your current Washington State driver license or ID card.
* If you want to change your name, you must also include an original or certified copy of your Court Ordered Name Change.
How to update your records and get a new license
If we approve your request, we will send you an authorization letter approving your request to change the
gender designation on your license. After you receive this authorization letter,
you may visit any driver licensing office to update
your records and get a new driver license or ID card. Bring along all of the following:
* The authorization letter we sent you.
* Your current license or ID card.
* Cash or check to pay the $10 fee.
I'm afraid I don't have any information other than what is listed
above, so I can't answer questions interpreting what it means. Any answers that I would give would be guesses on my part.
The political climate in this country and state should be improving so hopefully this is just a temporary setback.
I would like to say first, "This does not constitute legal advice but only as a how to tip sheet to aid in the proper steps to take in getting your legal identification changed to reflect your true self. Also this process may not work in your state, this is written as it pertains to current Washington State law and policy."Copyrigjht 2009
Stephanie Snowden
Article on New Policy
