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 on your Social Security Card, Birth Certificate, Bank, Vehicle Registration, Credit Cards, etc

"This does not constitute legal advice but only as a how to tip sheet to aid in the steps to take in getting your legal identification changed to reflect your new identity.

The next thing to do is to get your Social Security card changed to reflect your new name and for their records to show your new gender.

Again you can do this with just the copies of your court order and new license, but to get the gender marker changed you will need the license to show the gender marker change there also.

To do this you will need the following documents.

Court Order showing new name

Drivers' License showing old name

Drivers license showing new information, this must be the "hard copy", they will not accept temporary license copies.

A copy of your birth certificate showing both parents names and place of birth.

Even with the gender marker change on your new driver's license they will not change the gender marker on your SSN records until you provide proof of Gender Reasignment Surgery.

This process doesn't take long and only needs to be done once if you wait until you get your new license with both your name and gender change.  At that time you will be given a letter of receipt that states that your name has been changed in their system.  It will take approximately two weeks for you to receive your new card in the mail.

If you have a letter of proof of GRS then the following is the approved method to change the gender marker on your SSA Records.

Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card, is the appropriate form to request a correction in the gender shown on your record in error.

The form includes instructions for completing the application and discusses the documents that must be submitted with it.  Applicants for a gender correction based on an error in their record, must submit evidence showing the correct gender.

A new card will not be issued if you still possess your old one; only your gender will be corrected on our records.

The documents presented as evidence must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency.  We cannot accept uncertified or notarized photocopies as evidence since we cannot verify their authenticity.

You can also access Form SS-5 at the following Internet address: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ss-5.html

To read more about evidence requirements, access our Web page, “Documents You Need for a Social Security Card,” at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ss5doc

You may obtain the address and directions to the nearest Social Security office from the Social Security Office Locator that is available at the Internet address below:

The change for the birth certificate is more complicated and the laws and policies vary from state to state on when and if they will change the gender marker. Washington State law requires that a letter of GRS be presented. This is the most common method in those states that allow the record change. The usual contact point is the Department of Health or the Records Clerk for the County or town where you were born. Check with your local Department of Health for the policy requirements.

There are plenty of other things that will need to be changed also, like;

Employee Records: This is generally done once the legal name change is done but usually employers won't change the gender on the payroll aspects until after the gender marker at the SSA is changed.

Bank Accounts: They will generally require at least the Court Order of Name Change and the revised SSN before they will change the name on the accounts.

Auto Insurance: The drivers' license is usually all that is needed but it won't hurt to have the court order also.

Vehicle Registration: This can get tricky depending if you own the vehicle outright or if you are carrying a purchase contract. If you own the car it is just a matter of changing the name on the title. But if you are buying the vehicle then the contract holder will need to be notified and then they notify the  DOL of the name change on the account. So that means that you must notify them of your name change, but also ask them to notify the DOL because they will not automatically do it.

Credit Cards: Each credit card company has their own policy as to how they handle name changes. But it is pretty standard for them to require at least two pieces of identification showing the new name. I found that a copy of my new license and my SSN card worked ok. Also you must request that new cards be issued, it is not automatically done. Some companies will ask you to just fax the new information to them and others will require you to mail it to them for their records.

Credit Reporting Companies: I am not sure quite yet as to just what their policy is but I was also told that it will happen automatically if and when you apply for credit. But with the issue of identity theft I wonder just how they will handle it when an application comes in with your new name and the old SSN that was tied to the old name that is on file. 

Update: In my case the name has changed without my need to do anything and everything seems to be ok.

Once again 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.

So good luck and congratulations.

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Copyright Stephanie Snowden

2008 All Rights Reserved.

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Stephanie Snowden