Updating Legal Documents

After Trump was reelected in Nov 2024, I was seeing a lot of fear mongering and hopelessness. I realized many members of the community have yet to update their name and gender on their legal documents. So here are some quick guides on how to begin those processes. Note: some processes are different according to each state’s laws. This information is what I could find online and based on my own experience after having legally changed my name and gender and updating my social security card, passport, and driver’s license. I have yet to update my birth certificate, as this was once impossible to do in the state I was born in. Now it is possible, but I feel less urgency as my other documents have been updated.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Trump will be inaugurated on Monday, January 20, 2025. He has promised to restrict the ability to change one’s gender marker on federal documents on Day 1 of his second term (this means we won’t be able to update our passports, social security cards, or real ID.) Many states take 6 weeks or longer to grant legal name changes. Thus, I recommend prioritizing updating your GENDER MARKERS on your federal documents NOW, especially because you can self-select your gender marker and don’t need supporting documents or letters to do so on your federal documents. You will still have the ability to request a legal name change regardless of Trump’s potential anti-trans executive orders. I’m not trying to fear monger, but the threat is real and time is limited. Much love!