Updating Identification for Chosen Name and Gender Marker in Pennsylvania
When and How Transgender People Can Update Their Legal ID
The process of updating the gender markers on legal ID – including Driver’s License/State ID, Birth Certificate, Social Security, and Passport is separate from the legal name change process. Below you will find information on how to update your name and/or gender marker on these documents.
Social Security
It is important to update your name on your Social Security Account. The Social Security database is tied to multiiple Government Programs including Medicare, Medicaid, and the IRS. Updating your name on Social Security will also update your name in those databases.
Legal name Change: Complete form SS-5. Go to the local Social Security Office with your existing Social Security Card, a certified copy of your name change court order and your current birth certificate (can be in your old name) or immigration documents. You will be processed for a new card with your new name and will receive it in the mail in about a week. We strongly recommend that you do this in-person as Social Security often loses paperwork in the mail.
Gender Marker: Effective January 20, 2025 transgender people are no longer able to update their gender marker on their Social Security Account. They can and should update their name once that has been completed via the court process.
Pennsylvania Driver’s License
Updating the name and gender marker on you PA Driver’s License or State ID are two separate processes. They may be accomplished at the same time or separately as well.
Gender Marker: Pennsylvania allows anyone to update the gender marker on their Driver’s License or State ID at any time. There is no requirement for a court order or other documentation to update your gender marker. To do so you will complete DL-32 and submit it at your local driver’s license center along with the appropriate fee. You will have the option to choose an “M”, “F”, or “X” gender marker designation.
Legal Name Change: Pennsylvania allows anyone who has received a court order Take that form, a certified copy of your name change order, your existing driver’s license, and a certified copy of your birth certificate (even if it is in your prior name) to the PennDOT office where you will apply for your new driver’s license (typically form DL-80). Assuming no problems, you will be issued a new license, with a new photo and it will reflect your new name and gender.
US Passport
There is perhaps no more important form of legal identification than having a passport. A US passport proves your identity and your citizenship. It can be used as proof for employment eligibility, eligibility for potential government benefits, and – most critically – it allows you to travel by air throughout the United States and the world. While it costs more than a Real ID (see below) it is the only document that allows you to travel abroad.
Legal Name Change: To update your legal name on your US Passport, you will need to provide a certified copy of a court order from a judge stating that you have been granted a name change. Use Form DS-11 and follow the steps listed on the State Department’s Apply in Person page. Please note that all forms must be completed in black ink. In general, you should expect to pay between $60 to $195 for your passport, though this also depends on who you are, your situation, and whether or not you are renewing or getting a passport for the first time.
Effective January 20, 2025 transgender people are no longer able to update their gender marker on their US Passport. They can and should update their name once that has been completed via the court process.
Pennsylvania Birth Certificate
Name and Gender Marker Changes: Generally, it is recommended to request a name and gender marker change on PA Birth Certificates at the same time. Instructions to update a Pennsylvania Birth Certificate are listed below. If you were born in another state you should verify instructions for your state at this site.
- Requirement for Legal Name Change: You must have an official court order signed by a Judge to get the name changed on your PA Birth Certificate
- Requirement for Gender Marker Change: If you are 18 years or older you must present a signed letter from a physician stating that you have had appropriate medical care for gender transition. This letter must be on the physician’s letterhead and include the medical license information. EPTEP can provide a template for this letter if needed.
To modify information, complete the appropriate form, based on the age of the individual whose record needs to be amended.
- Request to Modify a Child’s Birth Record (Age 1 Year to Less Than 7 Years Old)
- Request to Modify a Child’s Birth Record (Age 7 Years to Less Than 14 Years Old)
- Request to Modify a Child’s Birth Record (Age 14 Years to Less Than 18 Years Old)
- Request to Modify an Adult’s Birth Record (Age 18 Years Old and Above)
To expedite the process of receiving your new birth certificate, go to your local State Representative’s district office and have them submit the paperwork on your behalf.
Otherwise, mail the completed form, your identification, payment, and documentary evidence (see each form for specific details) to:
PA Department of Health
Bureau of Health Statistics and Registries
ATTN: Birth Registry
555 Walnut Street, 6th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1934
REAL ID
Beginning May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or a US Passport to fly within the United States.
We generally recommend that every person get a US Passport, but if you currently hold a REAL ID or chose to use a REAL ID instead, you will need to update the name and gender marker on your Social Security Account PRIOR to updating your Pennsylvania REAL ID. Details for updating or obtaining a REAL ID can be found on the PennDot Website.
Disclaimer: The Eastern PA Trans Equity Project is not a provider of legal services and neither it or any of its representatives are licensed attorneys. The information contained in this website concerning name change procedures has been taken from public sources and is meant to give general information to the public for educational purposes only. All such information is provided as-is with no warranty, express or implied, regarding its accuracy. The information was obtained 1 Jan 2020, but laws, regulations and court procedures change and Eastern PA Trans Equity Project is under no obligation to monitor these changes or to update this information. It is your responsibility to seek out and comply with all applicable laws, regulation and court procedures then in effect in order to properly change your name. Please also note that the information provided is not specific to your individual situation. If you have any questions or concerns, including any questions or concerns regarding your individual circumstances, you should speak with an attorney licensed to practice law and actually practicing law in the court jurisdiction in which you live. Use of this website does not, in and of itself or in conjunction with any other circumstance, create an attorney-client relationship between you and Eastern PA Trans Equity Project or any of its representatives. By using this website, you acknowledge and consent to the above and knowingly and intentionally waive and release any claims, causes of action, losses or damages you may have against Eastern PA Trans Equity Project arising out of the information made available to you through this website.