Updating Identification Documentation

There are many ID documents that should be updated with your name and sex marker. The information featured here does not constitute legal advice. Please seek legal counsel for questions you may have.

General information on updating your state and federal ID documentation provided by:

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Government Identification Documents: What You Need to Know

Transgender and gender expansive Pennsylvanians may be wondering what forms of legal identification documentation (ID) they should obtain and how they can be updated to reflect their desired name and sex marker (sometimes called a gender marker).

It should be noted that trans and gender expansive people have been active participants in their communities for generations even without updating their legal ID to match their affirmed name or gender marker. It is not a requirement that you update your legal ID, but if you choose to do so, we are providing this helpful information. Please note: a legal name change in Pennsylvania is a separate process through your county Court of Common Pleas. It is necessary to obtain a legal name change in Pennsylvania to update many of the IDs you may wish to revise. Please visit the resources below to learn more on how to petition for a legal name change in Pennsylvania through your county court.

The information below does not constitute legal advice and is based on policies effective on March 1, 2025. Information will be updated as we become aware of changes.

Pennsylvania State Identification Documents

Birth Certificates and Driver's Licenses + Photo ID Cards

A birth certificate is issued in the state of your birth, and is a needed document for many moments throughout your life. A Pennsylvania Birth Certificate provides proof of a legal name, legal sex marker and/or gender designation, and American citizenship. Birth Certificates are recorded and updated through the Pennsylvania Department of Health. You can update your same, sex marker, or gender designation separately or at the same time with the necessary documentation.

Updating a Legal Name on a Birth Certificate: Please note that there are different application forms with the Department of Health based on a person’s age when applying. For Pennsylvanians 14 years old and older, you must have an official court order signed by a judge to have the name changed on your Birth Certificate. A parent or guardian completes the form for minors under 18 years old. No court order of a name change is required for those under seven years old, and either supportive documentation or a name change court order is needed for young people seven years old through 13 years old. Please visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health website here on how to apply for an updated name Birth Certificate.

Updating a Legal Sex Marker or Gender Designation on a Birth Certificate: Pennsylvania only currently recognizes “M” or “F” as sex markers or gender designations on Birth Certificates. For those under 18 years old, a parent or guardian must submit the correct form to the Department of Health. No documentation is needed for minors to update their Birth Certificate sex marker or gender designation. 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. Please visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health website here on how to apply for an updated sex marker or gender designation on a Birth Certificate.

For updating both a name change and sex marker or gender designation on a Pennsylvania Birth Certificate, the following forms are used:

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) issues Driver’s Licenses to operate motor vehicles to those who are 16 years old and up. PennDOT also issues Photo ID Cards to any Pennsylvanian who is 10 years old and up. Both a Driver’s License and a Photo ID Card establish Pennsylvania residency and are needed IDs in many daily activities. Updating the name and gender markers on your Driver’s License or Photo ID Card are two separate processes. They may be accomplished at the same time or separately.

Updating a Legal Name on a Driver’s License or Photo ID Card: Pennsylvania allows anyone who has received a court order (or following a marriage to change a surname to a spouse’s last name) to change their name on both a Driver’s License and Photo ID Card, typically using the Form DL-80. To update your name, you will need to bring a certified copy of your name change order or a certified updated Birth Certificate to the PennDOT Driver’s License Center where you will apply for your new driver’s license or Photo ID Card. Please visit the PennDOT website here on how to apply for a Driver’s License or Photo ID Card with your updated name.

Updating a Legal Sex Marker on a Driver’s License or Photo ID Card: Pennsylvania allows anyone to update the sex marker on their Driver’s License or Photo ID Card at any time. There is no requirement for a court order or other documentation to update your sex marker. To do so you will complete PennDOT Form DL-32 and submit it at your local PennDOT Driver’s License Center. You will have the option to choose an “M”, “F”, or “X” sex marker designation. Please visit the PennDOT website here on how to apply for an Driver’s License or Photo ID Card with your updated sex marker.

NOTE ON REAL ID: Beginning May 7, 2025, every Pennsylvanians 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant Driver’s License or Photo ID Card, or a US Passport, to fly within the United States and visit certain federal facilities. To obtain a REAL ID, you will need to update the name on your Social Security Account PRIOR to applying. Please see below about updating your name on your Social Security account. You may update both your name and sex marker on a REAL ID. Details for updating or obtaining a REAL ID can be found on the PennDOT website here.

Federal Identification Documents

Social Security Accounts and US Passports

The Social Security Administration (SSA) creates a Social Security account for each American citizen. A Social Security Number (SSN) is assigned to each American (recorded on a Social Security Card), which is a required number for accessing many government benefits, services, and private financial accounts. It is important that you update your Social Security record to reflect any legal name change. Multiple federal databases – including those for Medicare and Medicaid – pull data from the SSA database. You can update your Social Security account to reflect a legal name change. Unfortunately, at the current time, you cannot make changes to your sex marker. Please note that SSA requires that you provide an official copy of your name change court order. Therefore, you should obtain extra copies of your court order prior to applying.

Updating a Legal Name on a Social Security Account: Complete Form SS-5. Go to your 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.

Updating a Sex Marker on a Social Security Account: Effective January 31, 2025, transgender and gender expansive individuals are no longer able to update their sex marker on their Social Security Account. Do NOT attempt to update your sex marker. If you do so, your application will be put on hold and your documents may not be returned to you.

A US Passport is federal documentation that establishes proof of American citizenship. US Passports are issued by the US Department of State. A US Passport can either be a US Passport Book or a US Passport Card. A US Passport Book can be used for all domestic and international travel. A US Passport Card can only be used for travel on domestic flights, and land or sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and certain Caribbean nations. US Passports include an individual’s legal name and a sex marker.

Updating a Legal Name on a US Passport: 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. All forms must be completed in black ink.

Updating a Sex Marker on a US Passport: Effective January 20, 2025, Americans are no longer able to update their sex marker on their US Passport. You will be able to travel even if your gender marker does not match your gender identity or presentation.

Other Identification Documents

Voter Registration, Selective Service, Employment Records, Health Insurance and Health Records, Financial Records, Legal Records

Voter Registration: In order to vote in an election, you must be registered. County governments process voter registration applications in Pennsylvania. Voter registration is required for new voters and reregistration when you move your place of residence. You can register to vote or update your voter record online, by mail, at your county’s election office, PennDOT Driver’s License Centers, or at many government facilities. For more information on voter registration, please visit the Pennsylvania Department of State website here.

For information on updating your voter record, including your name and gender marker, please visit the Pennsylvania Department of State website here. You can update both your name and gender marker by completing the same Pennsylvania voter registration application online or in person. Upon submission of the voter registration update, you will need to bring acceptable identification with you to the voting location upon the next election. No medical or other documentation is needed to update a gender marker on your voter registration record. Gender marker options on a Pennsylvania voter registration record are Female (F), Male (M), and Nonbinary/Other (X).

Selective Service: The Selective Service System is a federal agency that inventories all individuals designated as potential drafts for the US Military. Under federal law, this status is defined as US citizens and immigrants who have been designated male at birth. Under penalty of federal law, anyone who was designated male at birth who is between the ages of 18 and 26 must register with the Selective Service using their form. This includes people who have had their gender marker changed on their birth record. If an individual was recorded as Male on a birth certificate at birth, they must complete the Selective Service form. We know this can be a dehumanizing form to complete for many transgender women and gender expansive individuals. Many advocates would like this law to change to either require all individuals ages 18 to 26 to register, only those recorded presently as Male on a birth certificate, or have no requirement for anyone to complete the form. Please visit the Selective Service System’s website here for more information.

Employment Records: If you have obtained a legal name change you should update your records with your employer to reflect the new name. Depending on your employer, you may be able to update your sex marker as well if they keep it on file. Employers in Pennsylvania must recognize your legal name.

Health Insurance and Health Records: If you have obtained a legal name change you must update your health records and insurance to reflect the new name. Most insurance providers and health care systems now have separate designators for gender identity and sex assigned at birth.

Financial Records: If you have obtained a legal name change you should quickly move to update your financial records to reflect the new name. However, as long as you have your official court order for legal name change you will still be able to access funds if you have yet to update your name in that financial institution’s system.

Legal Records: It is recommended that all transgender and gender expansive people have a will, Advanced Medical Directive, and Durable Power of Attorney to protect them and their wishes should they die or become incapacitated. If you have obtained a legal name change you should update these documents with your new name. However, as long as you have your official court order for legal name change, the original documents are still legal and binding. Please consult an attorney for legal advice on these documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I travel if I have legally changed my name but my US Passport still has my old name listed?

A: Yes. You may need to present a copy of your court order stating that you have obtained a legal name change. Please note, if you have a currently valid US Passport we do not recommend seeking an update to your passport for either a name change or sex marker change.

Q: If I have never had a US Passport before, can I obtain a passport with my chosen name and gender marker on it?

A: Potentially, yes. If you have updated your birth certificate and it does not say “amended” or “corrected” on it and the photo ID you provide with your application reflects the correct name and gender marker, you may be able to obtain a US Passport. However, we are urging caution as the US Department of State has not yet issued specific guidance.

Q: If I had a US Passport but it expired, can I obtain a passport with my affirmed name and sex marker on it?

A: You can get a passport with your affirmed name, however you will not be able to update your gender marker.

Q: If I have a current US Passport that has an “X” sex marker on it, can I travel internationally and return to the United States?

A: Yes. However, when the passport expires, under the current policy you will have to get a new passport with the sex marker that reflects your sex designated at birth.

Q: Can I update my legal name on some documents or forms of ID but not on others?

A: This is not recommended. Having mismatched legal identification documents can result in bureaucratic issues and delays when seeking government benefits, healthcare, or other items.

Pennsylvania Legal Name Change Assistance Resources