Social Security gender change pre-op?

[PositivelyAnna]

Hi!

I just read the wiki on changing your gender marker with Social Security.  Seems pretty specific that you need to be post-op.

But... it seems like people have had success with other agencies (e.g. DMV) even pre-op.

Anyone successfully made the Social Security change pre-op?


Thanks!
:-)

-anna

[Agent_J]

I know several people who have simply by asking at the same time as they dealt with their name change. Many clerks don't know the rules and will do it.

That wasn't the case for me; I got a clerk who didn't know but knew that she didn't know so had to check.

DMV policies vary by state. I didn't bother trying given that my state makes a point of verifying licenses with the SSA before issue; to even get a license in my name I had to have dealt with that at the SSA at least 24 hours before I could get my license updated, and my state doesn't issue photo licenses at the local offices anymore, instead validating and centrally issuing them (sent by mail a week or so after the license center visit.)

[Adio]

If you get someone who doesn't know the policy, then it's possible.  I was pre-op and brought in all kinds of documentation to get it done.  Court order for name/gender marker change, therapist/psychiatrist's letter, and a letter from my endo as well.  Got it done, no problem.  I'm now post-op so I'm not worried about it getting reverted back, if that would even happen.

I consider myself lucky and glad I got someone open-minded (in my small, conservative town).  Won't work for everyone though, especially in cities with a larger trans population.  You could always try it and see.  The worst they can do is tell you that you have to have surgery first.

[PositivelyAnna]

Well, I attempted to do it today, but I apparently brought the wrong copy of my name change court order.     So, I didn't even get to change the name.  Never even got to the gender part.

Grr... this is such a pain!!!!


=anna