Name change and gender change in Texas

[culticexecution]

Hello, I am starting to look into name change and gender change for my SS Card, Driver's License, Passport, and Birth Certificate. I live in San Antonio, TX and I have no idea where to begin. I would also like a general idea of how much it will all cost. So if any of you have experience with this, will you be so kind to tell me how you went about it, the process you had to go through, etc.

I am currently looking for a job, and I've read around that is difficult to find a job especially if you don't have a name and gender change yet. I have been on testosterone for about a little over 2 months now, so the changes are not too noticeable, but still no luck with a job. Seeing as I really need a job and obviously changes will be more noticeable in the future, I want to settle the whole name and gender change soon so it won't be a problem when and if I'm still job hunting.

Any info will help.

Thank you.

[Robert Scott]

Almost all of it is easy enough to get changed ... name change just requires petitioning the court -- unless they believe you are trying to commit fraud a court will grant you a name change. 

http://outfrontmn.org/library/legal/trans

this is a link to an organization in Minnesota but it will walk you through the steps on a passport and social security card.

As for birth certificates --- my understanding is that Texas will not change your birth certificate -- it's like one of three states that won't do it.

[LizMarie]

Idaho, Ohio, and Tennessee are the three states that refuse to amend birth certificates.

Texas allows changes with a proper court order. See the wiki link in the message pinned at the top of the forum.

[Jadis]

The documents for birth certificate amendment can be found at http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/vs/reqproc/forms.shtm
HOWEVER, there does not appear to be any document allowing for the gender marker to be updated.

Assuming that the wiki entry for legal has the information detailing this process...https://www.susans.org/wiki/Category:Legal
Where do I find this information on your site more specifically, if I may ask?

Thank you!

[Devlyn]

It looks like Texas will change everything to me.

https://www.susans.org/wiki/Category:Documentation_changes

[HenryRyan]

I'm hoping to start the process this next week and I'm up near Dallas. I have had a problem getting a job since I am 2 months on T and am (luckily) passing pretty much all the time. I want to get my ID changed as fast as I can. The court process for name change seems pretty straight forward. You might check out TENT for a step by step process. (Trans Education Network of Texas) You are going to need your fingerprints taken and sent in to Austin when you file your court papers and then you have to wait a few weeks while they do background checks and stuff. Then either schedule a court date or go to open court and get the petition signed. Take that to the DMV to change your license and take that to change the other stuff. If they don't change your marker when they change your name (sometimes the DMV just does it for you to make it easier) then I know you can try to do it in court seperately from your name but they want "proof" you're fully transitioned from what I hear. Social Security, however, just asks for a letter from your physician/ therapist/ endo saying you are transitioned as much as you want and they'll change it, so you might be able to use your SSC to change your other documents.
And as for costs you can check each site for costs. So go to the DL website and it'll say the price, the passport site will say that price, and so on. Court costs could be $200-250 to file the paperwork and fingerprinting I believe is around $40 to send it in. I'd double check on those beforehand.
Good luck on your name change!

[mrs izzy]

For passport gender change info.
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/143160.pdf

For SS gender change info.
https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110212200

Both of these will do a name change with a court order and maybe can get done with a common law name change if your state has one.

Lots of luck. Seem everyone either has a easy time or a hard time depending on who waits on you.

Hugs
Izzy

[LizMarie]

Texas is a minefield, with interpretations varying from judge to judge since state law is not absolutely clear on this topic. You may find it more expensive initially but worthwhile to hire an attorney who knows how to navigate gender changes in the part of the state where you live. The infamous Littleton case runs directly counter to certain state laws yet the decision is often cited as a basis for denial by right wing fundamentalist judges.

[HenryRyan]

I mentioned before about changing your gender through Social Security and I did just that this past week with no issue. All I did was a get a letter from my doctor with the info they wanted (it is on the SSA website) and it got changed. It was the first time they at that office had heard of the change, as it was only official on September 30th. Besides waiting around for nearly 2 hours it was a breeze!

[sheismymuse]

My girlfriend is trying to have her birth certificate amended & her DL marker changed in Dallas. She is experiencing difficulties & not getting much help or useful info from the DMV. Austin told her they would not change the BC to "female" without a petition signed by a judge & the SRS certificate is not enough. DMV won't change marker without amended BC. She is totally frustrated as am I. Does anyone on the forum or in this thread have any advice or new updates to add. She & I can use any helpful advice. Thanks in advance!

[Sebryn]

My girlfriend is trying to have her birth certificate amended & her DL marker changed in Dallas. She is experiencing difficulties & not getting much help or useful info from the DMV. Austin told her they would not change the BC to "female" without a petition signed by a judge & the SRS certificate is not enough. DMV won't change marker without amended BC. She is totally frustrated as am I. Does anyone on the forum or in this thread have any advice or new updates to add. She & I can use any helpful advice. Thanks in advance!

Was she born in Texas? (Btw the dmv is the DPS in Texas.) And Austin is correct. You must have a petition for name and gender change signed by a judge to change any legal documents. She needs a court order. I recently changed all of my documents in Texas, with a court order only (no changed birth cert yet since I was born in another state.) pretty easily. I did pay for a lawyer and he was worth every single penny for his connections to trans friendly judges. Whoever told you that she needed an amended birth certificate to change her drivers license at the DPS was incorrect, all she'll need is the signed court order from a judge in the county which your girlfriend resides. In fact to my knowledge you can't actually change your birth certificate without including an updated/changed to show current information photocopy of your drivers license, at least that's what my state requires.