Gender Marker on Driver's License

[BeckyCNJ]

I have what is a highly unusual situation, especially for someone who is transgender.

About 25 years ago I went to city hall in the town where I was born to get a legal copy of my birth certificate. I already had the "take home" version but since I was applying for a passport and I heard they sometimes get lost while being processed, I decided to get another copy. The city hall document was much more detailed than the copy I had. It included details such as my parents' jobs and their birthdates.

What was most surprising though is that clearly typed under gender is "Female." This was not a box that was checked, but the word typed out with the first letter capitalized. I assure you I am not intersex and this was nothing more than a typo (but a very splendid typo, in my opinion).

I thought of possibly using this document to get the gender changed on my driver's license the next time it's renewed. The birth certificate a legal document with a raised seal. I'm presenting as male but would love to have a driver's license that shows me as a woman.

What potential problems do you foresee if I were to do that? Are there any benefits, other than psychological, for me?

[AlyssaJ]

I think it would depend on your state laws.  I believe some states allow you to change your gender marker without GCS.  So in one of those states, having a female gender indicated while you still have the male parts wouldn't be an issue.  However, in some states, mine included, you can only get a gender marker change with a signed statement from the doctor that performed your GCS.  So potentially there you might run into an issue.  However, I'll admit I'm failing to come up with a circumstance where they would ever know you had male genitalia to make an issue out of it.

[Brooke]

Definitely check to see what the requirements are to change your gender marker on license. If all that's required is a birth certificate, rather than say a court order, or physicians letter than you are still meeting the requirements. In my state GCS is not required, but a letter from the treating physician stating that you are "irrevocably committed" to the gender transition process is needed. Oddly for a gender marker change by court order in my state GCS is required. Though once I get my license changed, and social security gender marker changed I was able to change all other state documentation without a court order. Oddly it is the birth certificate from a different state that requires a court order from my jurisdiction.

Also note that you can get your us passport gender marker changed by just a letter from the treating physician stating that you are currently receiving appropriate medical treatment for a limited validity two year passport or a letter stating that you "have had appropriate medical treatment" for the condition of GID. I would imagine you can use your passport which is legal identification on a federal level to renew your license.


~Brooke~

[Zquence]

I would try and change as many things as possible

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[JoanneB]

If you are licensed in another state already and simply transferring to NJ, then "Normally" you need the 3 proofs of ID & residency, you old license, and maybe take an eye test and a few dollars poorer. Keep in mind NJ conforms to the federal guidelines for ID. You will have one form of ID (current license) and a birth certificate and maybe SS number not in sync.

Now if you want to retake the paper and road test then perhaps the BC can get you by. But then... just about every time you interact with the health system the first thing they ask is for proof of ID and your insurance card. Again perhaps an out of sync problem if the office actually looks that closely. The list can go on.

Also, in NJ it is now easy-peesie to change your gender marker on you DL. All it takes is a signature from a therapist attesting to you not wanting to change it for "Fraudulent Reasons"

[Sydney_NYC]

I have what is a highly unusual situation, especially for someone who is transgender.

About 25 years ago I went to city hall in the town where I was born to get a legal copy of my birth certificate. I already had the "take home" version but since I was applying for a passport and I heard they sometimes get lost while being processed, I decided to get another copy. The city hall document was much more detailed than the copy I had. It included details such as my parents' jobs and their birthdates.

What was most surprising though is that clearly typed under gender is "Female." This was not a box that was checked, but the word typed out with the first letter capitalized. I assure you I am not intersex and this was nothing more than a typo (but a very splendid typo, in my opinion).

I thought of possibly using this document to get the gender changed on my driver's license the next time it's renewed. The birth certificate a legal document with a raised seal. I'm presenting as male but would love to have a driver's license that shows me as a woman.

What potential problems do you foresee if I were to do that? Are there any benefits, other than psychological, for me?

Why does this sound familiar ? ... Glad to see you here Becky

You could change it if you wanted to, but NJ is super easy to change without changing the birth certificate. In fact, I was born in TN and it's one of 3 states that will not change the gender EVER even after surgery. It's the only state that specifically makes it illegal to change the gender of a birth certificate as a result of surgery. The other states simple don't have a policy that allows one to change it.