New passport vs. updated passport...

[sarahb]

So I'm looking into SRS now and one of the surgeons at the top of my list is Dr. Brassard. Since he resides in Canada, and I in the US, I'd need a passport to travel there. I have never gotten a passport yet as I've had no need as of now. So my question is...will I still be "updating" my name on my passport, or will they just grab my name from my license, SSA, etc. when I request it for the first time?

I went to the website and it says if you are requesting a new passport that you have to provide proof of citizenship (birth certificate) and a form of ID (driver's license). My assumption is that when I request the new passport, I would just be sending a copy of my updated birth certificate and license, which they will use to get my name and other info, is that correct?

Another question...since my gender marker on my birth certificate is still M (it's F on my license), would I just need to send a note along with the forms asking them to use F for the gender instead of M? I've heard that you can get them to change it "temporarily" when you say you are going to be getting SRS and have a letter from the surgeon.

Thanks for any information

~Sarah

[Valerie Elizabeth]

http://www.nctequality.org/Issues/federal_documents.html#passport_gender

Gender Change

    You must submit:

       1. Evidence of citizenship and proof of identity (for example, a driver's license or birth certificate).
       2. A photo that is a good likeness of current appearance.
       3. A fee of $85 to have a new passport issued.
       4. Medical documentation stating that you have had or are planning on having surgery.

    For Post Op transpeople, this documentation consists of a letter from a surgeon or hospital that performed surgery, a detailed statement from a medical surgeon regarding the surgery and name change evidence, if applicable (for example, a certified copy of a court document).

    For Pre Op transpeople, this documentation consists of a detailed statement from a surgeon with whom you have plans to undergo surgery. This statement must outline the plans for your surgery. If you are traveling to undergo it, the passport agency will issue a temporary passport valid for one year.

    All of this information should be mailed to the following address:
    Charleston Passport Center
    Attention: Amendments
    1269 Holland Street
    Charleston, SC 29405

    There is a tendency for the State Department to "endorse" or simply "stamp over" the previous gender marker on a passport. The stamp states that a change of sex has taken place on a particular date. NCTE has been told that this happens if the passport is valid for a few more years. The Agency does not like to reissue passports so they simply use the stamp. The National Passport Information Center suggests that to get around this, you should start over completely by requesting a new passport. Send in all the above documentation with a letter stating why you need a new passport and not a stamp-over.

Basically you need a letter from your surgeon stating what you are getting done, and they issue a 1 year temporary passport with the correct gender marker.  I just sent my paperwork in yesterday for a new passport (I did have an old one).