Community Conversation => Transitioning => Legal Matters => Topic started by: wheat thins are delicious on August 29, 2011, 09:47:58 PM Return to Full Version
Title: license gender change in Alabama.
Post by: wheat thins are delicious on August 29, 2011, 09:47:58 PM
Post by: wheat thins are delicious on August 29, 2011, 09:47:58 PM
I've come across a few sites that say basically this regarding gender marker change on Alabama driver's licenses:
"Sex designations on driver's licenses can only be changed for MtFs if a letter from a surgeon states the sex reassignment surgery was completed and "successful." Apparently, though, for FtMs, living full time as a male (proved by a therapist writing a notarized letter by the courts) is sufficient.
Does anyone know how true this is? Has anyone here changed their gender on their license in Alabama with a notarized letter from a therapist?
"Sex designations on driver's licenses can only be changed for MtFs if a letter from a surgeon states the sex reassignment surgery was completed and "successful." Apparently, though, for FtMs, living full time as a male (proved by a therapist writing a notarized letter by the courts) is sufficient.
Does anyone know how true this is? Has anyone here changed their gender on their license in Alabama with a notarized letter from a therapist?
Title: Re: license gender change in Alabama.
Post by: Arch on August 30, 2011, 01:09:00 AM
Post by: Arch on August 30, 2011, 01:09:00 AM
Sounds pretty kooky to me, but there's usually some kind of double standard (MTFs vs FTMs and surgery requirements).
Title: Re: license gender change in Alabama.
Post by: Robert Scott on August 30, 2011, 12:57:53 PM
Post by: Robert Scott on August 30, 2011, 12:57:53 PM
Alabama will issue an "amended" birth certificate noting change of name and sex, but will not issue a new birth certificate replacing the original.
The fee to prepare an amended birth certificate is $15.00, which includes one certified copy. Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $4.00 each.
You will need an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change, as well as an original or certified copy of a COURT ORDER for change of sex (not just the surgeon's letter). This enters another step into the procedure and is best handled through an attorney, although at extra cost. You must file a "petition to amend a vital record," state what you want to amend, provide documentation of the reason for your petition, and name the Center for Health Statistics as defendant.
This is the actual portion from the Alabama Vital Statistics Law which deals with gender reassignment:
ยง 22-9A-19(d): "Upon receipt of a certified copy of an order of a court of competent jurisdiction indicating that the sex of an individual born in this state has been changed by surgical procedure and that the name of the individual has been changed, the certificate of birth of the individual shall be amended as prescribed by rules to reflect the changes."
On the positive side, if you live in another state they will accept the court order from that state, if issued from "a court of competent jurisdiction" (court with authority to issue such orders in that particular county or state). The fee for the court order is a separate fee, and varies from one court to another.
Contact information:
State Board of Health
Center for Health Statistics
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5625
(334) 206-5418; (334) 206-5426
Ms. Dorothy S. Harshbarger
State Registrar and Director
dharshbarger@adph.state.al.us
The fee to prepare an amended birth certificate is $15.00, which includes one certified copy. Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $4.00 each.
You will need an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change, as well as an original or certified copy of a COURT ORDER for change of sex (not just the surgeon's letter). This enters another step into the procedure and is best handled through an attorney, although at extra cost. You must file a "petition to amend a vital record," state what you want to amend, provide documentation of the reason for your petition, and name the Center for Health Statistics as defendant.
This is the actual portion from the Alabama Vital Statistics Law which deals with gender reassignment:
ยง 22-9A-19(d): "Upon receipt of a certified copy of an order of a court of competent jurisdiction indicating that the sex of an individual born in this state has been changed by surgical procedure and that the name of the individual has been changed, the certificate of birth of the individual shall be amended as prescribed by rules to reflect the changes."
On the positive side, if you live in another state they will accept the court order from that state, if issued from "a court of competent jurisdiction" (court with authority to issue such orders in that particular county or state). The fee for the court order is a separate fee, and varies from one court to another.
Contact information:
State Board of Health
Center for Health Statistics
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5625
(334) 206-5418; (334) 206-5426
Ms. Dorothy S. Harshbarger
State Registrar and Director
dharshbarger@adph.state.al.us
Title: Re: license gender change in Alabama.
Post by: wheat thins are delicious on August 30, 2011, 02:58:28 PM
Post by: wheat thins are delicious on August 30, 2011, 02:58:28 PM
yes that is birth certificate. I'm talking about license here.
Title: Re: license gender change in Alabama.
Post by: Arch on August 30, 2011, 03:05:30 PM
Post by: Arch on August 30, 2011, 03:05:30 PM
Andy, California has a special form for change of sex/gender marker, and the form is pretty explicit about what kind of supporting documentation is required. Does Alabama have a similar form, or is it less, uh, formal than that?
Title: Re: license gender change in Alabama.
Post by: Adio on August 30, 2011, 08:22:33 PM
Post by: Adio on August 30, 2011, 08:22:33 PM
Andy, I'm pretty sure that it actually works like that. Especially if the guy is on T. The double-standard is sad, but it's my understanding that what you've read is true. I'd bring not only a therapist's letter but one from a physician as well. I can send you a pm about this if you'd like.
Title: Re: license gender change in Alabama.
Post by: wheat thins are delicious on August 30, 2011, 10:07:10 PM
Post by: wheat thins are delicious on August 30, 2011, 10:07:10 PM
My main plan is to just call a bunch of DMV's in Alabama to see what different people say. I would like to PM about it actually. It would be nice not to need surgery cause that is a long way away for me and I need my gender marker changed for work reasons.