Hey guys,

I just moved from TN to IL and I need to get my IL license soon. I read that all I need is a physician letter stating that I have began all processes of a sex change. I called and asked and after being switched to 5 different people, finally got answered that it "should" be all that I need, but they'd have to look at it. I go to TN this weekend to get the letter from my doctor, and wanted to make sure that the wording was correct before I left the office. I have been on Testosterone for nearly 3 years now, but have not gotten enough money for surgery yet. I hope all I need is a physician letter.

Has anyone had experience with this in IL?

I am annoyed that it took so long to get an answer, and that the answer was a little vague. I worry that no one here will know what I am talking about and won't know how to help me when I get there.

UPDATE:

I go to the government webpage and it refers me to cyberdriveillinois.com

where it states:

Gender Change
This office does not require a court order to prove a change of gender. However, such a court order shall be considered as best evidence to process the gender change. A customer who requests a change in file information to reflect a gender change must provide at least one of the following:
Medical Report Form;
Psychiatric Report Form;
Physician's statement or;
Other acceptable documentation to indicate that a change has taken place or the customer is in the process of undergoing the gender change.
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Here is the format that the US State department wishes used for a passport change in gender marker.

If you get it done as they require it will or should be enough for your drivers license and then you can get your passcard or passbook with your marker.

From the National Center for Transgender Equality ▪ Passports 2011 ▪ page 2
WHAT THE PHYSICIAN CERTIFICATION MUST INCLUDE
The State Department has provided the following model letter for physician certifications. All certifications must be on the physician's office letterhead and include all of the information seen here, including
both the physician's license or certificate number and DEA registration number.

You should ask your physician to use this letter and not give additional personal health information that is not included here.

I, (physician's full name), (physician's medical license or certificate number), (issuing U.S. State/Foreign
Country of medical license/certificate), (DEA Registration number or comparable foreign designation),
am the physician of (name of patient), with whom I have a doctor/patient relationship and whom I have
treated (or with whom I have a doctor/patient relationship and whose medical history I have reviewed and
evaluated).
(Name of patient) has had appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition to the new gender (specify
new gender male or female).
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States that the forgoing is true and correct.
Signature
Typed Name
Date

It may be all you need is a therapist letter. I think that was all my state needed, though I already had the court order name change in hand as well. Passport was more complicated, as Izzy outlines, but I had no problems post FFS.

I plan on bringing the government website's policy on gender marker change printed out with me, my name change has already been changed on my TN license, but I will bring that if needed. My doctor is writing a letter stating that I have began the process of sex change; I don't know how he is exactly going to word it. I will look it over when I get it, and if it doesn't seem good enough, I'll see if he can't write me another one while I'm there. I have my court order for name change and I do not look or sound female - in fact, it was hard to get across to them over the phone when I called. I was transferred to several people because they didn't seem to quite understand that I had FEMALE on my license rather than MALE. I spoke with the manager when I called and she said they would have to look at it, but that should be all I needed. She seemed nice, and even called me "honey" but I still want to make sure I cover all bases before I take off work just to go get this all done.

A physician letter is easier for me to obtain than a therapist letter. My therapist has retired since I began this journey, and it makes it difficult to obtain letters. In fact, I have to limit my surgeons because of the fact that I no longer have a therapist, and would prefer not to find another one/spend money going to a therapist that doesn't know me or my situation.

Some therapists should just give you any surgery letters, especially since you have been on T 3 years.