I recently "legally" changed my name.  I need to amend my current passport to reflect the change. I am at a loos to determine the right form to use. There are 2 forms that I have found on the State Dept. website that address the issue.  One is Form # DS-82  "US Passport Renewal Application for Eligible Individuals"  It appears to be designed for those that are renewing their passport.  Although my passport has not expired, it does have a section that addresses the name change, but their is no section that addresses "gender."  Their is a Box where it asks for Sex: M / F but my understanding is that although they will allow a "gender change"  (with the submission of an official letter from your physician which I have)  I'm not sure if I should check the female box (as this refers to sex & not gender). Their is another form # DS-5504 "Application For a U.S. Passport: Name Change / Data Correction" It also has a  Box where it asks for Sex: M / F   However, on a different part of the form it states" "To complete a name change your submitted US Passport book ... must be less than one year old."  That rules me out because my passport is 7 yrs. old.  My take away from this is that the form for name & data change won't work for me due to the "one yr." old disqualifier.
Has anyone successfully completed this process? If so, how did you address the item regarding Sex?  Any feedback would be welcomed.
Thx,
   

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,185772.0.html

Use DS-11. Also don't get hung up on the sex/gender thing, a lot of legal documents and forms use them interchangeably.

I just did this and you do need to use the DS-11 form. Additionally, the letter from your doctor needs to be in a specific format. There are samples available on line. Even though you have time until your passport expires you will need to send it in and you will be issued a new 10 year one. 

Thx Ladies!  I knew the great girls on this site would be able to help.  Had no clue about the DS-11.  Onward thru the Fog!
Hugz,

Joi

I had the format problem.  Make sure it iz correct.  I live about 20 miles from a regional center and was there 4 times as my doctor just refused to put it in the correct form.

She is not my doctor anymore.

Good luck,

Jen

Wowsers. So complicated. Where I'm from, you just tick F on your application, make a statutory declaration and have it signed by a JP. That's it.

When you send in the DS 11 with your old passport, Dr.'s note, etc., do you still have to send in your birth certificate as well?

No, you don't need a birth certificate. If you have an old passport, even an expired one, they accept that as both ID and proof of citizenship. I just did this, and they needed the court order, the doctor's letter, the completed DS-11, a passport photo, and my long-expired passport. On Tuesday morning I went to the passport agency, the agent put the letter and the court order in a Priority mail envelope and clipped the old passport and the form to the outside of it, and I paid him the fees (including the $60 expedite fee). I received the new passport and my documents in the mail that Friday!

Give or take a two-hour wait sitting on an uncomfortable federal chair, it couldn't have been easier, and the $60 fee was well worth it.

To get a 10-year passport, you need to make sure that your doctor uses the version of the letter which states that you've completed transition.

They wanted my birth certificate as well. They wanted my DL, copy of the court order, old passport..everything.  However, I was  rush job because I was heading to Vancouver and my Dr messed up the letter.

Hugs

Jen

Quote from: Isabelle on August 15, 2015, 08:56:30 PM
Wowsers. So complicated. Where I'm from, you just tick F on your application, make a statutory declaration and have it signed by a JP. That's it.

Is it? The process here doesn't seem complicated as long as your dr cooperates.

Thank you both, it sounds like it can vary depending on who you get.  I'll bring my birth certificate just in case but I rather not send it if I don't have to.

The US Department of State has a document  -  7 FAM 1300 APPENDIX M - GENDER CHANGE that has the rules for the gender change on Passports and includes a sample physician letter.  You can find it by cutting and pasting this into Google:

US State Department 143160.pdf

I had this with me when I went to the Passport Acceptance Office but did not have to make use of it because the office I went to knew what to do.  The lady I dealt with was really interested in my transitioning and was very helpful.  I was at the office and out in about 15 minutes.  I had everything already filled out and had my photos with me having had them taken at Costco.

Quote from: iKate on August 18, 2015, 05:28:56 AM
Is it? The process here doesn't seem complicated as long as your dr cooperates.

Mmmm... It's knida none of your dr's "gosh darn" business... Or anyone else's really... It's only a passport.. You can have no gender on your passport if you want. 

Quote from: Isabelle on August 18, 2015, 07:50:28 PM
Mmmm... It's knida none of your dr's "gosh darn" business... Or anyone else's really... It's only a passport.. You can have no gender on your passport if you want.

Doesn't make it complicated. The doctor's office prints it out, signs it and you're good to go. You don't even have to swear in front of a JP. You take your letter and forms to the post office and they mail it out and you get your passport back.

Idk I think it's complicated for some of us more than others, just depends on your situation.

Quote from: Lady_Oracle on August 19, 2015, 03:12:01 AM
Idk I think it's complicated for some of us more than others, just depends on your situation.

Probably. I have a good relationship with my physician. I can understand that it would be difficult if you're self medicating and don't have a doctor.

But if you're being seen by a doctor for your HRT anyway it's not complicated to get a letter.

I only wish they would expand it to therapists. For my NJ driver license my therapist was able to fill out the form. I see her way more often than the doctor.

Went to the post office this morning to do this and they just needed the completed DS-11 form, my doctor's letter, old passport (and passport card), photocopy of the front and back of my driver license and one passport photo.  They did not need my birth certificate.

I stopped by Costco beforehand and got my passport photo taken there, you get 4 photos for about $5, hard to beat.  I'm not in any rush so I didn't pay for expedited processing.  So hopefully I should receive my new passport in about a month or so.

So I need to do my driver's license first. Good to know. I'll have to wait until after the cruise as there will be no time to get them both back. Asked my endo for the letters last Tuesday and I'm waiting with bated breath. (Not "baited breath". Worms in my mouth? Ugh!)

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I went to the Passport Office a few weeks ago with documents for them to pre-review and tell me what I need.  The agent was totally helpfull.

The agent will accept my SSA documents:

     -  SSA letter verifying 'female'

     -  Doctor letter verifying sex change

They will also accept my court order affirming my legal name and sex change.

I made a copy of my drivers licence (front and back).

My roadblock is intransigent New Jersey Vital Records.  They are demanding that I change my Birth Certificate to reflect name and sex change despite Passport Office only requiring old Birth Certificate because my legal papers document my legal name and sex change.

Passport Office told me that if NJ refuses to issue BC, then they are required to issue a detailed statement why not.  NJ also refuses to issue that letter.  Thank you, Gov. Christie?  Nice group of state workers there.  NOT!

My problem is an adoption issue and a 'sealed' file at NJ.

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I was able to update my passport without a Birth Certificate.  But I did have a court order and I did have a current valid passport.