I was born in Iowa but I live in Missouri.

To change the gender on your birth certificate you don't necessarily need sugery:
Statute: Iowa Code Ann. § 144.23(3) (2004).

Text: The state registrar shall establish a new certificate of birth for a person born in this state, when the state registrar receives the following: . . .

3. A notarized affidavit by a licensed physician and surgeon or osteopathic physician and surgeon stating that by reason of surgery or other treatment by the licensee, the sex designation of the person has been changed. The state registrar may make a further investigation or require further information necessary to determine whether a sex change has occurred.


But in Missouri:
Statute: Mo. Ann. Stat. § 193.215(9) (2006).

Text: 9. Upon receipt of a certified copy of an order of a court of competent jurisdiction indicating the sex of an individual born in this state has been changed by surgical procedure and that such individual's name has been changed, the certificate of birth of such individual shall be amended.

So technically I could change my birth certificate without surgery. But for my drivers license in MO I have to have surgery, surgeons letter and I need a court order to change the gender marker. If I changed my gender marker on my birth certificate could I just take that up to the DMV and change the marker on my license?

I plan to get surgery but hey if I could change it sooner why not.

I know it's possible to obtain an out of state drivers license using a valid residential address regardless of where in the United States it is so long as you apply in person and can show at least 'partial' residency (a voter registration card would suffice).  You could get an Iowa drivers license with a M marker by presenting your amended birth certificate and still use your Missouri address.

Hmm...that's a good question.  Do you already have a Missouri DL?  If so, then you'd probably need the surgery letter to change your gender marker to male.  If not, then you could probably just put male after changing your Iowa BC (and maybe even before depending on what documentation they require).

Epi has an interesting solution.  I don't know enough about that though.  For some reason I thought you could only drive with an out of state license for a certain amount of time before getting an in state one?  Maybe it's different in each state?  Not sure.  Worth looking into.

Quote from: Adio on January 29, 2012, 09:16:16 PM
I don't know enough about that though.  For some reason I thought you could only drive with an out of state license for a certain amount of time before getting an in state one?

This primarily applies to vehicles as each state has different emission standards and insurance requirements.  I believe it's also assumed if you moved to a new state you no longer had a valid residential address in your previous state.  If you had a valid address and maintained it as a partial residence you wouldn't have to relinquish your out-of-state license in favor of an in-state.

From my understanding most individuals prefer to obtain an Arizona drivers license (no matter where they live) because they don't expire until you're 65.  It's becoming more common for business professionals working in multiple states, retirees and college students to have in-state DLs and be registered to vote out-of-state; and vice versa.  So long as Uncle Sam gets paid his taxes, it's all fine by him.

I thought you could get a Passport (all you have to do to get Male written on a passport is to provide a letter that you're at least GOING to begin transition) and then amend your driver's license? Federal documents trump all state documents, right? So therefore they would have to amend your driver's license? Right?

Quote from: stiltsk on January 29, 2012, 11:24:55 PM
I thought you could get a Passport (all you have to do to get Male written on a passport is to provide a letter that you're at least GOING to begin transition) and then amend your driver's license? Federal documents trump all state documents, right? So therefore they would have to amend your driver's license? Right?

You can get a passport that says M on it with a letter but you can't use it to get a amended driver's license.  Federal law does trump state law, but only in cases where the state law contradicts federal law (ie. federal law provides the right to vote to women.  A state can't make a law saying women can't vote and get away with it.)  Since the federal government has no law with regards to state issued ID's, there is nothing that can be done about state laws dealing with IDs. 

I already have a MO drivers license, but it's ridiculous that I have to go to court just to get the marker changed, I need a letter from a surgeon, primary care doctor, and therapist. I understand SSN but its just a driver license. Geezus, I hate people that nosey about in my business and put restrictions on how I can live my life. Gir