Birth certificate

[Lucca]

A lot of people want to get their gender on their birth certificate changed, so I was just wondering, what exactly is a birth certificate used for, or where would you be required to present it? I'm not disputing anyone's ability or desire to have it changed, it's just that I can't think of a single time I've had to present my birth certificate for anything.

[KarynMcD]

Applying for:
Drivers license, passport, social security card....

[Lucca]

Maybe I was required to present my birth certificate to get my passport or the first time I got my license... I don't remember now. And I've had a Social Security card since I was born, but I guess if you don't already have one a birth certificate might be the best form of ID to get one.

Thanks!

[Devlyn]

I just got a passport this year, I submitted my male name birth certificate and my court ordered name change along with current female ID, and had no problems. Female passport came in three weeks.

Some people change their birth certificates just because they want an F on it. I subscribe to the "I'll never need to update this, and I already spent $50 for a copy that works just fine, I'm not dumping another $50" school of thought. 

Hugs, Devlyn

[Kendra]

Some local governments and situations require birth certificate before other forms of ID can be updated.  In many cases a birth certificate update isn't necessary.  I didn't update my birth certificate, and updated everything else. 

[KatieP]

Because we like consistency?

I very much like the idea that there are very few places with an M next to my name.

Is that needed/required? Perhaps not, but I have a ton of things in my life that are about preference. For instance my panties. They could be tighty-whitey jockey shorts. No one sees them, and for 99% of my clothing, it wouldn't matter. And, they'd be a lot cheaper than the panties I actually wear. But I would know. For most of my life, it was important that I knew me, even if no one else could even see me. Even if no one ever sees the BC, I would know...

Kate

[ainsley]

The Real ID law passed after 9/11 requires states to scan BC or SSN card and retain it:

Congress passed Real ID in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Missouri's state lawmakers had resisted the federal mandate over privacy concerns. Some took issue with Real ID's requirement that states scan and retain copies of drivers' identification documents, such as birth certificates and Social Security cards.

https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article217941740.html

I would prefer they retain the BC with my real gender listed on it.

[KathyLauren]

Every jurisdiction has different rules.  Where I live, you currently cannot get the gender marker on your driver's license or health care care changed without first changing your birth certificate.  That is a real problem for people who were born in jurisdictions that refuse to change them.  My driver's license currently has an M on it for that reason.

Luckily for me, that rule is changing, and it will soon be possible for my to get alternative documentation that can then be used to change my regular ID.

The point is that you need to research what the rules are where you live and where you were born.  It is different everywhere.

[Dena]

I went for years without updating my birth certificate however I recently updated it. The reason is by 2020 to fly on American aircraft you will need to have an ID that meets the real id requirements. This means you will need to submit your birth certificate to get a drivers license and they will match your driers license to your birth certificate. In the past I was able to have a different gender on my license that my brith certificate however I am not sure that will be true in the future with real id.

[KatieP]

In California anyway, to get the Real ID compliant license, you can show BC or Social Security card. Since the Social Security card doesn't have gender on it, that might be an easy route if the BS doesn't match your other ID...


Kate

[Sydney_NYC]

I went for years without updating my birth certificate however I recently updated it. The reason is by 2020 to fly on American aircraft you will need to have an ID that meets the real id requirements. This means you will need to submit your birth certificate to get a drivers license and they will match your driers license to your birth certificate. In the past I was able to have a different gender on my license that my brith certificate however I am not sure that will be true in the future with real id.

A US passport already meets the Real-ID requirements and that can also be used instead of a birth certificate (and for domestic flying for 2020). This is a good thing since I can't change my TN Birth Certificate because the will not change it at all even though I've had surgery.

[Dena]

A US passport already meets the Real-ID requirements and that can also be used instead of a birth certificate (and for domestic flying for 2020).

That's my problem. I have never had or needed a passport and Arizona up to now didn't provide real id licenses. I was looking at not being able to fly.

[Sydney_NYC]

That's my problem. I have never had or needed a passport and Arizona up to now didn't provide real id licenses. I was looking at not being able to fly.

It's always a good idea to keep a current passport as you just never know. They are good for 10 years and you don't need surgery or change your birth certificate to change the gender marker on them.

[sarah1972]

It does depend a bit on the country of citizenship. In Germany for example, you have to present it whenever you renew your ID (ID's are mandatory), your passport, when you get married and in several other cases. I always found it silly since they can see I am born and they have checked it every time. But - it is what it is. Changing is another big drama.

If you don't have a requirement to change it, save the money as @Devlyn stated.

[Devlyn]

It does depend a bit on the country of citizenship. In Germany for example, you have to present it whenever you renew your ID (ID's are mandatory), your passport, when you get married and in several other cases. I always found it silly since they can see I am born and they have checked it every time. But - it is what it is. Changing is another big drama.

If you don't have a requirement to change it, save the money as @Devlyn stated.

And of course, feel free to send the money to me! 

[sarah1972]

And of course, feel free to send the money to me! 

You now live in the land of Brexit. You are on your own 

[Devlyn]

You now live in the land of Brexit. You are on your own 

[Barb99]

I just received a Real ID drivers license about a month ago. I did not have to submit a birth cert.
Passport, bank statement and utility bill is all I needed.

[tgchar21]

I just received a Real ID drivers license about a month ago. I did not have to submit a birth cert.
Passport, bank statement and utility bill is all I needed.

Birth certificates and passports are both acceptable as "Primary ID" under Real ID.