Identity Document Laws and Policies: Birth Certificate
Birth certificate laws govern the process by which a state changes a gender marker on a person’s birth certificate. Many transgender people choose to revise the gender marker on their identity documents so that it matches the gender they live every day.
The processes by which an individual can change the gender marker on their driver’s license and/or birth certificate to accurately reflect their gender identity are governed by state laws and administrative polices and often include intrusive and outdated requirements, such as proof of sex reassignment surgery and court orders. According to the National Center for Transgender Equality, burdensome requirements and prohibitive costs prevent the majority of transgender individuals from obtaining accurate identity documents.
For more information, please see the National Center for Transgender Equality’s Identity Documents Center.
