Gender markers on SSN?

[Guest CattalieChan]

So, me and my mate (both MtF) are finally well along into fully transitioning, and can finally work on getting a name change now that we have lived for a year in our current residency. We were looking at getting a gender change at the same time, as that wouldn't be too much harder, and would help make life easier. We are currently living in Utah, and have found through multiple sources that the way to change gender on Utah identification information is to apply for a change on the passport. None of the requirements for this are a problem, as only a physician letter stating that appropriate treatment has been given is required.

Where the problem starts to come in is when I looked at changing gender on a social security number. To change it, they require that you have a "State-issued amended birth certificate showing the new gender" (Source). Considering I have an Illinois birth certificate and my mate has a Polish birth certificate, I'm not entirely sure what to do. For the Illinois one, the issue is that I'm not sure if I can go back, but more importantly Illinois has stricter requirements (surgery). As for the polish one, I don't even see how I'm supposed to find what document my mate would need to work with here, considering the birth certificate is needed to be state issued.

 

What this all boils down to is three questions:

- Can you live with the gender on your Social Security card not matching the gender on your ID?

- Can you get your current state of residence to issue an amended birth certificate?

- Is there anything you can use besides an amended birth certificate; it seems a bit odd to be able to change one government document, but not another. Like, how are you supposed to deal with only changing your gender on your passport? Though that ties into the first question.

 

I'm considering if I should look at getting legal advice, and how I would go about that. I'm also wondering if it is worth it to just do a name change, and leave it at that until a later date. Fortunately Utah has very good anti-discrimination laws, so it shouldn't be too hard to have that discrepancy visible to an employer. If things can't work out too well, I'm guessing that this is the best line of action, but I would like to get some others opinion's and experience.

[Charlize]

I am amazed that you have heard that.  As far as i know the SS administration requires a letter from your doctor to change gender and a copy of the court order to do your name change.  It is done through the federal gov and not a state.  I would go to the SS website and take a look.  It was very easy for me and i got a new medicare card(over 65) and SS card very easily in one visit.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Drea]

I believe you misread the requirements Natalie.

When it says

Quote

Gender

  We’ll need to see a

• • Full-validity, 10-year U.S. passport showing the new gender;
  • State-issued amended birth certificate showing the new gender;
  • Court order directing legal recognition of change of gender; or
  • Medical certification of appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition in the form of an original letter from a licensed physician.

You don't need ALL four items.  You ONLY need one of them.  By far the easiest is the medical certification.  Such letter doesn't have to be very specific, far as I know it just needs to state "appropriate clinical treatment".  Surgery is no longer a requirement

[Cyndee]

Hi ya Natalie,

The item the federal government essentially cares most about when issuing a passport or updating your record with SSA is your US citizenship. Your US citizenship needs to be proven first and this does not matter what sex you were born, just that you were born here in the US. For example If you don't have a current passport in your old name then you need your birth certificate, court document stating legal name change, and the Dr letter. You don't need to amend your birth record to get a US passport in your new name that has preferred sex designation. Let's see born male in IL, no previous passport, you would need to send in

Money (they care about that)

Birth cert ( US citizenship)

Court document stating legal name change

Doctor's letter to change sex

And you are golden.

I love handing the TSA agents my US passport at the airport, I love seeing sex = F on it, it's so "official".

Hint - I would do the SSA change first, and get your SS card updated before sending in your passport application, that is what I did. SSA is the same thing, you need your original birth cert (US citizenship), court document for legal name change, doctor's letter for sex change. Yes you can become "Federally Female"

Best of luck,

Cyndi

PS - I will also mention a big thanks to the Obama administration for making these rules so much easier than the past. These changes to US policy and procedures occurred in 2013. Who knows what would have happened under those "other guys". Our gender identity rights are a real gift, never to be taken for granted or thrown away. 

[Charlize]

here is a link to the SS Admin. site dealing with gender change:  https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110212200  

Please note that Drea is quite correct.  Only one of the listed documents is necessary.  The easiest is normally the medical note but it does need to contain the information they note.  You should perhaps copy this for your doctors office if they aren't used to doing this for others.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Guest]

I will also state that when you get to that point a federal passport is a problem solver. In my state a motor vehicle report lists all prior names, if the name went from obviously him to her you can be immediately outed to employers and such. I seldom ID with my driver's license unless it is specifically a driving job. No one questions I'm female with the magic F on my passport. Maybe do it as soon as you can, a party change is unlikely to resend existing passports. Hug. JodyAnn

[Guest CattalieChan]

Thanks for the help. I thought it was a list of two required thing, and then a 3rd and 4th one were either of. I have one other issue I'm confused on. It said that I should be able to get the name and gender changed at the same time on the ID, but for changing the name on the passport, it says I need to show a court order for the name change. But in order to get the gender changed for the ID I will need to have a "Certified copy of legal court order changing name (legal gender change is not required for a passport but is for birth certificate modification)"

http://www.teaofutah.org/?page_id=527 Is what I'm referring to.

[Charlize]

The name change process requirements varies with localities.  Mostly it requires a google search of the requirements of your state.  The completion of a form and quite often a court appearance.  Some places also require you post notice in the legal section of a certain newspaper to make sure your creditors can find you.  

When i did that here in NJ it was an easy process.  I had hired an attorney but found that had been a waste of money as the process was quite easy.  many folks do name changes for various reasons so the process isn't very hard.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Guest]

HiThe steps it took me may not exactly to you because it is in Arizona. Each is a separate step in order. Court name change with doctor letter I am transitioning. Driver license to change gender marker again show letter but surgery is not required.  Change Social Security information and gender marker. Apply for passport. In a pinch, you could become an Arizona resident. Giggle.