Hara_Juku Tgirl
06-10-2007, 08:56 PM
At the time of this writing all but four states had available at least some provision for updating birth certificate records. There are definate variations from state to state, with some much better than others, particularly in the area of amending original documents (with or without noting what was amended) as opposed to issuing new ones. Other differences are in the requirements for making such changes, some require court orders for both name and gender changes, in other cases a mere letter from your SRS surgeon may suffice for the gender correction, and in a couple of places only information from a therapist on hormone treatment is enough.
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Below we have compiled a short fact statement about each state's individual policies. Please note that many places will require fees for making these changes or obtaining copies of the new documents, we have omitted such details for the purposes of this page simply because fees change more often than overall policies do.
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- State by State -
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Alabama - State will issue an "amended" birth certificate noting change of name and sex, but will not issue a new dociment to replace the original. You will need an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change, as well as an original or certified copy of a court order for change of sex (not just the surgeon's letter). To get a court order for change of sex you must file a "petition to amend a vital record," state what you want to amend, provide documentation of the reason for your petition, and name the Center for Health Statistics as defendant.
***
Alaska - State will issue an amended birth certificate noting change of name and sex. You will need an original or certified copy of the court order for the name change, and an original or certified copy of the letter from your SRS surgeon.
***
Arizona - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. The original certificate is "closed" to further inspection. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
Arkansas - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate if the court order so specifies. The request for the court order must include medical documentation (letter from SRS surgeon).
***
California - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. California Health and Safety Code, Section 103425-103445, states: "A petition for the issuance of a new birth certificate in those cases shall be filed with the superior court of the county where the petitioner resides." You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change. If you do not have a court order for your name change yet, you may petition the court for change of name at the same time you petition for the new birth certificate.
***
Colorado - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
Connecticut - State will change both name and sex. The birth certificate is marked "amended," but the item(s) amended are not specified. A court order is not necessary, but documentation from your SRS surgeon is required.
***
Delaware - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
District of Columbia - The District of Columbia will not issue a new birth certificate, but will amend the original birth certificate upon receipt of certified copies of the court order for name change and the letter from the surgeon who performed SRS.
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Florida - State will not change name or sex, but an active effort is being made to change this at the time of this writing.
***
Georgia - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. Contact the Legal Section of the Vital Records office and ask for instructions for correcting a vital record.
***
Hawaii - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original or certified copy of the letter from your SRS surgeon. A court order is not required.
****
Idaho - State does not change name or sex on the birth certificate. A bill to permit the changes was rejected by the Idaho legislature.
***
Illinois - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. The new birth certificate contains the words "copy of the original." First you must write to the Illinois Dept of Public Health, Dept. of vital statistics, and ask for a "request for change of name and sex form." Complete this form and return it, along with the original letter from your SRS surgeon and a certified copy of the name change order.
***
Indiana - State will issue a new birth certificate with your new name. Indiana does not note the sex on the birth certificate, so this is not an issue. You will need a copy of your old birth certificate and a copy of the court order for your name change.
***
Iowa - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
Kansas - State will issue an amended birth certificate. The following information is required: Affidavit from applicant documenting dressing and living as new gender; documentation of hormone treatment and surgery ("physiological or hormonal change").
***
Kentucky - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
Louisiana - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the order for your name change, which must be approved by the district attorney. If you are married, your spouse must give written consent for the changes. NOTE: Louisiana will not change the sex designation on a driver's license unless you can produce a birth certificate with the desired sex designation. So, if you were born in FL, ID, OH, or TN, and live in LA at the time of your SRS, you cannot get your driver's license changed.
***
Maine - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
Maryland - State requires a court order indicating that both your name and sex are to be changed. Name change orders can often be amended to indicate the correct sex along with your new name. The state cannot change the sex on a birth certificate with just a Physicians letter.
***
Massachusetts - State will issue an amended birth certificate. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
Michigan - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. Michigan law also provides for "sealing" of the old record. For further information, see Michigan Compiled Law 333.2831. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
Minnesota - State will issue an amended birth certificate. A court order is not required, but you will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon.
***
Mississippi - State will not issue a new birth certificate. If a court order is received, Mississippi will issue an amended birth certificate with the new name and gender typed in the margin, but the old name and gender remaining unchanged.
***
Missouri - State will issue an amended birth certificate. You will need an original or certified copy of the court order for the name change "if the name is 'typically' used for the opposite sex."
***
Montana - State will issue an amended birth certificate, but the item(s) amended are not designated. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
Nebraska - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
Nevada - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
New Hampshire - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
New Jersey - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original notarized letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
New Mexico - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. The old information will be "sealed" and cannot be opened without a court order. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
New York - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate. However the state requires more documentation than most states. You must first complete an application and include the following documents (all "original or certified copy"): 1) the court order for name change, bearing the court seal, certified by the clerk of the court. Certified proof of publication is also required. The court order must include original name, date and place of birth. 2) the letter from your SRS surgeon, specifying date, place, and type of procedure. 3) the actual Operative Report from your SRS. 3) a letter from your primary therapist "documenting true transsexualism or inappropriate sexual identification." 4) a letter from your endocrinologist or other medical physician "concerning hormonal, chromosomal or endocrinological information." Once these documents are received, a "medical review" will be performed, and your new certificate issued. Processing takes approximately three months.
***
NOTE: New York City has its own separate Bureau of Vital Statistics. The city will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. The new birth certificate will list the new name but will not have a listing for sex at all. That section is simply omitted. You will need an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change, and original letters from your SRS surgeon and your psychiatrist or psychologist.
***
North Carolina - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
North Dakota - State will issue an amended birth certificate. You will need an original or certified copy of the court order for the name change, and an original letter from your SRS surgeon.
***
Ohio - State will not change sex on the birth certificate, but will change the name.
***
Oklahoma - State will issue an amended birth certificate. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon. A court order is not required.
***
Oregon - State will change both name and sex, and will issue an amended birth certificate, without any designation of what has been amended. You will need an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change, and an original letter from your SRS surgeon (or an original court order for the change of sex designation).
***
Pennsylvania - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate with no mention of being amended. The original birth certificate is amended and "sealed" so that it is unavailable to the public. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
Rhode Island - State will issue an amended birth certificate, with a note designating the change of name. The change of sex is not marked as a change on the amended certificate. A court order is not required. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon.\
***
South Carolina - State will not issue a new birth certificate. They will include a card to be attached to the old birth certificate, indicating change of name and sex. They require an original court order for the name change and a letter from the SRS surgeon.
***
Tennessee - State will not change the sex designation on the birth certificate. However they will issue an amended birth certificate with the old name visibly struck over and the new name typed above it. You will need an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
Texas - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change, and an original letter from your SRS surgeon.
***
Utah - State will issue an amended certificate, changing both name and sex, and the certificate will not reveal which items were changed. You will need original or certified copy of a court order for your name change and a court order for your change of sex designation. These court orders can be from any U.S. State or from Canada.
***
Vermont - State will issue an amended certificate, changing both name and sex. You will need original or certified copy of a court order for your name change and a court order for your change of sex designation. The court will probably require documentation from your SRS surgeon.
***
Virginia - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
Washington - State will issue an amended certificate, changing both name and sex. You will need original or certified copy of a court order for your name change, and a court order for your change of sex designation or a letter from your SRS surgeon.
***
West Virginia - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change, and an original letter from your SRS surgeon.
***
Wisconsin - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate. NOTE: You must check the box on the application form to "IMPOUND" the original. This causes the original certificate to be closed to further inspection. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change. Take these to your local clerk of courts and explain what you need done. It takes 2-4 weeks for processing.
***
Wyoming - State will issue an amended certificate. The certificate will specify the birth name and the birth gender, unless you can obtain a court order mandating a new certificate be created.
***
For persons who are U.S. Citizens but were born outside the United States - The U.S. Department of State will change name and gender information on your U.S. Department of State issued birth certificates. You must obtain a legal name change (original or certified copy) from the court of the county for which you reside, include the original birth certificate, plus an original letter of SRS from the surgeon. The State Department will then re-issue a new birth certificate (not amended) and the process takes approximately 6-8 weeks.
SOURCE: http://www.tg2tg.org/forums/lifestyles/transition/usa-birth.htm
__________________________________________________ ____
~Kisses.
HTG
***
Below we have compiled a short fact statement about each state's individual policies. Please note that many places will require fees for making these changes or obtaining copies of the new documents, we have omitted such details for the purposes of this page simply because fees change more often than overall policies do.
***
- State by State -
***
Alabama - State will issue an "amended" birth certificate noting change of name and sex, but will not issue a new dociment to replace the original. You will need an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change, as well as an original or certified copy of a court order for change of sex (not just the surgeon's letter). To get a court order for change of sex you must file a "petition to amend a vital record," state what you want to amend, provide documentation of the reason for your petition, and name the Center for Health Statistics as defendant.
***
Alaska - State will issue an amended birth certificate noting change of name and sex. You will need an original or certified copy of the court order for the name change, and an original or certified copy of the letter from your SRS surgeon.
***
Arizona - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. The original certificate is "closed" to further inspection. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
Arkansas - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate if the court order so specifies. The request for the court order must include medical documentation (letter from SRS surgeon).
***
California - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. California Health and Safety Code, Section 103425-103445, states: "A petition for the issuance of a new birth certificate in those cases shall be filed with the superior court of the county where the petitioner resides." You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change. If you do not have a court order for your name change yet, you may petition the court for change of name at the same time you petition for the new birth certificate.
***
Colorado - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
Connecticut - State will change both name and sex. The birth certificate is marked "amended," but the item(s) amended are not specified. A court order is not necessary, but documentation from your SRS surgeon is required.
***
Delaware - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
District of Columbia - The District of Columbia will not issue a new birth certificate, but will amend the original birth certificate upon receipt of certified copies of the court order for name change and the letter from the surgeon who performed SRS.
***
Florida - State will not change name or sex, but an active effort is being made to change this at the time of this writing.
***
Georgia - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. Contact the Legal Section of the Vital Records office and ask for instructions for correcting a vital record.
***
Hawaii - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original or certified copy of the letter from your SRS surgeon. A court order is not required.
****
Idaho - State does not change name or sex on the birth certificate. A bill to permit the changes was rejected by the Idaho legislature.
***
Illinois - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. The new birth certificate contains the words "copy of the original." First you must write to the Illinois Dept of Public Health, Dept. of vital statistics, and ask for a "request for change of name and sex form." Complete this form and return it, along with the original letter from your SRS surgeon and a certified copy of the name change order.
***
Indiana - State will issue a new birth certificate with your new name. Indiana does not note the sex on the birth certificate, so this is not an issue. You will need a copy of your old birth certificate and a copy of the court order for your name change.
***
Iowa - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
Kansas - State will issue an amended birth certificate. The following information is required: Affidavit from applicant documenting dressing and living as new gender; documentation of hormone treatment and surgery ("physiological or hormonal change").
***
Kentucky - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
Louisiana - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the order for your name change, which must be approved by the district attorney. If you are married, your spouse must give written consent for the changes. NOTE: Louisiana will not change the sex designation on a driver's license unless you can produce a birth certificate with the desired sex designation. So, if you were born in FL, ID, OH, or TN, and live in LA at the time of your SRS, you cannot get your driver's license changed.
***
Maine - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
Maryland - State requires a court order indicating that both your name and sex are to be changed. Name change orders can often be amended to indicate the correct sex along with your new name. The state cannot change the sex on a birth certificate with just a Physicians letter.
***
Massachusetts - State will issue an amended birth certificate. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
Michigan - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. Michigan law also provides for "sealing" of the old record. For further information, see Michigan Compiled Law 333.2831. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
Minnesota - State will issue an amended birth certificate. A court order is not required, but you will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon.
***
Mississippi - State will not issue a new birth certificate. If a court order is received, Mississippi will issue an amended birth certificate with the new name and gender typed in the margin, but the old name and gender remaining unchanged.
***
Missouri - State will issue an amended birth certificate. You will need an original or certified copy of the court order for the name change "if the name is 'typically' used for the opposite sex."
***
Montana - State will issue an amended birth certificate, but the item(s) amended are not designated. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
Nebraska - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
Nevada - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
New Hampshire - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
New Jersey - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original notarized letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
New Mexico - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. The old information will be "sealed" and cannot be opened without a court order. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
New York - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate. However the state requires more documentation than most states. You must first complete an application and include the following documents (all "original or certified copy"): 1) the court order for name change, bearing the court seal, certified by the clerk of the court. Certified proof of publication is also required. The court order must include original name, date and place of birth. 2) the letter from your SRS surgeon, specifying date, place, and type of procedure. 3) the actual Operative Report from your SRS. 3) a letter from your primary therapist "documenting true transsexualism or inappropriate sexual identification." 4) a letter from your endocrinologist or other medical physician "concerning hormonal, chromosomal or endocrinological information." Once these documents are received, a "medical review" will be performed, and your new certificate issued. Processing takes approximately three months.
***
NOTE: New York City has its own separate Bureau of Vital Statistics. The city will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. The new birth certificate will list the new name but will not have a listing for sex at all. That section is simply omitted. You will need an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change, and original letters from your SRS surgeon and your psychiatrist or psychologist.
***
North Carolina - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
North Dakota - State will issue an amended birth certificate. You will need an original or certified copy of the court order for the name change, and an original letter from your SRS surgeon.
***
Ohio - State will not change sex on the birth certificate, but will change the name.
***
Oklahoma - State will issue an amended birth certificate. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon. A court order is not required.
***
Oregon - State will change both name and sex, and will issue an amended birth certificate, without any designation of what has been amended. You will need an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change, and an original letter from your SRS surgeon (or an original court order for the change of sex designation).
***
Pennsylvania - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate with no mention of being amended. The original birth certificate is amended and "sealed" so that it is unavailable to the public. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
Rhode Island - State will issue an amended birth certificate, with a note designating the change of name. The change of sex is not marked as a change on the amended certificate. A court order is not required. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon.\
***
South Carolina - State will not issue a new birth certificate. They will include a card to be attached to the old birth certificate, indicating change of name and sex. They require an original court order for the name change and a letter from the SRS surgeon.
***
Tennessee - State will not change the sex designation on the birth certificate. However they will issue an amended birth certificate with the old name visibly struck over and the new name typed above it. You will need an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
Texas - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change, and an original letter from your SRS surgeon.
***
Utah - State will issue an amended certificate, changing both name and sex, and the certificate will not reveal which items were changed. You will need original or certified copy of a court order for your name change and a court order for your change of sex designation. These court orders can be from any U.S. State or from Canada.
***
Vermont - State will issue an amended certificate, changing both name and sex. You will need original or certified copy of a court order for your name change and a court order for your change of sex designation. The court will probably require documentation from your SRS surgeon.
***
Virginia - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change.
***
Washington - State will issue an amended certificate, changing both name and sex. You will need original or certified copy of a court order for your name change, and a court order for your change of sex designation or a letter from your SRS surgeon.
***
West Virginia - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate rather than amend the old one. You will need an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change, and an original letter from your SRS surgeon.
***
Wisconsin - State will change both name and sex, and will issue a new birth certificate. NOTE: You must check the box on the application form to "IMPOUND" the original. This causes the original certificate to be closed to further inspection. You will need an original letter from your SRS surgeon, and an original or certified copy of the court order for your name change. Take these to your local clerk of courts and explain what you need done. It takes 2-4 weeks for processing.
***
Wyoming - State will issue an amended certificate. The certificate will specify the birth name and the birth gender, unless you can obtain a court order mandating a new certificate be created.
***
For persons who are U.S. Citizens but were born outside the United States - The U.S. Department of State will change name and gender information on your U.S. Department of State issued birth certificates. You must obtain a legal name change (original or certified copy) from the court of the county for which you reside, include the original birth certificate, plus an original letter of SRS from the surgeon. The State Department will then re-issue a new birth certificate (not amended) and the process takes approximately 6-8 weeks.
SOURCE: http://www.tg2tg.org/forums/lifestyles/transition/usa-birth.htm
__________________________________________________ ____
~Kisses.
HTG