Oregon Identity Document changes

Oregon Identity Document changes

The Transgender Law Center recommends this order for adults:
1. Court order – Required for legal name changes.
2. Birth Certificate – Until recently, an updated birth certificate is not needed for anything other than you knowing what it says, but now it is recommended for safety and federal ID changed. You can do this whenever if born in Oregon.
3. Social Security Administration – Required for legal federal name changes.
4. Driver’s License/Oregon ID card – You can do this whenever if only changing gender marker. You’ll need the court order for a name change.
5. Passport – Only if needed for travel.

Minors can have their names changed by a parent, legal guardian, or legal representative. There are different forms for the court order, but the same forms for the other documents.

For financial assistance, look for the court order fee waiver and grants for the other fees.

1. Court Order

In Oregon, you do not need a physician letter to change either your name or gender marker.  File the required court forms with the Superior Court of the county in which you live. The sex designation options are non-binary (X), female, (F), or male (M). You do not need to attend a court hearing. Once approved, the court order will be mailed to the address you listed on your forms.

Here are Lane County’s court forms, or click on another county.
Apply online using the OJD Guide & File system. I recommend that you make an account so you can save your progress. You can also bring the forms to your county circuit court.
*** Some counties require an additional supplemental form, including Lane County. If you do not upload the Supplemental Form when filing online or bring it with you when filing at the county circuit court, your filing will be rejected. ***

The court order costs $124, or you can apply for a fee waiver. Order at least 2 certified copies, because you will need them to change your name and/or gender marker on other forms of identification and at banks, universities, etc. Once you get your court order, also scan a high-quality digital copy (or ask Dr. Kurzet for help with this), because this will suffice for many of the places you’ll need to update your name/gender marker.

If you need info for another state, check out the National Center for Transgender Equality information, or contact your county court house. Different states have different requirements to obtain a court order name and/or gender marker change. Dr. Kurzet can write letters for patients as needed.

2. Birth Certificate
   
   The current federal administration has made it difficult to change your federal documents without having all your supporting documents already changed. Even then, it’s not a guarantee.
   
   The process for changing one’s name and sex designation on a birth certificate varies from state to state.  Look at the laws of the state in which your birth certificate was issued.  To learn about the requirements in your birth state, visit Lambda Legal or The National Center for Transgender Equality. Dr. Kurzet can write letters for patients as needed.
   
   In Oregon, you can make a first-time change to your name and/or sex designation without a court order. If you need to make a second change to your birth certificate, you will have to obtain a court order first. Please see the instructions at the OR Office of Vital Records. You will need to submit form OHA 2673 and your payment in person or via mail. The gender category options are male (M), female (F), or non-binary (X).
   
   To complete the form, you will need to take your photo ID (also bring your court order if available) to a notary to have them verify your identification. Don’t sign the form until you are with the notary so they can witness your signature. Most banks and credit unions have notaries, as do many schools. As of 2024, it costs $35 to amend a birth certificate plus $25-30 for a copy of the new birth certificate. 
   
3. Social Security

First obtain a court order name and/or gender change.

Submit a completed SS-5 form, an official copy of your court order, and other identification via drop box, mail, or at your local Social Security Office. There is no cost to do this.

They ask for proof of citizenship and/or another form of photo ID. Under the current federal administration, change your gender marker on your birth certificate and any other supporting ID first to have any chance of getting your gender marker changed at the Social Security Administration. You do not need to change your name on your ID card or birth certificate first to use them as official ID for the Social Security Office if you’re only changing your name.

Under the current federal administration, your gender marker may not be changed at the Social Security Administration, even if you have all your documentation correct first.

4. Driver’s License / State ID Card

The process for changing your name and/or gender on a driver’s license or state identification varies from state to state. 

In Oregon, a gender marker change on state license/ID does not require a doctor’s letter or any other paperwork; you can just do it. The gender marker category options are non-binary (X), female, (F), or male (M). 

A name change requires the court order you obtained in step 1. As of 2024, you will need to go to your local DMV and bring your current ID, your $30 payment for a replacement license (or $40 for an ID card), and your court order, and complete the application form. For a Real ID, you will also need a birth certificate or passport and two proofs of address (paystub, bank/school/insurance record, mail sent from a business, etc), but you do not need to change your name on these first to use them.. 

5. Passport (USA)

For a name change, go to the US Passport site to learn about the correct forms to complete and documents required.

Under the current federal administration, it is difficult to change the gender marker listed on a US passport. The gender marker category options are now only female (F) or male (M). If you are getting your first passport, you might be able to get an M/F gender marker other than that assigned at birth if all of your documentation has your new M/F already.

You will need to go in person for a new passport, but you may be able to send in your documents by mail if this is a replacement passport. A new passport book costs $130 as of 2024. Find a Passport Office near you.

This information was correct as of 11/2024 and was created with appreciation for the Transgender Law Center for structure and phrasing. Of note, I have used the sex/gender terminology chosen by each of the above offices in their respective descriptions, despite the difference between these terms.