Oregon Identity Document changes

Oregon Identity Document changes

The Transgender Law Center recommends this order:
1. Court order – Required for legal changes and for
2. Social Security Administration – Required for legal federal changes.
3. Driver’s License/Oregon ID card – You can do this whenever if only changing gender and NOT name.
4. Passport – Only if needed for travel.
5. Birth Certificate – (If desired. An updated birth certificate is not needed for anything other than you knowing what it says.) You can do this whenever if born in Oregon.

  1. Court Order

In Oregon, no physician letter is required 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.

You can find Oregon’s court forms online here.

It costs $124, or you can apply for a fee waiver. You will want to order at least 3 certified copies as well, 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.

  1. 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. They may ask for proof of citizenship and/or another form of photo ID. There is no cost to do this.

  1. Driver’s License

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

In Oregon, gender marker change on state ID/license 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 2023, you will need to go to your local DMV in-person and bring your current ID, your $26 payment for a replacement card, your court order, and complete the application form. You may be able to start the form online to speed up the process, but it’s not required to be completed beforehand.

  1. Passport (USA)

To change the name listed on a passport only, go to the US Passport site to learn about the correct forms to complete and mail in.

Under President Biden, you no longer need a doctor’s letter or any other paperwork to change the gender marker listed on a US passport. The gender marker category options are non-binary (X), female, (F), or male (M).

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. Find a Passport Office near you. 

  1. Birth Certificate

You do not need to amend your birth certificate, but some people prefer all their forms of identification to match.

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 change 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 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 2023, it costs $35 to amend a birth certificate and $25-30 for a copy of the new birth certificate. 

This information was correct as of 6/2023 and was created with appreciation for the Transgender Law Center for structure and phrasing.