Legal Transition Guide
Legal Name Change
The process to change your legal name can be daunting, but it's mostly paperwork and showing up to court on time. Below are some links that describe the process in more detail and provide easy fill forms for each.
Starting a case to the name of an adult
Driver's License / State ID
Correcting the gender marker on your State ID or driver's license is quick and easy! It's the same process for both.
If you have your gender marker corrected at the same time as your renew your License or State ID, you will be able to do it free of charge. If not, then a fee will apply.
The fee for a corrected Drivers License is $5. The fee for a corrected State ID is $10.
Drivers License Gender Designation Change Form
Fill out this form completely, by hand, in pen, and bring it with you to your local secretary of state facility or DMV. You will have a choice between M, F, or X for your corrected marker.
You will receive a temporary paper copy of your license or ID. Your corrected license or ID will arrive in the mail within 15 days.
Some activists suggest that given current circumstances, having an X on your identifications may cause you more trouble or harm than having an M or F. Your gender is valid regardless of what shows on your legal identification. We know individual action cannot change systemic issues, therefore it begs the question if individual interactions with law enforcement is the right place to "protest" by having an X marker. At the end of the day it's your journey, identity, and choice.
Changing the gender marker on your license or ID will result in a change to your license or ID number. If your license or ID number are on file anywhere, i.e. work, bank, car insurance, make sure you update those with the new number ASAP!
Birth Certificate
Correcting your birth certificate is more of an involved process, but definitely doable!
Birth certificate corrections for any individual born in Illinois with an existing Illinois birth certificate are handled by the vital records division of the Department of Public Health. To request this correction, you will need an affidavit and certificate of correction request form.
State of Illinois Affidavit and Certificate of Correction Request
This form must be filled out by an individual of legal age (if not you, a parent or guardian) and notarized.
a Notary is a state-authorized official who serves as a witness to signings of some important documents to ensure authenticity and deter fraud.
The Fondulac district library in East Peoria offers free notary public services at the adult services desk most of the time the library is open. The library asks that you call in advance to confirm the availability of a notary public: (309) 699-3917, ext 2251
Bring your form to the notary BLANK and fill it out there. Review the instructions carefully!
Once your form is notarized, mail it to IDPH at the address listed on the instructions along with a copy of your state issues photo ID and a check or money order made out to IDPH in the amount of the applicable fee, $15.
According to the IDPH website, corrections to vital records may take ~12 weeks to process.