Updating your legal name or gender marker on your Maine IDs and birth certificate can feel confusing at first. This page provides clear step-by-step instructions to help you through the process. Whether you are completing a transgender name change in Maine or updating the gender marker on your ID, the Transgender ID Project offers guidance that makes each requirement easier to understand. This resource is designed for transgender people living in Maine who want to navigate these updates with confidence and access the information they need in one place.

How to Change Your Name and Gender Marker in Maine

In most cases you do not need to work with a lawyer to update your name or gender marker on ID documents and can typically update these documents fairly easily on your own. The Maine Quick Reference Guide has the information and materials you need to get started.

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Updating your federal ID documents

You can skip directly to our federal resources here:

If you need assistance updating your legal name and gender on federal and state documents, fill out the form below to find support from the Transgender ID Project.

Additional resources

  • ID Documents Center: The National Center for Transgender Equality’s resources hub for name and gender marker change information.
  • GLAD Law Answers: GLAD Law’s free and confidential legal Infoline can provide you with legal resources, information, assistance, and referrals.
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Understanding Your Rights in Maine

Updating your ID documents is one important step, but it’s part of a broader picture of legal protections available to transgender people in Maine. Here are some resources to help you understand your rights.

Know Your Rights: Maine has strong nondiscrimination protections for transgender people covering employment, housing, health care, and public accommodations. The Maine Know Your Rights page offers a full overview of these legal protections and how they apply to your daily life, providing important context for what your rights are once your documents are updated.

Transgender Rights: Maine’s Human Rights Act protects transgender people from discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, credit, and education, based on gender identity and expression. This protection dates back to a 2005 law that Maine voters upheld at the ballot box, following several earlier attempts that were narrowly rejected or repealed. Several Maine cities and towns, including Portland and South Portland, have their own non-discrimination ordinances as well. Learn more about your rights and how to file a discrimination complaint on our Maine transgender rights page.

Public Accommodations: Having accurate ID documents matters beyond identification, it helps reduce the risk of discrimination when accessing public services, health care, housing, and other accommodations. Maine law prohibits discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation in public accommodations. Learn more about these protections and what to do if you experience discrimination.

Recent Legislation Affecting Transgender Rights in Maine

Maine has taken meaningful steps to make legal name and gender marker changes accessible, though transgender rights in the state, as elsewhere, remain a work in progress.

Since November 2015, Maine residents have been able to select an X gender marker on a driver’s license or state ID, with no medical provider certification required. Maine also streamlined the process for updating a gender marker on a birth certificate: adults 18 and older can now request this change with a simple notarized application, without a physician’s letter or court order. For a minor’s gender marker to be updated on a birth certificate, a parent or guardian applies on the minor’s behalf, along with a declaration from a health care provider affirming that the requested gender aligns with the minor’s gender identity. Maine also allows a nonbinary X designation to be selected on a birth certificate at the time of birth.

More recently, in June 2025 the Maine legislature passed a law restricting transgender girls and women from participating in school athletic programs designated for females at state-funded schools, a step backward for transgender rights in the state. It’s worth remembering that progress isn’t even across the board; the fact that updating a name or gender marker in Maine remains comparatively straightforward doesn’t mean transgender people in the state have full protection or equality. There is still a long way to go, and setbacks like this one are a reminder that the rights transgender people have in Maine today aren’t guaranteed to remain in place without continued advocacy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Changing Your Name and Gender Marker in Maine

How do I obtain a legal name change in Maine?

To obtain a legal name change, you file a petition with the Maine Probate Court in the county where you live.

Adults need to complete and submit the following:

  • CN-1 Petition for Change of Name (Adult)
  • A notarized Affidavit of Name Change for Adult
  • Probate Court Jurisdictional Affidavit (AF-101)
  • A certified copy of your long-form birth certificate
  • A certified copy of any prior name change, such as a marriage certificate or divorce judgment, if applicable

To change the name of a minor, a parent or guardian completes and submits the NC-001 Petition for Change of Name (Minor), along with the AF-101 Jurisdictional Affidavit and a certified copy of the minor’s long-form birth certificate. If one parent or guardian does not consent, the court will decide based on factors including the minor’s preference and age, and what’s in the minor’s best interest.

Adults may request that their reason for the name change simply be listed as “common usage” or “it’s the name I use,” without disclosing further personal details. If your county requires newspaper publication of the name change and you’d like to avoid it, you can petition the court to waive that requirement, including on safety grounds. Applicants who cannot afford the filing fee may submit an AF-105 Indigency Financial Affidavit to request a fee waiver.

How much does it cost to file a name change petition in Maine, and how long does it take?

The filing fee is limited by law to no more than $40, and the fee for a Notice of Publication is included in that amount. Processing time varies by county, but typically ranges from about three weeks to three months from filing to receiving your Certificate of Name Change. We recommend requesting at least two certified copies of the certificate for your future use.

How do I change the name and gender marker on my Maine driver’s license or state ID?

To update your name on an existing Maine driver’s license, bring a copy of your Certificate of Name Change to a Maine BMV location and notify the BMV within 30 days of your name change. A new picture is not required for a name change.

To update your gender marker, you must appear in person and complete a new license or Real ID application along with a Gender Designation Form. A new photo will be taken, and Maine allows you to select M, F, or X as your gender marker. No medical provider certification is required.

Does Maine allow an X gender marker?

Yes. Maine allows an X gender marker on driver’s licenses, state IDs, and birth certificates. No medical documentation is required for an adult to request an X marker on a driver’s license or state ID.

Can minors change their name or gender marker in Maine?

Yes. For a legal name change, a parent or guardian can petition the court on a minor’s behalf using the NC-001 Petition for Change of Name (Minor). If a minor is 14 or older, the court will consider the minor’s own consent and preference as part of its decision. For a birth certificate gender marker change, a parent or guardian applies on the minor’s behalf and must also submit a declaration from a health care provider affirming that the requested gender designation aligns with the minor’s gender identity.

If I was born in Maine, how do I change the gender marker on my birth certificate?

Adults 18 and older, and emancipated minors, can request this change by submitting a notarized VS-7 Application to Correct a Vital Record to Maine’s Division of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics, along with the $60 fee. No physician’s letter or court order is required for this request. If you are also changing your name at the same time, you can include that on the same VS-7 application; if done as a separate request, an additional $60 fee applies. For a minor, a parent or guardian applies on the minor’s behalf and must also submit a Gender Marker Change Health Care Professional Declaration completed by a health care provider.

Still have questions?

If you run into trouble or have questions, fill out the Transgender ID Project support form or contact GLAD Law Answers.

Disclaimer: This page is for general information only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Because every situation is different, the information here cannot replace personalized advice from a qualified lawyer. Laws change frequently, and GLAD Law does not guarantee that the information on this page is current or complete. For legal advice or referrals, please contact GLAD Law Answers.