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ID Documents | Passport

Transgender ID Project: Updating Your Passport

Updated February 6, 2025

Please note that this page outlines the steps for updating your passport, but the impacts of the January 20, 2025, “gender ideology” executive order are evolving. Visit our Identity Documents Updates page for the most up to date information.

The process for updating your US passport varies depending on several factors. 

If you already have a valid US passport that was issued more than a year ago, in most cases you can apply by mail with a DS-82 form. 

If you fit the criteria below you can use the DS-82 form: 

  • You can submit your most recent US passport book and/or card with your application.  
  • You were at least 16 years old when your most recent US passport book and/or card was issued.  
  • You were issued your most recent U.S passport book and/or card less than 15 years ago.  
  • The US passport book and/or card that you are renewing has not been mutilated, damaged, or reported lost or stolen.  
  • Your US passport was not limited to less than the normal ten-year validity period due to passport damage/mutilation, multiple passport thefts/losses, or non-compliance with 22 C.F.R. 51.41. (Refer to the last page of your US passport book for endorsement information.) 
  • Your name has not changed since your most recent US passport book and/or card was issued. — OR — Your name has changed by marriage or court order, and you can submit proper certified documentation to reflect your name change (such as a certified copy of a marriage certificate, or court order). Visit travel.state.gov/name change for a complete description of accepted documents. 

If you answered no to any of the questions above, you cannot use the DS-82 form. You may be able to use the DS-11 or DS-5504 depending on the circumstances. Learn more.  

If you fit into any of the criteria below, you must apply in-person with a DS-11 form. 

  • You do not have a valid US passport OR 
  • Your current US passport was issued before you were 16 years old OR 
  • Your current US passport is more than 15 years old 

Skip to the DS-11 section of this page.  

If you are changing your name with the DS-82 form, you will need: 

  • A completed DS-82 US Passport Renewal Application for Eligible Individuals form. Download the DS-82 form. 
  • Your current, unexpired passport 
  • A certified copy of your name change order 
  • Recent color photo of yourself. Review the photo requirements. 
  • Applicable fee: Personal check or money order made out to the “US Department of State.” You can use the passport fee calculator here to get the most accurate information on how much it will cost. 

Submitting your DS-82 form and documents: 

  • The DS-82 and supporting documents can be mailed to the address listed on the form.  
  • You must mail your application and accompanying documents through the United States Postal Service—not UPS, FedEx, or other companies. Once your application has been submitted, you can track your application status online. 
  • Supporting documents will be mailed back to you after they are processed. 
  • Processing usually takes 3-4 months. If you need it sooner, consider using expedited service (additional fee applies). 

If you are changing your name with the DS-11 form, you will need: 

  • A completed DS-11 US Passport Application form. Download the DS-11 form. 
  • Proof of US citizenship, such as a birth certificate. You will need an original or certified copy and a photocopy. The photocopy will not be returned to you. 
  • A valid photo ID and photocopy of the ID, such as a driver’s license or government employee ID. If you have already legally changed your name, your ID should reflect that change. 
  • A recent color photograph (no more than 6 months old). Review the photo requirements. 
  • Applicable fee: Get the most up-to-date information here.   

Submitting your DS-11 form and documents: 

  • The DS-11 and supporting documents must be submitted in person at a local passport center. Find your local center. 

Limited Validity Passports 

You may have received a limited-validity passport if you were transitioning when you applied for your most recent passport.  Limited-validity passports are issued for less than the full validity period. The full validity period is 10 years for adults, and five years for children under age 16. There is no longer a requirement for medical documentation or a physician’s letter as evidence of a gender transition.  

To replace a limited-validity passport with a full-validity passport, submit Form DS-5504. To use this form, you must apply within two years of your previous passport’s issuance date. You do not have to pay fees unless you request expedited service. 

If you were issued your limited-validity passport more than two years ago, apply in person and use Form DS-11. 

You can find more resources on updating your passport from the Advocates for Trans Equality and the State Department. 

Still have questions?

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

ID Documents | Social Security

Transgender ID Project: Updating Your Social Security Records

Updated February 6, 2025

The practical impacts of the January 20, 2025, “gender ideology” executive order are evolving. GLAD Law will provide the most up-to-date information we have on our Identity Documents Updates page.

Changing Your Name on Your Social Security Record

The SS-5 Application for a Social Security Card form is used to change your name on your social security record. Note that your card only lists your name; gender markers are kept in a computer file.

To change your name on your social security record, you need:

  • Name Change Order 

Submitting this form:

Fill out the SS-5 Application for a Social Security Card

Still have questions?

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

News

Families Challenge Abrupt End to Medical Care for Transgender Adolescents and Young Adults at Two Connecticut Hospitals

GLAD Law and Attorney Kevin Barry represent ten families challenging the sudden termination of care at Yale New Haven Health and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center

Ten Connecticut individuals and families are challenging the sudden termination of medical care for transgender adolescents and young adults at Yale New Haven Health (YNHH) and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center (CCMC). Both hospital systems abruptly stopped providing medically necessary care for transgender patients under 19 in late July, leaving patients and their parents stunned, and families scrambling to find alternative options for ongoing care for their children to avoid serious health risks.

The Trump administration has expressed hostility to transgender health care since taking office, but no federal policy compelled Yale New Haven Health or Connecticut Children’s Medical Center to stop providing care to their transgender patients, and neither was subject to any government action to penalize them for providing it. Connecticut law prohibits discrimination against transgender people, including in health care.

The families are represented by GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD Law) and attorney Kevin Barry, who filed the complaints with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities on December 16.

“The families we represent are living through a nightmare, being told with no warning their trusted doctors can no longer provide the care that has stopped their children’s suffering and allowed them to thrive,” said Hannah Hussey, GLAD Law Staff Attorney. “These families have been forced to scramble for a new place to get the care their kids need, which means navigating issues such as delayed care, risks to their physical and mental health, new health care costs and time-intensive travel, and having to start all over to establish relationships with new providers – if they can find them.”

One of the impacted families now must travel nine hours to access care, and at least two of the families have not identified new doctors at all. One of the families moved to Connecticut from a state with laws hostile to transgender people, in large part for the purpose of securing stable access to health care for their transgender child, then abruptly learned from the media and other parents that their child’s medical care was ending.

For some patients, the harm of losing their trusted doctors was compounded by the notification they received about the sudden termination. One adolescent child received a Fed Ex letter addressed directly to them from YNHH while they were home alone and read the news that their medical care was now stopped with no parent there to support them.

“These hospitals have stopped providing care to our clients because they are transgender, while they continue to provide the same treatments to patients who are not transgender. That is expressly prohibited by Connecticut law,” said Attorney Kevin Barry of Quinnipiac University School of Law. “The federal administration is cruelly working to harm transgender people and undermine access to care, but states play a key role in ensuring access to safe and effective health care for their entire population.”

Connecticut law has longstanding protections against discrimination in public accommodations for transgender people and earlier this year the Governor signed legislation affirming the state’s prohibition on discrimination in the provision of health care services. Connecticut is also among multiple states challenging Trump administration efforts to block access to medically necessary care for transgender adolescents.

“These families have lost their faith in the health care system to serve their children,” Hussey added. “They are questioning how they can lose access to care overnight in a state with strong laws like Connecticut.”

The families are represented by attorneys Hannah Hussey, Ben Klein, and Donovan Bendana at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD Law) and by attorney Kevin Barry, Quinnipiac University School of Law.

FAQ: Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage (VAP)

Updated as of June 2026

FAQ: Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage (VAP)

A Simple Way for Your Family to Be Recognized and Respected Through Legal Parentagerey and tainiri smiling with their newborn child

All children need the support and stability that comes from a legally secure parent-child relationship, however their family is formed. To meet this need, there is a simple and inexpensive route to establish legal connection to your child through a “Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage (VAP) form. These forms have been available for years but were not accessible to LGBTQ+ couples. In response to advocacy for updating policy in a growing number of states, more families can now use these forms regardless of gender or genetic connection.

While the rules for VAPs are established by individual state law, federal law provides that VAPs are the equivalent of a court order of parentage and carry the expectation that they will be respected across state lines and in all jurisdictions. VAPs are an important tool for protecting children by securing their legal parentage as soon after birth as possible. 

What are VAPs and how are they regulated?

Federal law requires states to provide a simple civil process for acknowledging parentage immediately before or after the birth of a child.[1] That simple civil process is the Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage, or VAP, program. In the United States, a majority of children born to unmarried parents each year have their parentage established through a VAP.[2]

Federal regulations require states to provide a VAP program at hospitals and state birth record agencies.[3] At their discretion, states may also involve other health, welfare, or social services organizations.[4] The forms have to be made available at any entity participating in the state’s program;[5] some states also offer the forms through mail by request or online.[6]

VAP forms themselves are generally short affidavits in which the signatory—in most states this has historically meant an unmarried individual who believes that he is the genetic father of the child—affirms that he wishes to be established as a legal parent with the rights and responsibilities of parentage.[7] The person who gave birth to the child must also sign the form, and both parents have to provide some demographic information about themselves.[8]

Federal regulations mandate, at signing, the presence of either a notary or witness,[9] although some states specifically require that the form be notarized.[10] Properly executed, a VAP has the binding force of a court order and is valid in all jurisdictions.[11] Federal law requires that a signatory be able to rescind the form for any reason within 60 days after its signing or prior to an administrative or judicial proceeding relating to the child in which the signatory is a party, whichever is earlier.[12] If the form is not rescinded within that 60-day time frame, a VAP can be challenged only on the basis of duress, material mistake of fact, or fraud.[13] VAPs can be filled out at any time before the child turns 18.[14] By signing a VAP, a person is established as a legal parent, and the child’s birth certificate is amended to reflect that legal parentage. In short, VAPs are an easy, inexpensive, and efficient way to establish legal parenthood by agreement and outside of court.

Where are VAPs accessible to LGBTQ+ parents?

Since a VAP is a critical access-to-justice tool that enables the swift establishment of legal parentage, there is new recognition of the need to ensure equal access to this path to parentage. The 2017 edition of the Uniform Parentage Act—an influential piece of model legislation for states—recommended the inclusion of intended parents and gender-neutral language in voluntary acknowledgment provisions to ensure equality for LGBTQ+ parents.[15] An increasing number of states have begun to expand access to VAPs to ensure that non-genetic parents and LGBTQ+ parents are able to utilize this important tool to establish legal parentage as soon after birth as possible.

In New England, Massachusetts,[16] Vermont,[17] and Rhode Island,[18] Connecticut,[19] and Maine allow LGBTQ+ parents to establish parentage through a VAP.

Outside of New England, Nevada,[20] California,[21] Washington,[22] and Maryland,[23] New York,[24] Colorado [29], Michigan, [30] Hawaii, Oregon, and Illinois have recently expanded access to VAPs through statute. The following is a complete list of states, in order of expanded access, that currently allow LGBTQ+ parents to establish parentage through a VAP, with links to their forms:

  1. Nevada (2017). Must be requested in person or by mail.
  2. Massachusetts (2025)
  3. Vermont (2018)
  4. California (2019)
  5. Washington (2020)
  6. Maryland (2020). Must be requested.
  7. Rhode Island (2021)
  8. New York (2021)
  9. Maine (2021)
  10. Connecticut (2022)
  11. Colorado (2022)
  12. Michigan (2025)
  13. Hawaii (Effective January 1, 2026)
  14. Oregon (Effective in late 2025)
  15. Illinois (Effective January 1, 2026)
  16. Delaware (Effective December 6, 2026)

Importantly, VAPs for LGBTQ+ parents differ slightly from state to state so it is important to understand and follow the rules for your state. Some states only allow unmarried parents to sign VAPs[25], and some require the forms to be notarized rather than just witnessed, as discussed above[26]. Some states allow parents through assisted reproduction to sign VAPs, and others allow parents to sign VAPs who built their family through surrogacy[27].

VAPs are an important tool for protecting children by securing their legal parentage as soon after birth as possible.[28] GLAD Law will continue to work to ensure equal access to this path to parentage throughout New England.

[1] 42 U.S.C. § 666 (a)(5)(C)(i).

[2] In 2018, 1,503,361 children were born to unmarried people in the United States. Unmarried Childbearing, Nat’l Center for Health Stat. (May 29, 9:57 am). Also in that year, 1,045,983 children had their parentage established through a voluntary acknowledgment, compared to 367,217 through other procedures. Office of Child Support Enforcement, U.S. Dept of Health and Human Servs., FY 2018 Preliminary Report (June 13, 2019).

[3] 45 C.F.R. § 303.5 (g)(1).

[4] Id.

[5] 45 C.F.R. § 303.5 (g)(2).

[6] Paternity Establishment, Maryland Department of Health and Human Services (May 28, 2020, 12:59 pm); Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage, Vermont Department of Health (May 29, 11:17 am). But see Birth/Death Vital Records, Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (May 29, 11:03 am).

[7] NH. Rev. Stat. Ann. §168-A:2 (West). A sample form is available here.

[8] Id.

[9] 45 C.F.R. § 303.5 (g)(4).

[10] Massachusetts Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage form (May 28, 2020, 12:58 P.M.). The MA VAP is only for unmarried parents.

[11] 42 U.S.C. §666 (a)(5)(D)(ii), (a)(11).

[12] 42 U.S.C. §666 (a)(5)(D)(ii).

[13] 42 U.S.C. §666 (a)(5)(D)(iii). The federal statute specifies only that the burden of proof will be upon the challenger and that any legal responsibilities stemming from the acknowledgment cannot be suspended during the proceedings without good cause shown; all other procedural specifications are left to the states. See id. Some states, such as Vermont and Rhode Island, add additional bases for challenging a VAP.

[14] 42 U.S.C. §666 (a)(5)(A).

[15] Unif. Parentage Act§ 301-314 (amended 2017).

[16] Partanen v. Gallagher, 475 Mass. 632, 639, 59 N.E.3d 1133, 1139 (Mass. 2016).

[17] Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 15C, § 301 (West).

[18] R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-8.1-301.

[19] CT Public Act No. 21-15 AN ACT CONCERNING ADOPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONNECTICUT PARENTAGE ACT.

[20] NV ST 440.285

[21] Ann. Cal. Fam. Code §7573 (West)

[22] WA St. 26.26A.200

[23] MD FAMILY § 5-1028

[24] NY PUB HEALTH § 4135-b

[25] Massachusetts Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage form, supra note 11; Paternity Establishment, supra note 7.

[26] Massachusetts always requires notarization; Maryland requires notarization if the form is not completed in the hospital at the child’s birth, and California requires notarization if the form is executed out-of-state. See id; California Voluntary Declaration of Parentage form (May 28, 2020, 1:01 pm).

[27] For example, California requires that any donated gametes used not come from either the birth parent or the signing parent. Nevada and Maryland require that the signing parent be an intended parent (which can require additional paperwork), and New York will require both. See California Voluntary Declaration of Parentage form, supra note 26; Paternity Establishment, supra note 7; Birth/Death Records, Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (May 28, 2020, 1:07 pm); NY PUB HEALTH §4135-b. The states differ on whether parents through surrogacy can sign VAPs. Compare, e.g., California Voluntary Declaration of Parentage form, supra note 26 (stating that the form cannot be used with a surrogacy agreement), with Massachusetts Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage form, supra note 11 (allowing the form to be used without the signature of the birth mother if one parent has received a pre-birth court order establishing that they are the legal parent of the child delivered by gestational surrogate).

[28] VAPs, as noted above, are the equivalent of a court decree and therefore receive full faith and credit in all jurisdictions. Until expanded VAPs are more widely established, GLAD Law recommends taking a “belt and suspenders” approach and also completing a co-parent adoption, confirmatory adoption, or stepparent adoption. See V. L. v. E. L. 136 S. Ct. 1017, 1020-1021 (2016) (per curiam) (holding that states must give full faith and credit to final adoption judgments).

[29] Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 19-5-203.5, 19-4-102.5, 19-4-105, 19-4-106, 19-5-316, 25-2-112, 25-2-112.7. For birth certificate changes, visit Colorado.gov’s “Correct or change a birth certificate” page.

[30] Michigan Health & Human Services “Establish Parentage” FAQ

LGBTQ Paths to Parentage Security

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LGBTQ Paths to Parentage Security

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What is Parentage?

Parentage is the term for the legal relationship between a child and their parent or parents, through which all rights and responsibilities flow. Being recognized as a legal parent is important for making medical or school decisions for your child, for access to health insurance, social security survivor benefits, and inheritance, and for custody and parenting time determinations if the parents separate.

A secure parent-child relationship is essential for a child’s health, well-being, and development.

Is it important to get a court judgment reflecting that I am a parent?

Yes! LGBTQ parents, like all parents, start their families in many ways. Regardless of your path to parentage, security for children is a key concern. Since the 2015 Obergefell decision, which ensured marriage equality throughout the country, LGBTQ parents have greater access to the protections of legal parentage through the marital presumption of parentage (see below) and wider access to adoption. However, all LGBTQ parents, married and unmarried, should understand the parentage rules in your state and ensure your child is protected under those rules.

Many LGBTQ parents are parents to children born through assisted reproduction, with one parent being a non-genetic parent. For these families, because of bias and discrimination, it is important to have the security of a court judgment to protect the child-parent relationship.

A court judgment will be recognized in all states under full faith and credit principles of the U.S. Constitution.

LGBTQ parents can face a lot of hoops to build their families and protect them, and that can feel unfair. Still, a judgment will ensure that the child-parent relationship will be respected and recognized in every state.

What if I am already on my child’s birth certificate?

Birth certificates are important records, but while they reflect parentage, they do not by themselves legally establish parentage.

Because of outdated laws and discrimination, relying only on a birth certificate can leave the critically important parent-child relationship vulnerable.

An adoption, court judgment, or equivalent of a court judgment is proof of legal parentage that must be recognized in all states.

  • While the U.S. Supreme Court decisions in Obergefell and Pavan make it clear that a child of married parents must have both parents—including the non-genetic or non-gestational parent—placed on their child’s birth certificate, the current extremist Court—specifically Justice Thomas—has hinted that the federal right to marriage equality could be vulnerable to future challenges.
  • For heterosexual couples, all states presume any children born during a marriage to be children of both spouses. This presumption should extend to same-sex couples after the U.S. Supreme Court decisions in Obergefell and Pavan, but there have been some concerning recent developments in certain states:
    • A few state trial courts have ruled that non-genetic or non-gestational parents of children born into marriages are not legal parents and should not be recorded as legal parents on their birth certificates.
    • Additionally, not all states have laws that clearly set out paths to parentage for families formed via assisted reproduction.
  • For unmarried parents, some states recognize non-genetic or non-gestational parents who consent to their partner’s assisted reproduction and/or who “hold out” the child to be their own, but their parentage may not be recognized by other states without taking one of the additional steps below.

What options do I have to get a court judgment recognizing my child-parent relationship?

Adoption

  • Confirmatory Adoption: A simple adoption process created by statute in a number of states to confirm, not establish, the parentage of those who are already legal parents under state law and allow them to obtain an adoption decree.
  • Stepparent Adoption: An adoption process available in every state since marriage equality became recognized across the country, but which requires a couple to be married. While a traditional “stepparent” is someone who marries a parent after the child is born, the process of stepparent adoption is available in every state to married same-sex couples, including couples who planned together to build their family.
  • Co-parent adoption: An adoption process available in some states to parents of any marital status. (These are sometimes called second-parent adoptions.)

As with any type of adoption, all the above adoptions are filed after a child is born. The requirements of an adoption vary depending on your state, but co-parent and stepparent adoptions can require a home study, criminal record check, notice to any potential other interested parties, and a waiting period. They may take months to complete, leaving a child without the security of two legal parents in the meantime. Confirmatory adoption processes, however, can happen more quickly.

Court Order of Parentage

  • Judgment of Parentage: Court judgments that may be sought in some states before or after a child’s birth to secure a non-genetic or non-gestational parent’s legal parentage. A judgment of parentage is often available in the context of a child born through assisted reproduction or surrogacy.
  • Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage (VAP)/Acknowledgment of Parentage: Simple, free forms to establish parentage that may be completed at the hospital immediately after a child’s birth (or later). All states are required by federal law to offer an acknowledgment process, but they have traditionally been used when a woman gives birth and a man to whom she is not married attests (with her permission) to being the parent of the child. As of December 2025, 15 states have expanded access to VAPs to include more types of families, including LGBTQ parents. A VAP is the equivalent of a court decree of parentage and is intended to receive full faith and credit in all states, although VAPs have not yet been tested in courts for LGBTQ parents. (Visit GLAD Law’s FAQ: Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage for an up-to-date listing of states and links to their specific requirements.)

What if my family is formed through surrogacy?

Surrogacy laws vary across the country. Some states provide detailed guidance about the parentage of children born through surrogacy; others have no statutes governing surrogacy, and one highly restricts surrogacy. A number of states have updated their laws recently to better protect all participants in the surrogacy process: the child, intended parents, and the person acting as a surrogate. These statutes allow the intended parents of children born through surrogacy to establish their parentage, regardless of the marital status or genetic connection of those intended parents. They also include provisions to protect the person acting as a surrogate, for example, by requiring that the intended parents pay for pregnancy-related healthcare and independent legal counsel and ensuring the person acting as a surrogate gets to make all health and welfare decisions about themselves and the pregnancy. Surrogacy is an important path to family building for some families, and it’s important to consult with an assisted reproduction lawyer in your state for guidance in this process.  

Do I need a lawyer?

No matter how your family began, consulting with a lawyer familiar with the establishment of parentage and LGBTQ families in your state can be very helpful to protecting your family. You may be able to do a consultation, or you may want to hire a lawyer to help you throughout the process. Regardless, it is important to consult with a reputable lawyer to understand the local rules so that you can comply with them and protect your child.

Where can I find a lawyer?

The National LGBTQ+ Bar Association maintains a Family Law Attorney Directory of experienced LGBTQ family law practitioners. Additionally, several major LGBTQ legal organizations offer helplines that can address questions, provide attorney referrals, and direct you further:

Where can I find more information?

Download a PDF version of this page

Identity Document Updates for Transgender People

Identity Document Updates for Transgender People: Current Considerations 

As of November 13, 2025 

Background and Context 

The practical impacts of the January 20, 2025 so-called “gender ideology” executive order are evolving. GLAD Law, along with our partner organizations, is working to answer questions as best we can as we learn more.

Following a January 2025 executive order from President Donald Trump barring people from updating the sex designation on their passports, the ACLU filed a federal lawsuit challenging the State Department’s refusal to issue passports with accurate sex designations on behalf of seven transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people. On June 17, 2025, a federal court temporarily blocked the order, allowing many transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people to receive passports with accurate sex markers while this litigation is pending. On November 6, 2025, the US Supreme Court temporarily put the lower court’s order on hold for now, allowing the State Department to implement a passport policy that limits sex markers to a person’s birth sex, preventing transgender and nonbinary people from obtaining passports reflecting a different sex than their birth sex. GLAD Law will continue to update information regarding this policy as we learn of developments.

Get more information about the status of Orr v. Trump here.

Transgender and nonbinary people are integral members of our communities – serving as judges, teachers, doctors, first responders, and countless other vital roles. They are beloved members of our families. This fundamental reality won’t change. These orders don’t alter the essential contributions and presence of transgender and nonbinary people throughout society.  

Federal ID Documents Questions and Answers 

The following Q&A provides general information about federal identity documents at this time. For many people individualized decisions will need to be made. Please contact GLAD Law Answers for questions specific to your situation. 

Regarding travel specifically: While the order will likely make things more complicated, there have been no directives suggesting people with IDs that don’t match their presentation won’t be able to travel. That said, we know that having nonconforming IDs can lead to additional scrutiny and potential mistreatment by TSA and other agencies – issues that many transgender and nonbinary people already navigate.  

Advocates for Trans Equality has a Know Your Rights: Airport Security Guide with additional information.  

What did the November 6 Supreme Court stay in Orr v. Trump do? 

On November 6, the US Supreme Court temporarily put a lower court’s order on hold for now, allowing the State Department to implement a passport policy that limits sex markers to a person’s birth sex, preventing transgender and nonbinary people from obtaining passports reflecting a different sex than their birth sex. While litigation continues, the State Department will issue new and renewed passports listing only a passport holder’s birth sex. People who already have passports with updated sex markers can continue to use them until they expire, at which point they will be subject to the new policy upon renewal.

GLAD Law will continue to update information regarding this policy as we learn of developments. For more information about the current litigation see, Orr v. Trump. 

Can I change my gender on my Consular Report of Birth Abroad?  

Not at this time. The Trump administration has stopped processing changes of gender markers on CRBAs.  

 There is no litigation currently pending about CRBAs but we will update this as things may evolve. 

Does the June 17 decision or November 6 stay in Orr v. Trump impact TSA Precheck, Global Entry, or visas? 

No. This decision only impacts the sex designation on passports. 

Can I still change my NAME with Social Security?  

Yes. As of now, one can still change a name on federal documents. 

If one changes their name through a local probate court process, are they then legally required to change their name with the Social Security Administration? 

Online guidance from the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) states that one must change their name with the SSA after changing their name in probate court. We are not aware of any penalties for failing to update with the SSA (for example, it is not one of the listed reporting responsibility items for those receiving Supplemental Security Income), nor are we familiar with any set deadline for updating SSA.  

That said, not having an up-to-date name with the SSA could result in revocation of a driver’s license listing an inconsistent name (see Leone v. Commissioner, Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, 933 N.E.2d 1244 (2010)), trouble providing a List C document for Form I-9 employment authorization procedures, or a private identity verifier receiving an SSA “no-match letter” when checking your identity for employment or medical purposes. Accordingly, it is suggested that people update their name with the SSA after getting a legal name change in court. 

If one changes their name through a local probate court process, are they then legally required to change their name on their US passport? 

We are not aware of a requirement to reflect a legal name change on a non-expired US passport. US Customs and Border Protection advises that US citizens and lawful permanent residents “should carry [certified] proof of their name progression such as… court documents showing a legal name change.”  

Applicants for a new or renewed passport should not falsely use their prior legal name on their application, as the Form DS-11 and Form DS-82 require that “the statements made on the application are true and correct.”  

Trans and nonbinary people have reported increased delays or interrogation when traveling internationally with mismatched IDs. Having the correct and current name on a passport can also be helpful for purposes such as providing a List A document for Form I-9 employment authorization procedures. However, given the uncertainty here with the pending ACLU lawsuit we recommend that, absent specific individualized circumstances, you should wait to seek any non-urgent changes to your US passports as this case develops and seek the advice of an attorney for any specific individualized circumstances.

What about my birth certificate? Can I still amend my gender marker on that?  

If you are a US citizen born abroad and have a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, you can no longer change your gender marker on that record.

If you were born in the US, state law determines whether you can amend your gender marker. This EO did nothing to change state law. If you can amend under your state laws or rules, you can still amend.   

What should I do if I need to apply for/renew a Passport or Visa now?    

Given the uncertainty here with the pending ACLU lawsuit we recommend that, absent specific individualized circumstances, you should wait to seek any non-urgent changes to your US passports as this case develops and seek the advice of an attorney for any specific individualized circumstances.

If you apply for a new Passport or a renewal, as with any Passport process, the agency may retain your documents for some time. Please make sure to keep certified copies of any identity documents you submit so that you have valid identification during the application process. 

What if I already have a Passport with a gender marker different from my sex at birth, including an X gender marker?  

The order doesn’t specifically address existing passports. Until new policies are announced, previously issued documents should remain valid through their expiration dates.  

Given the uncertainty here with the pending ACLU lawsuit, we recommend that, absent specific individualized circumstances, you should wait to seek any non-urgent changes to your US passports as this case develops and seek the advice of an attorney for any specific individualized circumstances. The matters are currently being litigated and there may well be changes coming in the future. We will continue to monitor developments around this order closely and will update this document as we learn more information. We have no indication that people are unable to travel with these documents or with federal documents that may be inconsistent with state documents. 

If I have an X gender marker or gender marker that does not conform to my sex at birth on my Passport or driver’s license/ID card, can the TSA prevent me from flying?   

Nothing in the executive order suggests people with nonconforming gender markers on valid documents should be turned away from a flight. GLAD Law is monitoring developments around this order closely and will update this document as we learn more information. 

If I have a gender marker on my Passport or driver’s license/ID card that does not conform to my sex at birth, can my gender expression be used by the TSA to prevent me from flying?

Nothing in the executive order suggests people with nonconforming gender markers on valid documents should be turned away from a flight. GLAD Law is monitoring developments around this order closely and will update this document as we learn more information.   

 If I have identity documents that conform to my gender identity, should I change them to conform to my sex at birth?   

GLAD Law is closely tracking developments, and we are not able to provide insights into this at this time. People should make individual assessments of best next steps for them and as we learn more about how federal policy is being changed to conform to the administration’s directives, we will share more.  

Does the EO affect Real IDs? 

REAL IDs are issued by state governments to meet federal security standards for domestic air travel between and within states and access to federal facilities. As of May 7, 2025, you will need a REAL ID or federally accepted document for air travel between and within states.  

The federal government has established consistent requirements for obtaining a REAL ID, so the process is the same across all states. However, each state has its own procedures for how to obtain and update identification documents, including how to change your name and gender marker, and each state differs on whether you can obtain an X marker on state identity documents. 

Of course, things are changing quickly. As of April 25, 2025, the federal government has not changed its REAL ID policies to require states to treat transgender and non-binary people differently. So as of now, if you live in a state that allows for transgender people to have accurate name and gender markers on state identity documents, you can get a REAL ID that is accurate. 

As we know, the federal government no longer allows people to get X markers on Passports or with social security. So, if your state allows you to get a REAL ID with an X marker, we do not yet know if this will flag you for additional screenings or barriers at airports.  

If you encounter issues while traveling with your REAL ID, please let us know by contacting GLAD Law Answers.  

Current Recommendations 

If you’ve been considering updating your identity documents, now may be the right time to update state-level documents like driver’s licenses and birth certificates so you have them should federal policies change. If you are in New England you can find resources for these changes here. For other states, you can find information about pathways to update these documents at LGBT MAP.    

Guideposts for Decision-Making 

Consider these factors when deciding how to proceed: 

  1. Immediate Needs: Assess which documents you use most frequently for employment, healthcare, financial interactions, travel, or other essential activities.
  1. State Residence: 
    • Research your state’s current policies for document updates. A4TE’s ID Documents Center is a good place to start. If you live in New England, you can also visit GLAD Law’s ID Project. 
    • Consider whether you expect to remain in your current state long-term
  1. Timeline Considerations: 
    • Be aware of processing times for different documents 
    • Consider which changes might be most time-sensitive 
    • Factor in any upcoming life changes (moving, job changes, travel) 
  1. Support Network: 
    • Connect with local LGBTQ+ organizations for guidance 
    • Consult with trans-affirming legal resources if available 
    • Consider having a support person help navigate the process 

Remember that these decisions are personal and should be based on your specific circumstances, needs, and comfort level. Consider consulting with transgender competent legal professionals or LGBTQ+ organizations for personalized guidance. Some places to start are GLAD Law Answers, NCLR’s Help Desk, and the National LGBTQ Bar Association 

Digital Safety Guide

GLAD Law Digital Safety Guide

At GLAD Law we know that staying safe online is important, especially for queer and trans folks. Below you will find information and resources on online safety, harassment, and doxing to keep yourself and your organization safe.

Download a PDF of this resource

What steps can I take to protect myself online?

The first thing you should consider is assessing your online presence and making sure you are taking steps to protect your personal and identifying information wherever you can. Everyone is at a different level of risk based on their situation, activities, and background.

Some steps you can take to minimize risk include:

  • Protect your accounts
  • Use strong passwords
  • Utilize a password manager
  • Create a separate email account specifically for password recovery
  • Utilizing two-factor identification for all online accounts
  • Understand the privacy and harassment policies of the sites you use. See Right to Be’s Guide to Privacy and reporting on social media platforms.
  • Limit what you share:
  • Turn off location services (Google and Android, IOS, apps)
  • Turn off all the things that allow people to drop files on your devices, like airdrop (apple) and bluetooth.
  • Remove personal identifying information, such as your address, from digital spaces (social media, LinkedIn, etc.)

You can search for what is available about you online (self-doxing) and take steps to remove what you can. Here are a few examples of sites that you can use:

Spokeo
Anywho.com
Intelius
Whitepages

Doxing (also called doxxing):

What is doxing?

Doxing is the act of revealing someone’s personal information online. The term is derived from “dropping dox” or documents about an adversary. Doxing is a form of online harassment that means publicly exposing someone’s real name, address, job, or other identifying data. Doxing happens without a victim’s consent, with the aim of humiliating or bullying a victim.

If you have been doxed and begin to receive direct threats of violence or experience violence, you are able to request a Harassment Prevention Order (also called Civil Protection Orders or Temporary Restraining Orders).

Read more here:

Is Doxing Illegal?

There are no specific anti-doxing laws in most jurisdictions. Instead, the legality of doxing is determined on a case-by-case basis. While compiling or publishing publicly available information is rarely illegal, there are other crimes that doxers can be charged for. Those crimes include stalking, harassment, identity theft, or incitement to violence.

In the US, the Interstate Communications Statute and the Interstate Stalking Statute may be applied to doxing, depending on the details of a particular case. Doxing could also violate the terms of service for certain websites. For instance, Twitter prohibits posting the private information of another person without their permission.

Read more here: Avast

More information on Harassment Prevention Orders in:

I am being doxed. What can I do?

There are several free, DIY methods to help eliminate or lessen the effects of doxing as well as the amount of personal information that is online.


You can find more information using the resources below.


Another option is paying to have your personal information scrubbed from the internet by a service. Below are two such paid services that can help you scrub personal information online. These are not intended as endorsements, and there are other services available as well. We encourage you to research to find the service that best meets your need and your budget.

Deleteme
Brightlines

How can I protect my organization from online harassment?

Right to Be has a digital how to guide you can find here. And another here.

How can I help stop doxing all together?

Support the Anti-Defamation League’s efforts to disrupt online hate. Volunteer with the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative.

Dealing with doxing is taking a toll on my mental health. What can I do?

The Trevor Project has a 24/7 national hotline for LGTBQ+ people in crisis. For folks living in New England, Fenway Health has a free mental health program for LGBTQ+ people who have or are experiencing violence and harassment. Tips for dealing with the effects of doxing from GoodTherapy can be found here.





Acknowledgements: All of the information in this guide came from the linked sources above. The majority of this information came from Right to Be and can be accessed on their Digital Safety How-To Guide.


Download a PDF of this resource



Blog

Resources for New England Parents

LGBTQ+ Parents: We know you’re worried about the safety and security of your children.  

New England has many protections for LGBTQ+ families.

Here are steps you can take to protect your parent-child relationship, depending on which state you are in and how your family is formed:

  • Sign a voluntary acknowledgment of parentage (VAP)
    • This simple administrative form is available to both married and unmarried LGBTQ+ parents, where one parent gave birth to the child, in Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Maine. Currently unmarried LGBTQ+ parents in Massachusetts can sign a VAP and married LGBTQ+ parents will be able to do so beginning in January 2025. The VAP forms for these states are linked below. Make sure you contact vital records in your state and execute the VAP form following all instructions, including making sure you have a witness or notary and filing the form with the appropriate authorities.  
  • Seek a co-parent adoption
    • This is available to LGBTQ+ parents in all New England states. It generally involves working with an attorney. Maine, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire also have the option of a confirmatory adoption, which is a streamlined process for LGBTQ+ parents to confirm their parentage. More information is below.
  • Seek a parentage judgment 
    • Court judgments that may be sought in some states before or after a child’s birth to secure a non-genetic or non-gestational parent’s legal parentage. A judgment of parentage is often available in the context of a child born through assisted reproduction or surrogacy.

Further information and resources to support your family are available below.

General

Connecticut 

Maine 

Massachusetts

  • Massachusetts just passed the Massachusetts Parentage Act, which is effective on January 1, 2025
    • Please come to a community webinar on November 13 that will explain this new law. Register today.
  • Right now, unmarried parents of children born through assisted reproduction can sign a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage (VAP) in the hospital to secure their parent-child relationship
  • Right now, LGBTQ+ parents—married and unmarried—can seek a co-parent adoption of their child in the Probate and Family Court. Co-parent adoption has been available in Massachusetts since 1993 and remains an excellent way to secure parentage. We are working on a resource to explain how to do this. For referrals for lawyers to assist you, contact GLAD Answers. 

New Hampshire

  • New Hampshire has very good protections for LGBTQ+ parents, including parentage through assisted reproduction, surrogacy, and holding out
  • Right now, LGBTQ+ parents—married and unmarried—can seek a co-parent adoption of their child. We are working on a resource to explain how to do this. Contact GLAD Answers to be connected with an attorney who can help you.
  • GLAD Law will be in New Hampshire on December 10 to meet with families about protections. More information will be posted on our website soon.

Rhode Island

Vermont 

Clarifying Healthcare Nondiscrimination Protections in Connecticut

Update: HB7135 and SB1380 were signed into law!

GLAD Law is supporting legislation in Connecticut that will clarify healthcare nondiscrimination protections in statute.

Read GLAD Law’s testimony in support of SB1380, which would reinforce healthcare nondiscrimination protections, and HB7135, which would strengthen the state’s shield law.

Increasing Access to Reproductive Health Care in Connecticut

Victory! On June 9, 2025, Governor Lamont signed HB7213 into law.

Contraception and pregnancy related care is important for the health and safety of all people, including LGBTQ young people.

At a time when access to reproductive healthcare is increasingly under threat, it is important for Connecticut to address the lack of explicit provisions in statute ensuring that minors can confidentially consent to contraceptive care or to pregnancy-related care. HB7213, “An Act Concerning Access to Reproductive Health Care,” will address that gap. On March 17, 2025 GLAD Law submitted testimony in support of HB7213.

GLAD Law supports the right of parents to provide medically necessary care for their children, consistent with medical standards of care. Ideally, children and parents are able to to discuss important health topics that arise in a child’s life. At the same time, it is important for all minors to be able to access certain critical forms of health care regardless of whether they have the consent of their parents.

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