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Welcome to our one-stop hub for name and gender change information. Find out how to update your name and gender on state and federal IDs and records. 

Most courts and government offices have resumed normal operations with the formal end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Make sure to contact your local court or other government offices for details on their current operating hours and procedures, including if they require appointments for in-person visits.. You should keep dated copies of any materials you submit by mail or electronically. 

Last updated November 2023

 

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Name Change, Driver's License & Birth Certificate Policies in:

Federal IDs and Records:

Illinois Name Change Laws

To obtain a legal name change in Illinois, an applicant must submit a petition to the court and the petition must be verified “by the affidavit of some credible person.” The applicant must publish notice of the petition in the newspaper for three consecutive weeks, starting at least six weeks before the hearing. The publication requirement is waived if the name change is for witness protection purposes. Individuals who are not currently incarcerated but have a felony conviction within the last ten years are not permitted to change their name. Registered sex offenders are not permitted to change their name. (735 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 5/21-101 to 5/21-105).

For instructions on legal name changes for minors under 18 in Illinois, see NCTE's Name Changes for Minors in Illinois resource.

Illinois Drivers License Policy & Procedures

In August 2019 the governor signed HB 3534 mandating gender neutral "X" designations be added to all state forms. The Secretary of State has indicated that this option may not be available on driver's license until the year 2024.

Currently, M or F is available on an Illinois ID. To update the gender marker on an Illinois ID the applicant must sign a form attesting to their gender identity, with no medical signature or documentation required.

In order to correct the name and/or gender on an Illinois ID, an applicant must:

  1. Visit a Secretary of State facility to turn in your incorrect license
  2. Provide acceptable identification for proof of identity
  3. If requesting a name change, a document such as a court order demonstrating the name change
  4. If requesting a gender marker change, a Gender Designation Change Form signed by the applicant
  5. Pay the applicable fee

The Illinois Secretary of State's office addresses name and gender change here. Applicants must notify the Illinois Secretary of State of a legal name change within 10 days of the name change.

Illinois Birth Certificate Laws

As of January 1 2018, the Division of Vital Records will update the gender marker on an Illinois birth certificate upon receipt of a declaration by a licensed health care professional stating the person has undergone treatment that is clinically apprpriate for gender transition. See Public Act 100-0360.

To apply for an updated birth certificate, an applicant should submit:

  1. Affidavit and Certificate of Correction Request, signed in front of a notary
  2. To update the gender marker, a Declaration of Gender Transition, signed by a licensed health care professional (physician, advanced practice nurse, physician assistant, or mental health professional) 
  3. To update the name, a certified copy of your court order for name change
  4. Copy of a non-expired government-issued photo ID of the applicant
  5. Applicable fees ($15 fee includes one certified copy, $2 each additional copy)

Submit application to:

Illinois Department of Health
Division of Vital Records
925 E. Ridgely Avenue
Springfield, IL 62702-2737

If you have additional questions, you can reach the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records at 217-782-6553, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. or via email to [email protected].

 

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