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TGD Gender Marker and Name Change Roadmap

Important Note: The following steps are applicable to the state of Illinois and the process may be different in other states. For residents of states other than Illinois, the Advocates for Trans Equality offers helpful information through their ID Documents Center.

How to Change Your Gender Marker in Illinois

Due to recent legislative changes, changing your gender marker on identification and birth certificates in Illinois is now easier than ever and is a relatively quick process.

1.  Print, complete, and sign the Gender Designation Change Form. 2.  Make sure you have acceptable identification for proof of identity. 3.  Determine your applicable fee for the change and prepare it in cash.
  • If changing your driver’s license, there is a $5 fee. If changing your state ID, there is a $10 fee.
4.  Gather your completed Gender Designation Change Form, your proof of identity, your incorrect state ID or driver’s license, and any applicable fee.
  • If also requesting a name change, you must also bring the official name change court order.
5.  Visit a Secretary of State facility and let an attendant know that you’re there to change the gender marker on your identification. You will have all of the necessary documentation, so the process should move smoothly. 6.  Once you’ve completed the process, the attendant will give you a temporary corrected paper ID that can be used until your permanent corrected ID arrives in the mail a few weeks later. Note: As of January 1, 2024, the gender/sex designation will include X in addition to M and F. This option will be required on all state forms (see HB3534).

1.  Print out a copy of the Illinois Affidavit and Certificate of Correction Request form. 2.  Complete the first and second sections of the form in black pen, but do NOT complete the third section where you are asked to sign the document.
  • The first section asks for the information currently on your Illinois birth certificate. The second section asks for any necessary corrections.
3.  Make an appointment with a notary public.
  • Many banks, credit unions, and UPS stores have notary services available for a small fee. If those options don’t work, your workplace or local government may be able to connect you with free notary services.
4.  At your appointment with the notary, complete the third section where you are asked to sign the form and get it notarized. 5.  Make a copy of the completed form for your records. 6.  Gather the following:
  • The original notarized version of the Affidavit and Certification of Correct Request form.
  • A check or money order for $15, made payable to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
  • A copy of your non-expired government-issued photo ID.
  • Any supporting documentation needed for the correction.
    • If only changing your gender marker, no additional documentation is required.
    • If you are also changing your name, you must include a certified copy of the Court Order of Legal Name Change.
7.  Mail an envelope containing the request form, check or money order, copy of your ID, and any other supporting documentation to:
  • ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH Division of Vital Records 925 E. Ridgely Ave. Springfield, IL 62702-2737
8.  You should receive notice of your corrected documentation via mail within a few weeks. Note: As of July 1, 2023, it is no longer required to provide certification from a healthcare professional to change your gender marker on an Illinois Birth Certificate (see HB0009).

How to Change Your Name in Illinois

Legally changing your name can be a confusing and time intensive process. We have provided resources below to help walk you through the process. If you want more hands-on assistance with the process, we highly suggest reaching out to our friends at Legal Council for Health Justice or the Transformative Justice Law Project of Illinois. They offer direct legal assistance with the name change process that can help make it a breeze to complete.

To be eligible to legally change your name in Illinois, you need:
  • Proof of having lived in Illinois for at least 6 months
  • A government-issued ID (or proof of residency)
  • A birth certificate or passport *
* Beginning January 1, 2024, immigrants, legal permanent resident, and undocumented persons can petition for a name change if the person has proof of meeting the six-month Illinois residency requirement (see HB3882). Beginning January 1, 2024, qualifying persons with previous felony convictions can petition for a name change (see HB2542). Persons with felony sentences that have not been completed, terminated, or discharged are unable to file for a name change unless formally pardoned for the offense.

To complete this process, you will need:
  • State ID / Driver’s License / Proof of Residence
  • Birth Certificate / Passport
  • A complete Request for Name Change (Adult) form, signed by a witness.
  • A partially complete Order for Name Change (Adult), printed and ready to be completed by the judge.
  • Publication Notice of Court Date for Request for Name Change OR Motion to Waive Notice & Publication
Note on Publication Notice: it is required to file a Publication Notice of Court Date for Request for Name Change OR Motion to Waive Notice & Publication at least 6 weeks prior to the name change hearing. The publication notice will contain information about your name change and will be published in either the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin or Daily Herald. You will receive a publication certificate from the newspaper- this will also be filed with the court.

The following fees must be paid or waived:
  1. A court filing fee
  2. A certified copy confirming the legal name change
  3. A publication fee (if applicable)
For those unable to pay the fees, an exemption can be requested by filing the following: The following information is required for the waiver of court fees:
  • Monthly income AND yearly income
  • Any property
  • Monthly expenses
  • The number of people who are financial dependents
Note: if you receive public benefits such as SSI, General Assistance, SNAP, or TANF, you do not need to fill out information on money and property

1.  When the petition of name change is filed, the Clerk of Court’s computer system will assign the case to a judge’s calendar for a virtual Zoom hearing 2.  The hearing will take around 15-30 minutes to complete and a judge will grant or deny your name change petition 3.  After the hearing, you will receive a court order confirming your legal name change. Additional copies can be obtained with additional cost. The court order will be used to change your name on legal documents, accounts such as bank accounts, insurance, and other government programs For those filing a name change petition in Cook County, questions related to scheduling a zoom hearing should be sent to countydivision.inquiries@cookcountyil.gov

Contact for Additional Questions

If you have any other questions, you can reach the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records via phone at 217-782-6553 (Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.) or via email at dph.vitals@illinois.gov.

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