OK, I've completed the name change. Now what?

Congratulations! It's now official - you are who you thought you were! Unfortunately, the court does not automatically notify anyone that your name has been officially changed, so you will need to obtain identification in your new name and notify organizations, companies and people that your name has changed.

Changing Your Birth Certificate

The states listed below are the states where we have successfully had new birth certificates issued. A more complete list (for which we can't vouch) can be found here.

Pennsylvania

To request a change of name, write a brief letter to the Vital Records Dept. stating that you have had a legal name change and wish to have a new birth certificate issued. Send the letter along with:

  • a copy of your changed ID (with your current address)
  • a money order for $10
  • a certified copy of the court order
to Vital Records, PO Box 1528, New Castle PA 16103. The gender marker can be changed at the same time; be sure to indicate that your gender has changed in your letter and include a letter from your surgeon. This letter should state that "sex reassignment surgery has been successfully completed" and you are "now functioning within the newly assigned gender". No fee is required if the original birth certificate is returned with your request or if are serving or have served in the U.S. military. You can get a copy of your original birth certificate by submitting this form (there is a $10 fee per certificate).

Mississippi

To request a change of name, write a brief letter to the Vital Records Dept. stating that you have had a legal name change and wish to have a new birth certificate issued. Send the letter along with:

  • a copy of your changed ID
  • a certified copy of the court order
  • your original birth certificate
to Vital Records, State Dept. of Health, 571 Stadium Drive, Jackson MS 39216. There is no form for this and it cannot be done in person. The gender marker can be changed at the same time; be sure to indicate that your gender has changed in your letter and include a letter from your surgeon.

New Jersey

The following need to be submitted to the NJ Dept of Vital Statistics at PO Box 370,Trenton, NJ 08625-0370:

  • A copy of your original birth certificate
  • A certified copy of the name change order
  • Brief letter stating what you’re requesting (a new birth certificate to reflect your changed name). Include the address to send the new certificate.
  • A check or money order for $27 payable to “New Jersey State Treasurer”

New Jersey will also amend the gender marker if you also submit a letter from your SRS surgeon and request the change.

Changing Your Social Security Card

To change the name on your Social Security card, complete form SS-5 and take it along with your changed ID, birth certificate and certified court order to your local Social Security office. A large and generally efficient office is located at 1234 Market St, but you can go to any office. To find out if another office is closer to you, please check www.ssa.gov/locator. You can mail the application together with the required documents, but I do not recommend this. If you do choose to mail the application, be sure to send it certified mail, return receipt requested. Although there is no gender marker on your social security card, a gender is associated with your number and can be changed with a suitable surgeon letter at the same time your name is changed.

Changing your ID/Drivers License

Pennsylvania

To change the name on your Pennsylvania ID, you will need to complete form DL-54B. To change the name on your Pennsylvaia drivers license, you will need to complete form DL-80.You will need to take this completed form together with a certified copy of your name change order to a DMV exam center to have a new ID card issued. You can also mail the required documents to Bureau of Driver Licensing, P.O. Box 68272, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8272. If you have a suitable surgeon letter, you may want to request that your gender marker be changed at the same time. (Please contact me if you have questions about this.) There should not be a fee for a changed/corrected card to be issued.

If you have never had a PA ID card or your card has expired, the correct form is DL-54A. There is a $10 charge for this card.

Certified Copies

If your petition was filed for free (almost all of the petitions we file are) you are entitled to at least one free certified copy of the Name Change Order. You can obtain this copy and purchase additional copies from room 269 in City Hall. You will likely need at least three certified copies – one for the DMV, one for the Social Security Administration and one for the Department of Vital Statistics.  You may also need copies for credit card agencies, insurance companies, and any other place that currently knows you by your old name.

I’m more than happy to help you with this process. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me at (215) 634-5272 x114. Again, congratulations!

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