How to get a passport after a gender change

by Tony
(San Francisco, California, United States)

Question: What do I do if I have changed my gender legally however my birth certificate reflects the wrong gender? Incidentally I am from Ohio so I will be unable to get a birth certificate that reflects my gender change. Thank you for your help.

Answer: You must submit evidence of U.S. citizenship in order to obtain a passport. It is not necessary, however, for you to obtain an amended birth certificate reflecting the change in gender.

What you do need to submit, though, is a signed original statement, on office letterhead, from a licensed physician who has treated you for your gender-related care or reviewed and evaluated your gender-related medical history.

Licensed physicians include Medicial Doctors (M.D.) and Doctoros of Osteopathy (D.O.). The physician may specialize in various medical fields. Statements from persons who are not licensed physicians, such as phychologists, nurse practicioners, health practitioners, chiropractors, are not acceptable.

The statement must include the following information:

1. Physician's full name;
2. Medical license or certificate number;
3. Issuing state, country, or other jurisdiction of medical license/certificate;
4. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration number assigned to the doctor or comparable foreign registration number, if applicable;
5. Address and telephone number of the physician;
6. Language stating that he/she has treated you or has reviewed and evaluated your medical history and that he/she has a doctor/patient relationship with you;
7. Language stating that you had appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition to the new gender; and
8. Language stating "I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States that the forgoing is true and correct."

All other required documents must be submitted including a copy of a valid photo ID and a recent passport photo. If you legally changed your name, you must also submit official evidence of the name change.

Click the links below for more information.

New Passport Requirements

San Francisco Passport Offices