Change your gender designation: Driver licenses and ID cards
REAL ID Act
Starting July 1, 2018, all standard cards will be marked with language to indicate they're not valid for federal identification purposes. You may continue to use your marked or unmarked standard card for boarding airplanes and accessing secure federal facilities until October 1, 2020. Enhanced driver licenses and ID cards meet federal Real ID requirements and won't be marked.
Overview
- Update and verify your information with the Social Security Administration (SSA)
- Submit your information to us
1. Update and verify your information with the Social Security Administration (SSA)
If you have an Enhanced Drivers License (EDL) or Enhanced ID Card (EID), contact Social Security to update your information. We'll need to verify your information with SSA before changing your license.
- If you don't have an EDL, it’s still a good idea to update your information with Social Security. You'll want to make sure your name, date of birth, and gender matches on all your documents.
2. Submit your information to us
You can submit your information to us in person at an office or send it in the mail.
Option 1: Visit a driver licensing office location.
Bring:
- Your current WA:
- Driver license/ID card
- EDL/EID
- Instruction permit
- Payment for the fee
- One of these showing the new gender:
- Valid US Passport
- Certified US Birth Certificate
- Valid Driver's license or Identification card issued by a US state or territory
- Court Order indicating gender designation change
- Valid US Permanent Resident Card (I-551)
- Valid Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- A completed Change of Gender Designation Request (English, Español, Русский, and more)
Option 2: Mail to the address on the form.
- A completed Change of Gender Designation Request (English, Español, Русский, and more)
- A copy of your valid WA:
- Driver license/ID card
- EDL/EID
- Instruction permit
When we get all your information, we'll send you a letter to get a new card:
Related information
- How do I change my gender on Social Security's records? (ssa.gov)
- Change your name: Driver licenses and ID cards
- Change your address: Driver licenses and ID cards
