California DMV advisory
Jennifer Usher
"Michelle Steiner" <mich...@postop.org> wrote in message
news:michelle-A38D09...@news.newsguy.com...
> Social Security will not change the name and gender flag without
> adequate documentation for the name (a driver's license), and will not
> normally change the gender flag before genital reconstruction. The
> California Department of Motor Vehicles, in turn, will not issue a
> permanent license until the records match. As a result, newly applying
> trans individuals are inadvertent and unanticipated victims placed in a
> "Catch-22" conundrum.
True, though there are exceptions. My Social Security records say female,
though in Alabama I cannot get the sex on my license changed until after
surgery.
--
Jennifer Usher
Patricia-Jean Cody
attention since I will be going to the DMV soon to get my DL changed;
both to transfer from Texas to California but, to change the name &
gender as well.
Now, I've already filed for a change-of-name thru the courts & I go
back May 29th for "approval" and to pickup the forms. I also picked up
a DMV "Name & Gender Change" form from my doctor. My question is will
I have any problems changing my DL without the court change-of-name
paperwork? I would think all I need to do is show what paperwork (plus
receipts) that I filed and the DMV form to get this all done. Then,
take all this down to the SS office and get that done as well.
Thoughts?
Patricia-Jean Cody
Debra Davies
California DMV at the San Fernando Valley offices (in L.A.)
I did Social Security first because DMV advised me they couldn't make their
changes until they received proof that Social Security had already made the
changes. I have no idea whether what they told me was in fact correct.
The Social Security clerk wanted proof that I've been working as a female. I
have not but I came armed with a letter to Social Security from my shrink (an
M.D.) to the effect that I'm tg and living full-time as a female. That was
enough for the clerk; she made the change in the computer. The next day I
returned and got a printout evidencing the change. A different clerk
date-stamped my copy.
The next day I had my appointment with DMV. I brought with me (i) a California
DMV Form DL 328 (REV. 4/93) (Medical Information Authorization (Name and Gender
Change)) appropriately completed and signed by my shrink, (ii) a letter to DMV
from my shrink identical in content to her letter to Social Security, and (iii)
a copy of the printout from Social Security. Unlike Social Security, the DMV
clerk (a woman) was not persuaded. She went off to consult a supervisor and
returned to tell me DMV could not do what I was asking, mumbling something
about new regulations that had gone into effect on January 1st. I asked to see
her supervisor, to whom I showed my paperwork and explained that the Harry
Benjamin SOC required me to live f/t as a female, including changing my name
and gender on records such as my driver's license. (In retrospect I would have
also brought with me a printout of the SOC so I could point to the haec verba
in b&w. This time it wasn't necessary.) The supervisor went off to review her
regulations (I don't know what she looked at) and returned with a smile saying
everything was ok, that DMV would effect the name and gender changes. The
sullen clerk processed my application and gave me a temporary license with my
female name and gender marked 'F'(!) I never got her to crack a smile. They
took my picture and three weeks later I had my new photo-ID license.
I hope this helps.
Debra
Gwendolyn Ann Smith
<sos...@sprintmail.com> wrote:
> In late January I did my name and gender change (MtF) with Social Security and
> California DMV at the San Fernando Valley offices (in L.A.)
Had mine done some time back at the SF DMV. They were clearly "old
pros" at DL-328 forms, and I've since sent many a friend through that
office.
Never a worry, never an SSN check, and so on.
Cheers,
Gwen Smith
--
. .
/\\//\ Gwendolyn Ann Smith * Community Host, Trans Gazebo
> () < Board Member, GEA * Columnist, Bay Area Reporter
\/()\/ Webmistress, SCCatl * Webmistress, Gender.org
"I want this to be a harmony of voices" - Lauren D. Wilson
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