Free legal resources for transgender people living in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont) seeking to update their legal name and gender on federal and state documents.

In most cases you do not need to work with a lawyer to update your name or gender marker on ID documents, including

• Legal name change
• Social Security card
• U.S. passport
• Driver’s license or state-issued identification card
• Birth certificate

You can typically update these documents fairly easily on your own.

Given current wait times to be matched with a lawyer (up to 16 weeks), for the fastest turn around we recommend starting the process on your own if you can.

Click here for a quick reference guide on changing your name or gender marker in Massachusetts or on federal documents like passports and social security cards.

We will be adding reference guides for CT, ME, NH, RI, and VT soon. In the meantime, you can find information and forms for each state here.

We are currently experiencing wait times of about 16 weeks to match individuals with a lawyer for a straightforward name or gender marker update, and are prioritizing those whose situations most require lawyer assistance, such as:

• If you are incarcerated or formerly incarcerated

• If you are or are working with a system-involved youth

• If you are facing housing insecurity 

• If you have heightened concerns around privacy or safety or face risk upon disclosure of your identity 

If you have a circumstance that requires working with a lawyer, or if you have a question about the self-directed process, please complete the intake form below. Ropes & Gray LLP and Goodwin are the law firm partners working with GLAD and MTPC on this project.

If you have an urgent or time-sensitive matter, please note that on the form. If you prefer to speak to someone by phone you may leave a voicemail at 1-800-455-GLAD and we’ll return your call as soon as possible. We look forward to working with you.

This is a joint project of GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), Ropes & Gray LLP, Goodwin, and Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC).