Carl Charles ( @charl_carles), an attorney in NYC, outlines via tweets why it’s important transgender people change their gender marker on their passport before January 20th. And how to go about changing your passport.
1) A passport is a fed ID that can be used instead of a birth certificate when required #translawhelp #transgender #trans #transisbeautiful — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
2) That means a passport is good in every state (and out the country, if ur wondering) #translawhelp #transgender #trans #transisbeautiful — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
3) If u show someone a passport, they can’t turn u away because it’s from a diff state. #translawhelp #transgender #trans #transisbeautiful — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
4) A passport is good for 10 yrs, where as some driver’s license’s require renewal often #translawhelp #transgender #trans #transisbeautiful — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
5) this is HUGE for trans people, who are often subjected to changing standards for IDs #translawhelp #transgender #trans #transisbeautiful — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
6) So why is it crucial to update your passport NOW before getting ur name changed? #translawhelp #transgender #trans #transisbeautiful — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
7) BC the current policy is VERY T friendly, but b/c it was an exec order, it could disappear on Jan 20 #translawhelp #transgender #trans — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
8) What makes this policy so trans friendly? #translawhelp #transgender #trans #transisbeautiful — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
9) You don’t need proof of surgery to update ur gender marker. U read that correctly. #translawhelp #transgender #trans #transisbeautiful — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
10) this is HUGE for many trans people who cannot afford or don’t want surgery. #translawhelp #transgender #trans #transisbeautiful — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
11) You also do not need to have your name legally changed b4 getting a passport. #translawhelp #transgender #trans #transisbeautiful — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
12) This is HUGE for trans people b/c name changes r expensive/take time in many states #translawhelp #transgender #trans #transisbeautiful — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
13) You can update the name on your passport w/in a YEAR of receiving at NO CHARGE #translawhelp #transgender #trans #transisbeautiful — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
14) The form to update your name after you receive your passport is here, under “name changes” https://t.co/dq9VMRTuEU — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
15) So, until Jan 20, 2017: No name change and no gender change req. to get passport. #translawhelp #transgender #trans #transisbeautiful — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
16) What do u need to get a passport? 1st: A letter from a licensed dr on letterhead. #translawhelp #transgender #trans #transisbeautiful — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
17) Here’s a template from the gov that ur doc can use verbatim: https://t.co/3ClTUICKSA #translawhelp #transgender #trans #transisbeautiful — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
18) 2nd: $135 app fee plus $15 for photos, which if you don’t have, I can give you. #translawhelp #transgender #trans #transisbeautiful — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
19) 3rd: Your original birth certificate (which again DOES NOT NEED TO BE UPDATED) #translawhelp #transgender #trans #transisbeautiful — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
20) 4th: pic ID that shows ur current appearance (again DOES NOT NEED TO BE UPDATED) #translawhelp #transgender #trans #transisbeautiful — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
21) 5th: You need a paper copy of that ID, front and back (78 cents from Kinkos) #translawhelp #transgender #trans #transisbeautiful — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
22) 6th: A completed DS-11 form available here: https://t.co/FCbj0axX9s #translawhelp #transgender #trans #transisbeautiful — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
23) That’s it, that’s all you need. LISTEN to me tho: Don’t be intimidated #translawhelp #trans #transisbeautiful #transgender #passports — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
24) There are TONS of attorneys and other advocates who can help u if it seems daunting. #trans #passport #transisbeautiful #transgender — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
25) Don’t let the lack of $$$ stop you, you have some great funding options #translawhelp #trans #transisbeautiful #transgender #passports — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
26) 1st: @KendraSerra is matching individ donors with individual trans folks. #translawhelp #trans #transisbeautiful #transgender #passports — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
27) If u prefer not to share ur identity and still need $$$: https://t.co/5vTXcZ70x1 … #translawhelp #trans #transisbeautiful #transgender — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
28) This a GAME CHANGER for trans people. Spread the word. We have until Jan. 20, 2017 #translawhelp #transgender #trans #transisbeautiful — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
29) Have?s Need attorneys in ur area who can help? Visit https://t.co/Gy6k5kWz9C, DMs r open #translawhelp @TransLawHelp #transgender #trans — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
30) LISTEN: You are loved. You are valuable. U deserve to b here and b seen. #translawhelp #transisbeautiful #trans #transgender #passports — Carl Charles (@charl_carles) November 16, 2016
A passport is a federal ID and will work in nearly of instance of needing an ID.