Trans Resource Navigator

Driver’s license and state ID in Florida

Update your name
YesAfter your legal name change
Gender markerThe sex or gender field (M, F, or X) printed on an ID document or stored in an agency's record.
NoCannot be changed right now

Since January 26, 2024, Florida's driver's license agency (FLHSMV) will not change the sex marker on an existing Florida license, permit, or ID card, whatever documents you bring. Licenses already changed before that date can be renewed with the same marker. You can still change your name on the card.

Main cost
$25
Apply
In person

Draft from official sources, September 24, 2026. Not yet checked by a person. How we verify

On this page
  1. How it works
  2. Steps
  3. Costs and fee waivers
  4. Requirements
  5. After you finish
  6. Tips
  7. Laws and other guides
  8. Sources

How it works

Florida used to change the sex on a license with a doctor's letter. A FLHSMV memo dated January 26, 2024 ended that: the agency now treats sex as sex assigned at birth and rejects requests to amend the marker on an existing credential. The memo warned that listing a sex other than birth sex could be treated as misrepresentation, and in January 2025 the agency revoked a trans person's license after they described getting a marker changed through a replacement request. Do not try to get around the policy; it can put your license at risk.

What still works:

  • Already changed before January 26, 2024? You should be able to renew and keep your marker.
  • First Florida license or ID (for example, a new resident): the sex is taken from your primary identity document (US passport or birth certificate). Advocates report that a primary document already showing your gender has been accepted, but out-of-state licenses do not count as primary documents.
  • Name changes work as usual.

Florida does not offer an X marker.

Steps

  1. Update your name with Social Security first[5]

    FLHSMV requires your name to be updated with the Social Security Administration before it will change the name on your card. Bring the SSA receipt or wait a couple of days for records to update.

  2. Visit a driver license service center in person[5][6][7]

    Name changes cannot be done online. Bring your current card, an original or certified copy of your court order (or marriage certificate) showing the name change, and, if the final document does not show both your birth name and current name, every document linking them. You will take a new photo and pay the replacement fee.

    Cost
    $25 replacement driver's license (including name change); $25 iD card (original, renewal, or replacement)

  3. If your marker was already changed, renew as usual[1][2]

    If your license was amended before January 26, 2024, renew normally. If an office tries to revert your marker, ask for a supervisor and contact Southern Legal Counsel.

Costs and fee waivers

No fee waiver is available for this step.[7]

The fee page lists no low-income waiver; replacement licenses are free only for veterans adding the Veteran designation.

WhatCostNotes
Replacement driver's license (including name change)[7]$25Tax collector offices may add a $6.25 service fee.
ID card (original, renewal, or replacement)[7]$25

More detail

RequirementsWhere you live, timeline
Where you live
Florida residents holding or applying for a Florida license or ID card.[1][5][3][4]
Other
Sex marker changes on existing credentials are not accepted. Name changes require that Social Security already has your new name.
How long it takes

One office visit for a name change.

After you finishYour Florida card will keep the sex marker it has now.

Your Florida card will keep the sex marker it has now. For a US passport, the federal government currently issues passports only with sex assigned at birth, so there is no federal workaround at the moment. Keep your court order with you when your name and appearance do not match an old record. If you move to another state, you can apply for that state's license under its rules.

Tips2 tips from people who have done this
  • Do not report a card lost to get a new marker; FLHSMV has treated this as misrepresentation and revoked a license.
  • If an office refuses to renew a previously amended marker, contact Southern Legal Counsel (352-271-8890).
Laws and other guides2 other guides

Other trusted guides

Sources

7 sources. Numbers in the text, like [1], point here.Show all
  1. FAQ on DHSMV MemoEquality Florida, Organization. accessed
    “those with updated gender markers should be able to retain their affirming gender markers upon renewal”
  2. Step 3, Driver License GenderFlorida Name Change Project, Community. accessed
    “The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles recently changed its policy to prohibit gender marker amendments”
  3. FLHSMV Gender Marker Changes on IDs and LicensesACLU of Florida, Organization. accessed
  4. DeSantis Admin Revokes Trans Person's License Over Gender Marker ChangeTruthout, News. accessed
  5. Renew or Replace Your Florida Driver License or ID CardFlorida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Official page. accessed
    “Florida driver license or ID card holders must update their name with the Social Security Administration prior to updating their name on the credential”
  6. What to BringFlorida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Official page. accessed
  7. FeesFlorida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Official page. accessed
    “Replacement License: $25.00; Identification Cards (Original, Renewal & Replacement): $25.00”