Trans Resource Navigator

Louisiana

ID documents
Restrictive
Care
Restrictive
Shield lawA state law that protects patients and providers of gender-affirming care from investigations, subpoenas, or extradition attempts by states that ban that care.
No

Louisiana lets adults change their name by petition in district court with no newspaper publication.

More about Louisiana

Changing the sex marker is much harder: the Office of Motor Vehicles' written policy asks for a physician's statement that you have had a "successful gender change/reassignment," and a new birth certificate requires a court judgment based on proof of surgery. A 2026 law (Act 814) defines "sex" throughout state law as sex observed at birth, and it is not yet clear how agencies will apply it. Gender-affirming medical care for minors has been banned since January 1, 2024; adults can get care, but Louisiana Medicaid reportedly excludes it and there is no shield law.

This state’s pages are drafts written from official sources and not yet checked by a person. What this means

Your documents, in order

Most people go in this order, because each office checks the one before it. On every document, updating your name and changing your gender marker are separate questions with separate answers.

  1. Legal name changeState court
    Name
    YesNo newspaper notice, hearing sometimes
  2. Social SecurityFederal, same in every state
    Name
    YesAfter your legal name change
    Gender marker
    NoCannot be changed right now
  3. Driver's license / state IDLouisiana DMV
    Name
    YesAfter your legal name change
    Gender marker
    UnclearNo written policy; see details
  4. US passportFederal, same in every state
    Name
    YesAfter your legal name change
    Gender marker
    NoCannot be changed right now
  5. Birth certificateOnly if born in Louisiana
    Name
    YesAfter your legal name change
    Gender marker
    LimitedM or F with proof of surgery

Born somewhere other than Louisiana? Your birth certificate follows the state where you were born. Choose your birth state

Gender-affirming care

Adults
Limited
Under 18
Banned
Adults can legally get hormone therapy and other gender-affirming care in Louisiana, but Louisiana Medicaid is reported to exclude it, state law does not stop private plans from excluding it, and there is no Planned…Find clinics, health centers, telehealth, and ways to pay

Local help

Statewide organizations

Sources for this page (7)

Sources

7 sources. Numbers in the text, like [1], point here.

  1. La. R.S. 1:8, definition of sex (added by Act 814 of 2026, HB 578)Louisiana State Legislature, Law. accessed
    “"Sex" means an individual's biological sex, either male or female, as observed or clinically certified at birth.”
  2. La. R.S. 40:1098.2, Stop Harming Our Kids Act, healthcare professionals; restrictionsLouisiana State Legislature, Law. accessed
  3. OMV Policy 22.01, Gender Change / ReassignmentLouisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, Official page. accessed
    “A medical statement signed by a physician stating that the applicant has undergone a successful gender change/reassignment.”
  4. Louisiana equality profileMovement Advancement Project, Organization. accessed
  5. ID Documents CenterLouisiana Trans Advocates, Organization. accessed
  6. Trans LifelineOrganization. accessed