Trans Resource Navigator

New York

ID documents
Protective
Care
Protective
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.
Yes, protects care

New York is among the most protective states for trans people.

More about New York

You can change your name and legal sex designation in one court petition with no newspaper publication, and choose M, F, or X on your driver's license and birth certificate by self-attestation. Medicaid and state-regulated insurance cover gender-affirming care, and a 2023 shield law protects patients and providers from other states' bans. New York City and the rest of the state issue birth certificates separately, and NYC residents can file name changes in Civil Court for $65.

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 IDNew York DMV
    Name
    YesAfter your legal name change
    Gender marker
    YesM, F, or X with your own signed form
  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 New York
    Name
    Limited
    Gender marker
    YesM, F, or X with your own signed form

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

Gender-affirming care

Adults
Allowed
Under 18
Allowed
Gender-affirming care is legal and protected in New York for adults and minors.Find clinics, health centers, telehealth, and ways to pay

Local help

Statewide organizations

Sources for this page (6)

Sources

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

  1. A5465-D (2021), Gender Recognition Act, Chapter 158 of 2021New York State Senate, Law. accessed
  2. S2475-B (2023), gender-affirming care shield law, Chapter 143 of 2023New York State Senate, Law. accessed
  3. 18 NYCRR § 505.2(l), Medicaid coverage for gender dysphoria treatmentLegal Information Institute, Regulation. accessed
  4. How to legally change your name in New York CitySylvia Rivera Law Project, Organization. accessed
  5. LGBTQ LawNew York Legal Assistance Group, Organization. accessed
  6. Trans LifelineOrganization. accessed