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Driver’s license and state ID in Rhode Island

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.
YesM, F, or X with your own signed form

You can change the gender on a Rhode Island driver's license or ID to M, F, or X by filling out the DMV's Gender Designation form. No medical documentation is required. It must be done in person, and the update fee is about $25 to $28.50.

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. Free help
  5. Forms
  6. Requirements
  7. After you finish
  8. Tips
  9. Laws and other guides
  10. Sources

How it works

The Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles updates the gender marker on a license or state ID based on your own statement of your gender. You fill out the Gender Designation for License / Identification Card form, choose M, F, or X, and bring it to a DMV office with the License/ID/Permit application (LI-1). No doctor's letter, court order, or amended birth certificate is needed.

To change your name on the card, first get your court decree and update Social Security, wait at least 24 hours, then go to the DMV with a certified copy of the decree. You can change your name and gender in the same visit.

Steps

  1. If changing your name, update Social Security first[2][1]

    The DMV checks your name against Social Security's records. Update your name with SSA using your certified court decree, then wait at least 24 hours. You do not need the new card in hand.

  2. Fill out the forms[1][2]

    Complete the LI-1 application and, to change your gender marker, the Gender Designation form.

  3. Visit a DMV office in person[1][2][3]

    Book an appointment and bring:

    • Your completed forms.
    • Your current license or ID.
    • One proof of identity (for example a U.S. passport or certified birth certificate).
    • Two proofs of Rhode Island residency (utility bill, bank statement, or lease dated within 60 days; a shelter letter on letterhead dated within 30 days also works).
    • A certified copy of your name-change decree, if changing your name.
    • Payment (cash, card, check, or money order).

    A new photo is taken. DMV phone: 401-462-4368.

    Cost
    $25-$28.50 name change, information update, or duplicate license

Costs and fee waivers

WhatCostNotes
Name change, information update, or duplicate license[3][2]$25-$28.50The statutory fee is $25. Namesake reports a total of $28.50 at the counter. ID card and other license types may differ.

Free help

Legal clinics, organizations, and funds that help with this.

More detail

Forms2 forms: LI-1

Open a form for tips on filling it out.

Forms everyone files (1)

LI-1License/ID/Permit ApplicationRequired

How to fill it out

The last page lists accepted proof-of-identity and proof-of-residency documents. Use your new legal name if you are changing it.

Open LI-1[1][2]

Forms only some people need (1)

Gender Designation for License / Identification CardSometimes required: Only if you are changing the gender marker.

How to fill it out

Check M, F, or X and sign. You are attesting to your own gender; no provider signature is needed.

Open the form[1][2]

RequirementsTimeline
How long it takes

Done in one visit. Rhode Island mails the permanent card; ask at the counter how long it takes.

After you finishUpdate your birth certificate if you were born in Rhode Island, then your passport, bank, employer, and insurance.

Update your birth certificate if you were born in Rhode Island, then your passport, bank, employer, and insurance. The federal passport sex field is currently frozen at the sex on your earlier records, but the name can be changed.

Tips2 tips from people who have done this
  • You can change both name and gender marker in a single DMV visit.
  • An X marker on your state card is valid in Rhode Island, but some federal agencies and other states may not recognize it.
Laws and other guides1 law, 2 other guides

Laws and rules

Other trusted guides

Sources

4 sources. Numbers in the text, like [1], point here.Show all
  1. Rhode Island Identity DocumentsAdvocates for Trans Equality, Organization. accessed
    “Rhode Island will update the gender marker on a DL/ID to M, F, or X upon self-attestation by the applicant of their gender. No medical documentation is required.”
  2. Rhode Island State IDNamesake, Organization. accessed
    “The gender marker on your ID can be changed to M, F, or X. No medical documentation is required.”
  3. R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-31, FeesRhode Island General Assembly, Law. accessed
    “For every duplicate operator's or chauffeur's license and every routine information update, i.e., name change or address change, twenty-five dollars ($25.00)”
  4. Transgender ID ProjectGLAD Law, Organization. accessed