Trans Resource Navigator

South Dakota

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

South Dakota is restrictive. Since July 1, 2026, state law (HB 1184) defines "sex" as biological sex everywhere in state law and requires every state agency to follow that definition, so changing the sex on a South Dakota birth certificate is not available and a driver's license change is doubtful.

More about South Dakota

You can still change your name, but the court process requires a hearing and four weeks of newspaper publication. Gender-affirming care is legal for adults (Medicaid excludes "elective gender transition procedures"), and banned for anyone under 18.

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
    LimitedNewspaper notice required, court hearing required
  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 IDSouth Dakota 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 South Dakota
    Name
    YesAfter your legal name change
    Gender marker
    NoCannot be changed right now

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

Gender-affirming care

Adults
Allowed
Under 18
Banned
Adults can get hormone therapy and surgery in South Dakota, but South Dakota Medicaid excludes "elective gender transition procedures" and state law does not stop private plans from excluding care.Find clinics, health centers, telehealth, and ways to pay

Local help

Statewide organizations

  • The Transformation Project (Prism Community Center)[4][5][6]

    Sioux Falls nonprofit serving trans people and families statewide. Helps with name change and gender correction paperwork (email susan@transformationprojectsd.org), runs the Prism Community Center, a weekly "Safe Space" peer group for adults (in person and virtual), a provider referral list, a free clothing closet, and the SD Trans Resilience Fund for travel to out-of-state care. General line 605-610-8579.

    • Free
    605-610-8579500 N. Western Ave., Sioux Falls, SD

  • ACLU of South Dakota[7]

    Civil liberties organization that tracks and challenges anti-trans laws in South Dakota; use its "Get Help" form to report a rights violation.

    • Free

  • Trans Lifeline[8]

    Peer-support hotline run by and for trans people, 877-565-8860.

    • Free
    877-565-8860Languages: English, Español
Sources for this page (8)

Sources

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

  1. HB 1184 (2026), An Act to define man and woman throughout the stateSouth Dakota Legislature, Law. accessed
    “"Sex," except as used in chapters 22-24A and 22-24B, an individual's biological sex, either male or female ... Each state agency ... shall, in the execution of applicable duties, strictly adhere to the definitions”
  2. HB 1080 (2023), An Act to prohibit certain medical and surgical interventions on minor patientsSouth Dakota Legislature, Law. accessed
  3. South Dakota equality profileMovement Advancement Project, Organization. accessed
  4. Name Change & Gender CorrectionThe Transformation Project, Organization. accessed
    “For assistance with name change and gender correction paperwork, please reach out to Susan (she/her) at susan@transformationprojectsd.org”
  5. ContactThe Transformation Project, Organization. accessed
  6. Prism Community CenterThe Transformation Project, Organization. accessed
    “The Prism Center address is 500 N. Western Ave.”
  7. ACLU of South DakotaOrganization. accessed
  8. Trans LifelineOrganization. accessed