Gender Change is the process of legally changing your gender from the gender identified at birth once you have begun or completed the medical gender transition process.  A legal gender change through a court order is an important step in the gender change process, and may be necessary for some transgender people.

A person may need to officially register a gender change court order with the appropriate authorities. This process includes notifying various government agencies, each of which may require medical and legal proof of the gender change and may charge a fee.

Important government agencies to be notified include the Social Security Administration, Bureau of Consular Affairs (for passports), the United States Postal Service, and the Department of Motor Vehicles (for a new driver's license or state identification card). 

The Social Security Administration and the U.S. State Department do not currently require court order proof in order to update gender markers on Social Security records and U.S. Passports.

Some states, such as California, also do not require gender change court orders in order to update a California birth certificate.

Arkansas law currently requires "surgical procedure" in order to change the gender marker on Arkansas birth certificates.

If you were born in another state but currently live in Arkansas, whether you need a gender change court order depends on the requirements of your birth state.  If you were born in Arkansas but currently live in another state, you will need to obtain a gender change court order from an Arkansas court or from a court in the state in which you live.

If you have begun or completed your gender transition, Lauro Law is here to help you through the legal process.

Lauro Law is one of the premier Arkansas Gender Change law firms.  We have extensive experience successfully assisting clients through this process.

We will:

• Explain the entire Gender Change process and how we will facilitate that process
• Explain your rights and responsibilities
• Provide you with appropriate data and information gathering questionnaires
• Create and electronically file the appropriate court documents
• Obtain the necessary certified copies of the order
• Provide you with an Individualized Detailed Roadmap for getting all your identity documents changed
• And assist you if you need help with having these documents updated.

This is one of the most requested legal services we provide for clients. If you are considering legally changing your gender we are here to help you through the process. For information about the process we use, court filings requirements and identity documents that need to be changed, please browse through our Library.

Lauro Law also assists the LGBT community with Name Changes. Select Court Filings for the Name Change process in Arkansas.

Select Identity Documents for a list and description of these documents.

Contact Lauro Law, PLLC by calling 501-613-6529 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Older Information:

November 2016 - FAQ on Name and Gender Changes for Transgender People Post-Election (by NCLRights.org)