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Changing Your Name and Gender: DMV

Changing the Information on Your Driver's License

Gender Change on California Driver's License:

Governor Brown signed Senate Bill (SB) 179 on October 15, 2017. Effective January 1, 2019, this legislation allows individuals applying for an original or renewal Driver License (DL) or Identification card (ID) to self-certify to their chosen gender category of male, female, or nonbinary.

  • On September 1, 2018, the California Courts implemented a portion of SB 179 as it pertains to name and gender change processes.
  • On January 1, 2019, the DMV began allowing individuals to self-certify and choose a gender category of male, female, or nonbinary on their DL/ID card.
  • Applicants wishing to change their gender are encouraged to schedule an appointment.
  • The DMV revised the Driver License & ID Card Application (DL 44), Commercial Driver License Application (DL 44C), and the electronic application (eDL 44) to allow individuals to request a gender category of male, female, or nonbinary.
  • DMV is using the following gender category codes on DL/ID cards:
    • F = female
    • M = male
    • X = nonbinary
  • The form Gender Category Request (DL 329 S) can be completed before your DMV visit.
  • There will be no additional fee to change the gender category on a DL/ID card. However, the standard DL/ID card application fees will apply.

Name Change on California Driver's License

To apply for a name change you will need to:

1. Contact the Social Security Administration to change your name on your SSA records first - the DMV will contact the SSA to verify your name, birth date, and social security number before changing the name on your drivers license. See this page of the guide for more information.

2. Complete a Driver License or Identification Card Application.

3. Visit a DMV office (appointments are recommended).

4. Provide acceptable documentation showing correct name, such as a court order or marriage certificate. See “True Full Name” and "How to Change Your Name" for more information. 

5. Pay the driver license (DL) or identification (ID) card application fee.

6. Give a fingerprint scan.

7. Have your photograph taken.

Acceptable evidence of your new name may be provided by showing an original or certified copy of an identity document or a true full name document.