Illinois Identity Documents

Illinois Name Change Laws

To obtain a legal name change in Illinois, an applicant who has resided in the state for at least six months must submit a petition to the court and the petition must be verified under oath. The applicant must publish notice of the petition in the newspaper for three consecutive weeks, starting at least six weeks before the hearing. The publication requirement may be waived if publication presents a hardship, including but not limited to a negative impact on the applicant’s health or safety. Individuals who have a felony conviction cannot pursue a name change until their sentence is completed or discharged. Individuals required to register under the Sex Offender Registration Act, Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registration Act, Arsonist Registration Act, or any equivalent Acts are permitted to file for a name change while subject to registration only if they file a verified statement that the name change is due to gender-related identity. (735 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 5/21-101 to 5/21-105).

Our Name Change Project also connects low-income transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people in Cook County with legal representation for their name changes. You can complete an application for assistance via our website.

For instructions on legal name changes for minors under 18 in Illinois, see NCTE's Name Changes for Minors in Illinois resource.

Illinois Drivers License Policy & Procedures

Currently, M, F, or X is available on an Illinois ID. To update the gender marker on an Illinois ID the applicant must sign a form attesting to their gender identity, with no medical signature or documentation required.

In order to correct the name and/or gender on an Illinois ID, an applicant must:

1. Visit a Secretary of State facility to turn in your incorrect license
2. Provide acceptable identification for proof of identity
3. If requesting a name change, a document such as a court order demonstrating the name change
4. If requesting a gender marker change, a Gender Designation Change Form signed by the applicant
5. Pay the applicable fee

The Illinois Secretary of State's office addresses name and gender change here.

Illinois Birth Certificate Laws

The Division of Vital Records will update the gender marker on an Illinois birth certificate upon receipt of a form attesting to the person’s gender identity, with no medical signature or documentation required. M, F, or X is available for an Illinois birth certificate.

To apply for an updated birth certificate, an applicant should submit:

1. Affidavit and Certificate of Correction Request, signed in front of a notary
2. To update the name, a certified copy of your court order for name change
3. Copy of a non-expired government-issued photo ID of the applicant
4. Applicable fees ($15 fee includes one certified copy, $2 each additional copy)

Submit application to:

Illinois Department of Health
Division of Vital Records
925 E. Ridgely Avenue
Springfield, IL 62702-2737

If you have additional questions, you can reach the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records at 217-782-6553, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. or via email to [email protected].

Additional information is published here.