New Mexico

ID Documents Center

Welcome to our one-stop hub for name and gender change information. Find out how to update your name and gender on state and federal IDs and records.

COVID-19 disruptions: Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many courts and government offices have made significant changes to their operating procedures. This may cause delays in the processing of your name or gender marker change requests as a result. Contact your local court or other government offices for more details. You should keep dated copies of any materials you submit by mail or electronically. We understand this is a hardship for many, and we encourage you to reach out for support if you are distressed.

Not sure where to start? Here's a quick overview.

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Last updated February 2023

Name Change, Driver's License & Birth Certificate Policies in:

Federal IDs and Records:

New Mexico Name Change Laws

To obtain a legal name change in New Mexico, an applicant must submit a petition to the court. Before filing the petition, the applicant must publish notice of the petition at least once a week for two weeks; the publication requirement can be waived for the applicant’s safety. (N.M. Stat. Ann. §§ 40-8-1 to 40-8-3).

To help guide applicants through the process a New Mexico Name and Gender Change Guide is available in English and Spanish, brought to you by the Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico, the National Center for Transgender Equality, and Cooley LLP.

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

New Mexico Drivers License Policy & Procedures

In order to update name and/or gender on a New Mexico ID, the applicant must submit

A "Request for Sex Designation Change" form, indicating male, female, or undesignated (X).
A court order certifying the name change

New Mexico Birth Certificate Laws

The New Mexico Department of Vital Records will issue an amended birth certificate upon receipt of

the appropriate signed and notarized "Request to Change Gender Designation on a Birth Certificate" form,
if a name change is requested, submit a certified copy of the name change order, and
with any applicable fees. .

N.M. Stat. §§ 24-14-25.

For minors, applications must be submitted by a parent(s) or legal guardian on the minor's behalf. Minors ages 14-17 must also submit a consent form along with the application.