Legal transition is the process of pursuing a name and/or gender marker change on vital documents, so that trans people can legally use the name and gender marker with which they identify when it comes to things like banking, government business, education, healthcare, and their career.

Not having congruent documents can be a source of distress–an ID that no longer matches may out someone at a job interview or traffic stop, result in dangerous situations if they’re detained by police, or cause them to have to use/see their previous name/gender more frequently than they’re comfortable with.

Please see our other guides on name changes and gender marker changes for more information, including state-specific policies and procedures.

In most cases, both parents will need to legally consent to a name change, medical treatment, and more.

Back to Parents of Trans Youth