Having identification that matches your name and gender identity is important for your dignity, health, privacy, safety, and economic security. Accurate IDs help you access important rights and services like employment, education, healthcare, housing, travel, and voting. When your IDs differ from how others see you, it can lead to harassment and violence.
Updating your name or gender marker on your IDs can help your legal identity match who you are. However, laws can change quickly, so it’s good to stay informed. Here’s a guide to your rights and how to update your IDs in Alaska.
The following information is guidance and should not be taken as direct legal advice.
Name change guide for minors
Alaska has outlined the process for minors to change their names here. We’ve summarized it below.
- The petition to change a child’s name must be filed by an adult on the child’s behalf. An adult should fill out a Petition to Change Child’s Name (CIV-694) form to initiate the process.
- The parent should fill out the Application for Legal Name Change (VS-405) form. Fill in items 1 through 7. Sign and date the form where it asks for the applicant’s signature and date. The court clerk will fill in items 8 through 11, and also sign and date the bottom of the form
- If the child has two legal parents, both must agree to the name change. Fill out the Parental Consent from Non-Petitioning Parent (CIV-695) form and have the other parent sign it in front of a notary public or court clerk. The other parent will need to bring a photo ID for the notarization.
Safety note: If you have concerns about the personal safety of the child if the proposed name change is posted publicly, you can ask the court to waive posting (that is, not require that it be posted). Fill out Request to Waive Posting in Child’s Change of Name Case (CIV-709) and attach it to your petition when you file the case. You should request that your proceeding be filed under seal, stating you have concerns for the youth’s safety due to their gender identity.
- Make copies of all paperwork.
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File in court. File the paperwork in the Alaska Superior Court nearest where the child lives. The court will charge a filing fee (currently $200). If you are able, paying the filing fee will make the process faster. You may apply for a fee waiver, but the authorization can take more time.
The court clerk will give or mail to you an Order for Hearing, Posting, and Additional Service (form CIV-701). This order will tell you the date of your hearing. The hearing date must take place at least 40 days after the date of the order.
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The hearing is usually short and fairly informal. The judge will usually first make sure that any required notices and consents are done. Then, tell the judge why you want to change the child's name. If the child is old enough, the judge will ask the child about the name change.
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Once the name change is granted, take your completed forms signed by the judge to the Social Security Administration and the Office of Vital Statistics. State that the minor's information was filed under seal, and you would like to have the amendments not reflected. State you understand this will need to go through the judicial review.
Name change guide for adults
- Fill out forms. The adult wishing to change their name should fill out the Petition for Name Change (CIV-700) form.
- Fill out forms. The adult wishing to change their name should fill out Application for Legal Name Change (VS-405) form.
- Make copies of all your forms.
Safety note: If you have concerns about your personal safety if the proposed name change is posted publicly, you can ask the court to waive posting (that is, not require that it be posted). Fill out Request to Waive Posting in Adult Change of Name Case (CIV-708) and attach it to your petition when you file the case. You should request that your proceeding be filed under seal, stating you have concerns for your safety due to gender identity.
- Make copies of all your forms.
- File in court. File the paperwork in the Alaska Superior Court nearest where you live. The court will charge a filing fee (currently $200). If you are able, paying the filing fee will make the process faster. You may apply for a fee waiver, but the authorization can take more time.
The court clerk will give or mail to you an Order for Hearing, Posting, and Additional Service (form CIV-701). This order will tell you the date of your hearing. The hearing date must take place at least 40 days after the date of the order.
- The hearing is usually short and fairly informal. The judge will usually first make sure that any required notices and consents were done. Then, tell the judge why you want to change your name.
- The hearing is usually short and fairly informal. The judge will usually first make sure that any required notices and consents were done. Then, tell the judge why you want to change your name.
- Update your records. After changing your name, there are several records you will need to change:
- Social Security. To avoid tax problems and help assure proper employment credit, you should notify the Social Security Administration of your name change. Toll free telephone number: 1-800-772-1213.
- Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If you have an Alaska driver's license or you own a vehicle registered in Alaska, you must send written notice of your name change to the Division of Motor Vehicles within 30 days. 1 It is very important that you do this; you could receive a citation and have to pay a fine, or even be charged with a crime under certain circumstances, if you fail to do this. Contact a DMV office to find out how the division wants to receive written notice. To get a new driver's license or Alaska ID card, go to a DMV office and present a certified copy of the Certificate of Name Change (form CIV-705).
- Vital Records. If you want a new birth certificate, contact the Vital Records office of the state in which you were born and pay any required fee.
- Other records you may want to update include: Bank accounts, credit cards, PayPal/Cashapp/Venmo; Insurance, Doctor’s offices and medical records; Jobs, Rental agreements;. Car/Vehicle information; Utilities; Voter Registration (you can do this by checking a box on the ID form); Cell Phone;. Professional Organizations; Passport.
Updating a gender marker for adults and minors
The critical legal documents you should officially change with an updated gender marker are your birth certificate and Alaska Driver’s License or ID card.
- Updating a gender marker on a birth certificate: Upon receipt of a court order for name change and/or a for gender transition, the Alaska Department of Vital Records will issue an "amended" birth certificate with the new name and gender marker listed. They will not issue a new birth certificate replacing the original. The information that was changed will be noted on the bottom of the document.
To apply for an amended birth certificate the applicant should submit:- An Alaska Birth Certificate Request Form
- A photocopy of the ID of the registrant (or the parent or guardian requesting the change on behalf of a minor)
- To update the name, a certified copy of the Certificate of Name Change or other court order.
- To update the gender marker, a letter (such as this gender marker change template) from a physician, social worker, psychologist, professional counselor, physician assistant, or advanced nurse practitioner; OR a certified copy of a court ordered change of sex.
- Fee ($60 for the amendment fee and one certified copy)
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Submit the application to this address:
Alaska Vital Records Office
Attn: Corrections
PO Box 110675
Juneau, AK 99811-0675
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Updating a gender marker on and ID: In order to update the gender on an Alaska ID, the applicant must submit a Certification for Change of Sex Designator filled out and signed by themselves and by their medical provider or other qualified professional. This must be submitted in person at a DMV location.
If you need assistance filling out forms or understanding the process, we encourage you to reach out to our partners at Identity, Inc. Identity offers a Legal Support Group. Please reach out to the clinic at [email protected] or 907-865-3247 for more information.
