How do we reclaim our imagination from what the prison industrial complex has forced us into thinking are the only solutions that we have?
— Shira Hassan
Gender-Affirming
Legal Services
NAME AND GENDER MARKER CHANGES
Our legal team currently provides free legal representation in name and gender marker change proceedings for adults and minors.
Cook County Support:
Direct representation for adult and minor name changes.
Direct representation for adult and minor gender marker change hearings for those born in states that require a court order for a gender marker change on a birth certificate.
Direct representation for adult and minor gender marker change hearings for individuals seeking a gender marker change for international document changes.
In-person post-hearing support to assist with ID document changes, including in-person support at the DMV and notary services for identity document applications (i.e., passport, social security, driver’s licenses, IDs, birth certificate applications).
Non-Cook Support:
Pro se support for adult and minor name changes. Including assistance with filing and preparing for the hearing.
Pro se support for adult and minor gender marker changes for individuals born in states that require a court order for a birth certificate change or for international document changes. (see NOTE above).
Direct representation for more complex name and gender marker change cases in counties that allow for virtual hearings.
NOTE: Some states and countries have a complete ban on gender marker changes on birth certificates and other documents. Fill out an intake for virtual assistance available to all Illinois residents, or come to one of our in-person Name Change Mobilizations for Cook County residents.