Birth Certificates

There's two aspects to changing your birth certificate.

Legally Changing Your Name on Your Birth Certificate

Under Colorado law, your "birth" gender marker will remain UNTIL you have your gender reassignment surgery.

(Note: Currently legislation has been introduced to make it to where you no longer need to have the surgery to get your gender marker changed, however it has NOT YET passed.)

Once you change your name, you will need to apply for a new birth certificate to reflect the correct information.

You can download the application
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/correct-or-change-birth-certificate

fill it out, and send the applicable fee's in and get your new birth certificate in the mail.  You will also need to send a court certified copy of your name change paperwork in with the application.

You can also go to your local Public Health office and take your name change paperwork and get one issued to you on the spot.  You may have to wait behind other customers, so go early if you must! Also take your CURRENT birth certificate with you.  You need to surrender that to the Colorado Public Health Office.  Same principle as not having two driver's licenses.  You will also need your driver's license or state issued photo id with you.

If you have NOT already done a legal name change, you must do this first before changing your name on your birth certificate.  You can see how to do that here.



Changing your Gender Marker on Your Birth Certificate

Changing your gender marker on your birth certificate requires that you have undergone gender reassignment surgery under Colorado State Law.  There's no way around this at this time.

This only applies to citizens born in the state of Colorado.

If you were born in another state, you must follow their guidelines and procedures regarding gender marker changes. Colorado does NOT have the jurisdiction to change another state's birth certificate.

Note: Tennessee, Ohio and Nebraska currently do NOT allow changing your gender marker on your birth certificate.  

https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/gender-changes-due-surgical-procedures

To change your gender marker on your birth certificate, you must have a notarized letter from your surgeon, it must have Name, Title, Practice Address, State License #, and National Provider ID.

You will go to your county court and file

1.) A Motion to Amend Vital Statistics Record (JDF 76 General Motion)
2.) An Order to Amend Vital Statistics Record (JDF 77 General Order)

I will post up some mock filings of both so you can see exactly how they should be. DO NOT SIGN OR DATE the Motion or the Order UNTIL you are in front of the court clerk! He/she MUST witness you sign it in person!

You DO NOT need to hire an attorney to do this.  You can do it on your own.

In Denver County, the fee is $97.
Denver County Courthouse
1437 Bannock St
Denver, CO 80204
Room 135
If you have ANY trouble with any of the clerks, just ask for Julia.  She is the manager and she can help you out and she is a very nice lady.

Fee's and procedures may vary by county. Call your county court clerk if you have any questions as to their procedures and fee's.


You will need to take the following with you.

• Court Motion and Order
• Your State ID or Driver's License
• Birth Certificate (No Photocopies! Must be a State Issued Original)
• Court Certified Copy of your Legal Name Change Paperwork (No Photocopies!)
• I also had the clerk make a copy of my Driver's License and Social Security card, but they may not be necessary.
• Original notarized letter from your surgeon stating that you have had surgery.  

The clerk will make copies of everything and you will give him/her the Motion and Order.  He/she will have you sign and date it in front of them, you will pay the filing fee.  If they can get you in to see the Judge, they will do everything immediately. If they can't, they will set a court date for you to come back.  On the day you come back, you'll be called before the Court, you'll step up to the podium and be sworn, you'll be asked a couple questions, you answer them truthfully and the Judge approves it and signs it and you're done.

You will go back to the court clerk's office, you'll get certified copies (I recommend getting three court certified copies for your records).

Now you take that to the Department of Public Health along with your application and get your new birth certificate.


Mock Up Motion and Order

These mockups are exactly how they should look for the Court.  Do not include the word sample in the background.  This is just to demonstrate this is a sample mockup. The only things you will change are your name, address and phone number. If you live in a different county than different, put the appropriate county and be sure to put the address of your county's court in the appropriate spot.

You are NOT required to submit an email address, it's just on there if you want to add it as a point of contact if they need to get a hold of you.  Under Attorney Party Reg #: Just put: Acting Pro Se.  This means you are representing yourself.  An attorney is NOT required.

Leave the Defendant/Respondent sections on both forms blank.

You can type these out manually in photoshop, on a type writer or simply fill them out with a pen.  DO NOT SIGN AND DATE EITHER ONE until you are in front of the court clerk and have been directed to do so!

Motion (JDF 76)

Order (JDF 77)

Transition

I could literally write all day long about this specific topic as there's so much information that goes into transition.

Transition is the process of moving from one gender to the next.  Trans means "across". Transgender means across genders or to cross genders.

Many people think transition is "HELL".  It can be...but it doesn't have to be.  Every person's transition is different.  It's unique to their experience, their situation and their perspective.  It's all dependent on many other factors such as employment, adequate housing, support system, family, employment, income, and ability to access resources.

Overall, your transition is what YOU make of it.  If you're negative all the time and you don't put in the effort to be the best you can then it's without a doubt that your transition will NOT be a fun time for you.

Yes, there are somethings that will be out of your control.  

• Losing a job.
• Being refused to be hired for a job.
• Being discriminated against.
• Being harassed.
• People make not like you.
• People may not accept you.
• Your family will reject you.

What can you control?

• Your attitude.
• Your outlook on life and your transition.
• Your behavior.
• Your determination to succeed.
• How you look (to an extent).
• How you walk.
• How you talk to other people.
• How you react to other people and situations.
• Don't be a victim all the time. Take accountability for yourself.
• Your anger

What can YOU do to make things easier on yourself for your transition?

• Learn to style your hair or find a stylist that can teach you.
• Get laser hair removal on your face (if you're male to female). Removing that shadow helps.
• Get your eyebrows thinned down and shaped to a feminine style.
• Using side or front bangs when styling hair to hide facial masculinity.
• Find, obtain and retain gainful employment. Steady income helps! Don't skip jobs.
• Do not rely on loans and credit cards. Some to build and maintain your credit are good.
• Keep your debt to income ratio low.
• Stay out of legal trouble (speeding tickets, domestic violence situations, fights, DUI's, etc)
• Build personal relationships, make new friends, and maintain existing family relationships.
• Work with your therapist to learn coping mechanisms to depression, anxiety and volatile situations.
• Work with your therapist to learn trigger recognitions (things that set you off, how to recognize when you're becoming depressed, etc).
• Show up to work on time. Don't make your transgender status a focal point.  Don't talk about it at work (except for your initial coming out).  No one at work cares that you are transgender, they don't care you are having surgery.  You're there to work and contribute.  Leave that stuff at home. Co-workers ARE NOT your friends. 
• If you're male to female, act like a female, look like a female, walk like a female, talk like a female, conduct yourself life a female, behave like a female. (vice versa if you're female to male).  
• Stay busy.  The less time you have to sit around and cry and be depressed, the faster time will go.  Find a hobby (hiking, photography, drawing, web design, programming, bike riding, whatever you are interested and pursue it and get lost in it.  It makes time pass faster).  
• Learn something new to advance your professional development in the workforce.  Get a special license to get you into a new career field to make more money.  Apply yourself. Here in Colorado we have the Workforce Investment Act. It provides $5,000 training for something. Take advantage of it. Use it. Better yourself.  This is what you should be doing during your transition.  Always bettering yourself anyway you can. Go to college, get into college, learn and apply yourself. 
• Steer clear of sex worker trades.  Prostitution leads to drugs, std's and violence.  You are a HUMAN BEING.  Not a piece of meat, not a tranny, not a she-male, not a he-she, or a she-he or any other derogatory terms that bigots come up with. Value yourself.
• Be brave, have courage.  It takes a lot to be yourself.  It won't happen overnight, it takes time to develop. 
• Save your money. Don't blow it on junk. Buy what you need, treat yourself to something nice every once in a while though.
• Be good to yourself!

Transition is a journey.  It can be this awful, horrid, nasty experience...or it can be a beautiful journey in which you learn about who you are, what you're made of and just another obstacle to overcome and move past.  That choice is PURELY up to you and how it turns out depends on the decisions you choose to make.  Transition is what you make of it.  You will only get out of transition, what you put into it.

If you make the effort and do what you're supposed to, you will have a good transition.  If you are a lazy, don't put in the effort and sit around and pout and self-pity, you will not have a good transition.  Only YOU have the power to decide what it will be.  

Checklist

This is a step by step checklist of things you should be doing during your transition and things you will NEED to get done.

1.) Get an evaluation and diagnosis of gender identity disorder from a qualified Psychologist.  Feel free to get a 2nd opinion from another psychologist if you have doubts or concerns or if you feel that something isn't right.

2.) Make the decision to transition or not. It's entirely up to you. No one should ever force you, coerce you or otherwise make you feel as though you have to transition simply because you have a diagnosis of GID or Gender Dysphoria. Many transgender people choose to never go through transition, while many others do.  It's a decision that must be weighed carefully and one that takes maturity and wisdom to make.  Don't be afraid to ask questions and never assume that surgery will be your cure all-end all to your problems, because it won't be.

3.) Seek out and select a gender identity therapist and begin counseling.

4.) Petition the court and change your name legally. Once you have done this you will need to update your drivers license, all debtors, banks, utilities, landlords, all three credit bureaus, the Social Security Administration and any applicable law enforcement departments (i.e. Handgun Carry Permits, business licenses, or other special licenses that you may have).

5.) Choosing when and how to tell your family and friends is a delicate matter and one that must be weighed carefully.  I personally lost nearly 100% of my family and 85% of my friends when I came out. It was emotionally devastating, it hurt but I continued forward, I fought through it and I made it.  It is a heavy emotional burden to lose those you love. Be prepared. You will make new friends. They will become your support system and your family.  Either way you go, the earlier you tell them, the better things will be in the long run.  Delaying the inevitable only delays pain and sorrow. It's my recommendation to tell them once you have made the decision to transition.  They will either accept you or they won't.  Hope for the best but prepare for the worst.  Telling them sooner allows you to move forward quickly and to heal if they reject you.  The sooner you put it behind you and move forward, the better of a person you will be in the long run.  But ALWAYS be receptive to them coming into your life should they have a change of heart as sometimes it takes time for them to change.  Bearing ill will and anger towards them is not good for your heart and emotional well-being.

6.) Seek out transgender support groups and surround yourself with like minded people.  Support groups can be good, but they can also be bad. Be wary, choose carefully and always evaluate everything.  I will discuss transgender support groups in another post.

7.)  After 3 months of GID therapy, discuss going on Hormone Replacement Therapy with yor therapist.  He/she should provide you a transition letter at this point as well as as a letter recommending you for HRT.  HRT can be expensive and I have a post specifically dealing with HRT here.

8.) You should be living full time as a member of the gender you identify with.  You should also be seeking out some form of speech therapy to help you obtain a higher pitch and more feminine sound to your voice.

9.) From the time you decided to begin transition to now, you should be growing your hair out.  Learning how to style your hair, getting it cut/trimmed and highlighted as appropriate should be a focus point.  This will go a LONG ways towards you being passable.  Front and side bangs reduce masculinity of the face.  Especially if you have a pronounced brow bone and dark shadows under your eyes.  Find a transgender friendly hair stylist and experiment with different styles, layers, bangs, where you part your hair.  Getting a blow dryer and a flat iron will help very much.  Hair ties, pins and other hair instruments can help you to achieve the look you want.  Be open to constructive criticism from cisgender women, they know hair very well and can help you tremendously.

10.)  At the same time, you should be learning makeup techniques.  Blending can reduce masculinity in the face.  As can contouring.  Difficult to learn on your own, but if you can find someone that is skilled, they can teach you.  Don't over do the mascara or the eye shadow.  Raccoon eyes do NOT look good.  Blending techniques will help the eyes.  There are certain creams that can lighten the areas under the eyes too.

11.)  You should be employed, and whilst employment is difficult for transgender people, here in Colorado it is against the law for them to discriminate against you on the basis of religion, ethnicity, race, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.  You are legally protected here.  However, Colorado is also a right to work state, and that makes it easier to terminate someone for anything at anytime.  So keep that in mind.  I have a post about Employment here.

12.)  Currently, Colorado has a marketplace for insurance plans.  Those plans fall under the guidelines of the ACA (Affordable Care Act).  Additionally, they also MUST follow Colorado guidelines.  Here in Colorado, all insurers selling on the market are required to offer insurance to transgender individuals that cover gender reassignment surgery.  The plan will specify CO-DOI on the marketplace when you buy it and it will also show up on your insurance card.  This designates that they are subject to Colorado laws.  On 01/24/2017, Cigna approved my gender reassignment surgery.  They denied my breast augmentation as cosmetic.  I believe that under Colorado Law, they discriminated, so I am going through the appeals process with that.  Their own policies state that if you are on hormones for 12 months and have had no significant breast development, then it may be covered.  But the gender reassignment surgery was the important one.  I had my surgery in February of 2017.  I opted to cover the breast augmentation so I didn't have to go back for another surgery and pay more hospital and anesthesia fees.  The plan I had was the Colorado HSA Bronze 5500.

There's a lot of unknowns at this point with the political climate as to whether these surgeries will continue to be covered or not after 2017 ends.  Currently ALL Colorado insurance contracts are guaranteed until Dec 31, 2017.  If you're lucky to have gotten insurance and have a surgery date scheduled prior to the end of the year, be very thankful that you were fortunate to get it covered and completed.  Come January 1st, 2018, all bets are off.  I will closely be following what the Trump Administration does with it's proposal for their healthcare package, and as of yet I can NOT find anything that includes transgender surgeries being covered in their proposal, which is truly sad.  I will have a post specifically on Insurance at a later date.

13.) Living small, spending lightly and saving money should be your primary goals.  Most bottom surgeries done in the USA cost about $22,000.  That's with anesthesia, hospital fees and the procedure itself.  If you are getting breast augmentation done, you can figure in another $5000-$6000.  If you choose to get it done separately at another date, you can figure on paying anesthesia fees and hospital fees on top of that $5,000-$6,000 which can push the costs to $10,000-$12,000 easily just for a breast augmentation.  So keep that in mind.  It's better to get them done at the same time and save thousands than to do them separately if possible.

14.)  Having surgery is one of your last steps.  You should be mentally and emotionally prepared for your surgery.  You should have paid your deposit, have airfare and hotel (if applicable) and you should have someone going with you to help out because you are going to need all the help you can get.  You will also need money for food, beverages (sprite and water), depends (pullups), bed pads and wet wipes. I have a complete list of supplies here.

15.)  The final step if you are fortunate to be born in a state where you can change your gender marker on your birth certificate (Colorado is one of those states thankfully!) is to petition the court by filing a motion to amend your vital records, and get the Order signed by the Judge.  Then you go over to the Dept of Vital Statistics and take your Court Order and get your new birth certificate.


There's minor nuances I've left out of this checklist, but they should all be pretty obvious or are relatively unimportant.  I've covered all the important ones.

Hormones

Hormone Replacement Therapy is a very complex issues.  I am largely uneducated on the various options available for transgender individuals.  As a male to female transgender that is a disabled veteran, my options were very limited to Spironolactone and to either Estradiol or Primarin.  Had I known what I know today, I'd have gone with EV injections and no spiro.

Spiro is known to cause obesity as well as retarding natural breast development.


There is some extremely valuable information here on HRT.  I suggest joining the group and reading the posts and doing the research.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/

These are just some of the articles and discussions going on in the group.

HRT by injection: the safest and most effective known method of HRT. https://www.facebook.com/notes/beverly-cosgrove/injection-of-hormones-for-mtf-transsexuals/1467149510263529
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Estrogens: their properties, costs, risks and administration methods (Chart/Table) https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/648500925313367/
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The top 12 myths about injections. https://www.facebook.com/notes/beverly-cosgrove/the-top-twelve-myths-about-injections-for-mtf-transsexuals/1467148636930283
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What your endocrinologist may not know about MTF hormone therapy. https://www.facebook.com/notes/beverly-cosgrove/what-your-endocrinologist-may-not-know-about-mtf-hormone-treatment/1467148946930252
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What Went Wrong with MTF Hormonal Therapy? An editorial explaining how misjudgement of medical risks, combined with commercial pharma company inertia, got us into this situation. https://www.facebook.com/notes/beverly-cosgrove/what-went-wrong-with-mtf-hormonal-therapy/1664665833845228/
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Obtaining supplies- A quick startup guide if you want to start injections. https://www.facebook.com/notes/beverly-cosgrove/a-quick-startup-to-self-injection-1-obtaining-supplies/1417308518580962
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RUTIN to prevent thrombosis, the most serious complication of HRT. You should be taking this supplement!. https://www.facebook.com/notes/beverly-cosgrove/rutin-for-prevention-of-thrombosis-in-mtf-transsexual-hormone-therapy/1632650463713432
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Standard Female blood test ranges. https://www.facebook.com/notes/beverly-cosgrove/standard-female-blood-test-ranges/1467151886929958
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MTF Lactation, some personal experiences. https://www.facebook.com/notes/beverly-cosgrove/mtf-ts-lactation-some-notes-and-experiences/1467152523596561
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The Banning of the hormone pill Diane-35. https://www.facebook.com/notes/beverly-cosgrove/the-banning-of-the-antiandrogen-androcur/1467151580263322
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Biological basis of transgenderism, a summary of current research. https://www.facebook.com/notes/beverly-cosgrove/biologic-basis-for-transgenderism-a-summary-of-current-research/1474673866177760
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Pseudo-hypothyroid effects of estrogen dominance and how to beat it. https://www.facebook.com/notes/beverly-cosgrove/pseudo-hypothyroid-effects-of-estrogen-dominance-and-how-to-beat-them/1476220749356405
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==========PART TWO=============
Key posts in Trans HRT Hormone Forum
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Frequently Asked Questions. Check this list for your question. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/669227986573994/
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Endocrinologist and prescribing physician referrals. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/733771066786352/
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Ordering from InHousePharmacy is easier now that they accept Bitcoin. Here is how to do it. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/654791418017651/
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A large study confirms HRT for transsexuals is largely safe, with a small risk of thrombosis. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/594766634020130/
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Rutin - take this inexpensive OTC supplement to reduce your risks of thrombosis from HRT.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/594904950672965/
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Do you need your HRT from the VA? Veterans should read this thread.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/583664975130296/
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Need a therapist, to get a prescription for hormones? Use this database. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/533200080176786/
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You can order your own blood tests online. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/699911406838985/
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Subcutaneous injection of estradiol gives similar results as IM injection.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/541375062692621/
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Subcutaneous injection of hormones: Beverly's videos and info
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/559790994184361/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/561877007309093/
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Buying hormones online. Links to online pharmacies. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/300718620091601/
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One of Beverly's videos of her doing her own injection. https://youtu.be/7R9ZtCF6CRA
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Estrasorb is a transdermal drying estradiol cream which is applied to the legs daily. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/695600533936739/
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Achieve injection-like levels of Estradiol by using your pills as suppositories. Read this if your country prevents you from getting injections. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/697695437060582/
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Estradiol Cypionate, the OTHER injectable estradiol. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/498111597018968/
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Opening and storing 1ml glass ampules of Estradiol Valerate such as those received from online pharmacies. (VIDEO included.) https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/480741035422691/
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Alcohol has effects on your HRT. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/686105658219560/
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Stretching your injectable hormone budget. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/488835101279951/
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Samantha suffered alternating crippling depression and painful headache. The right injection method, dose, and schedule solved her problem. Case study. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/658663280963798/
Followup, with a deep discussion of bioidentical hormone safety. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/693172747512851/
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5000 members in our HRT group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/675818705914922/
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Beverly's deterioration when forced to switch from injections to patch is a grim reminder of how weak patches are. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/667072213456238/
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Many MTF transsexuals have the "female digit ratio" characteristic. Do you? https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/301371853359611/
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Ordering from InhousePharmacy https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/300741980089265/
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Progesterone (the real, bioidentical kind), when added to HRT, actually reduces risks. Trans women should be taking bioidentical progesterone. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/742911022539023/
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Pregnenolone, an often-overlooked hormone booster, as part of HRT https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/319504131546383/
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Phenokinon-F and Duoton Fort are long acting birth controls containing mostly progesterone and are NOT suitable for trans women transition. https://www.facebook.com/…/Trans…/permalink/582948215201972/
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Why you should NOT consider estradiol pills suitable for a lifelong regimen. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/514459445384183/
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Finasteride (and Dutasteride) are DANGEROUS and unnecessary for MTF HRT uses! https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/723241131172679/
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Research shows that progestins (such as Medroxyprogesterone, aka Provera) cause depression. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/664533440376782/
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Current injectable drug prices, with discount (will be kept updated) https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/698043050359154/
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What's wrong with Spironolactone? https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/578035519026575/
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Spironolactone is NOT needed to suppress testosterone if you use the right estradiol therapy. Medical studies linked. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/745365635626895/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/749079735255485/
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Spironolactone may interfere with breast growth.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/572059082957552/
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Safe hair regrowth method for mtf transsexuals. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/496133653883429/
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Transsexual HRT is in general safe, with the primary risk being that of venous thromboembolism due to certain sources of estrogen. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/594766634020130/
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Supplementing estrogen in menopause may be essential to avoid crippling cognitive deterioration. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/655794957917297/
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Recent studies show that supplementing with bioidentical estradiol (instead of Premarin) does NOT cause mental decline in old age, disproving a prevalent belief of doctors who were told the opposite by the drug companies selling Premarin and similar drugs. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/649523718544421/
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Do-it-yourself is the FOURTH BEST option for HRT. Here are the others.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/682327548597371/
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Are you in Australia? A member shows us how you can arrange to get estradiol by injection in Australia.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TransHRT/permalink/682994658530660/
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==========PART THREE================================
Medical Articles of interest to transsexuals from elsewhere on the Internet.
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A Summary of the benefits of progesterone (from a commercial site.)
http://www.lef.org/magaz…/2006/4/report_progesterone/Page-01

Gender Markers

This will explain how to change your gender marker with the Drivers License Bureau from your birth gender to that of the gender in which you identity, as well as the V.A. Medical Center, the Social Security Administration and on your US State Department Passport.

You do NOT need to have had gender reassignment surgery to change the gender marker on your driver's license.


State of Colorado Driver's License Bureau

Change of Sex Designation on Colorado Drivers License or ID Card November, 2006 Instructions for Applicants:

1. If you previously had your sex designation changed on your Colorado driver's license or identification card, using a letter from your physician or mental health care provider, you are grand fathered and no further action is necessary to maintain your current sex designation.

2. You must request an original form DR2083, Medical Information Authorization for Change of Sex Designation, in person at a Colorado DMV office. Copies or facsimiles of form DR2083 will not be accepted. Legibly print your name, the number from your current driver's license or identification card, the date, your address and your previous name, if changing your name concurrently. Please sign and date the form, authorizing your physician to provide medical information in support of your application.

3. Form DR2083 must be completed and signed by a Colorado licensed physician. He or she should state your gender on the basis of your gender identity and full time gender role expression or on prior completion of medical sex reassignment. Medical information provided to the DMV will be held in strictest confidence per Colorado Revised Statute 42-2-121 and the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act, section 2721.

4. Bring the completed form DR2083 to a DMV office with your current driver's license or identification card and renewal fee. A new photo will be taken, and you will be issued a temporary driver's license or identification document and asked to review it for correctness. Your new driver's license or ID card will be mailed to you.

You can download the form here to print and take to your physician:
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/DR2083.pdf

Instructions for Physicians:

1. Form DR2083 authorizes you to provide medical information in support of application for change of sex designation on a Colorado driver's license or identification card. You must be a medical doctor licensed in the state of Colorado.

2. Please complete and sign the form, and include your Colorado medical license number. Based on your professional judgment, the patient's gender identity, his/her full time gender role expression, or on prior completion of medical sex reassignment, state your patient's gender, as it should appear on his/her driver's license or ID card.

3. Return the completed form to your patient.


Social Security Administration

Once you have had a legal name change, you need to take your Name change paperwork to the Social Security Administration and change your name. (Please note: You are NOT required to have had a gender reassignment surgery to change your gender marker with the SSA, only a letter from a professional stating that you are transitioning).

To change your gender on Social Security's records:
https://faq.ssa.gov/link/portal/34011/34019/Article/2856/How-do-I-change-my-gender-on-Social-Security-s-records

Step 1: Gather documents proving your Identity:

We can accept only certain documents as proof of identity. An acceptable document must be current (not expired) and show your name, identifying information (date of birth or age) and, preferably, a recent photograph. For example, as proof of identity Social Security must see your

• U.S. driver's license;
• State-issued non-driver identification card; or
• U.S. passport.

If you don’t have one of these specific documents, or you can’t get a replacement for one of them within 10 days, we’ll ask to see other documents, including

• Employee identification card;
• School identification card;
• Health insurance card (not a Medicare card); or
• U.S. military identification card.
• Gender

We’ll need to see a

• Full-validity, 10-year U.S. passport showing the new gender;
• State-issued amended birth certificate showing the new gender;
• Court order directing legal recognition of change of gender; or
• Medical certification of appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition in the form of an original letter from a licensed physician.

The document must have enough biographical data (e.g., name and date of birth) to clearly identify you.

• U.S. citizenship

If you haven’t established your citizenship with us, and you were born in the US, we need to see proof of U.S citizenship. We can only accept certain documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. These documents include

• U.S. birth certificate; or
• U.S. passport.

If you haven’t established your citizenship with us, and you are foreign-born, we need to see proof of U.S. citizenship. We can only accept certain documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. These documents include:

• U.S. passport
• Certificate of Naturalization (N-550/N-570)
• Certificate of Citizenship (N-560/N-561)
• Certification of Report of Birth (DS-1350)
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240), CRBA

Immigration status (if you aren’t a U.S. citizen).

To prove your U.S. immigration status, you must show us your

• Current U.S. immigration document, such as Form I-551 (Lawful Permanent Resident Card, Machine Readable Immigrant Visa) with your unexpired foreign passport;
• I-766 (Employment Authorization Document, EAD, work permit); or
• I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) or admission stamp in the unexpired foreign passport.

If you’re an F-1 or M-1 student, you also must show us your I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status).

If you’re a J-1 or J-2 exchange visitor, you must show us your DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status).


Step 2: Complete an Application for a Social Security Card.


Step 3: Take or mail your completed application and documents to your local Social Security office or your local Social Security Card Center.

All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We can’t accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. We’ll return any documents you mail to us, along with a receipt.



Passports

Getting a passport has changed from what it used to be.  Used to be you could get your 10 year passport with a transition letter, now you can get a 2 year passport with a letter.  I believe you can renew every 2 years if you aren't able to get surgery within that time frame.  Once you have your surgery, you can take your surgeon's letter and update your info and they will give you a 10 year for no extra cost.

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/information/gender.html

Click here to get a form DS-11 to apply for your initial passport.  Fees will apply.


Click here to get a form DS-5504 to update identifying information. No Fees apply if submitted within 2 years.



Veteran's Administration Hospital
The link below is the paperwork and process on how to change your name, SSN and gender marker with the V.A. Health System.  It is ONLY for Colorado.  It is not for other states.

Eastern Colorado Health Care System - Gender Marker Change Paperwork

Based on my personal experience, do NOT submit your Social Security card as a form of verification/identification.  My application was rejected for 5 weeks (and no one told that was why it was rejected either).  I know it says it's accepted, but don't do it.  Use other forms listed.

Make sure you have a gender transition letter with your form(s) of ID (see below for acceptable forms of ID) and submit them along with your application from the link provided above.

The completed forms can be either dropped off in person to either the

Release of Information customer service booth (ER check-in area, booth C), to one of the CBOCs to forward to my office. or directly to the office, 

Lesley Peterson

Rm. BA117 

Basement Level of the Main V.A. Hospital Building in Denver.

Faxed to 303.393.4631 Attn: Privacy; 

or mailed to:

Eastern Colorado Health Care System
Attn: Privacy (00A)
1055 Clermont St.
Denver, CO 80231

If you have any questions about this form or process, please contact the FOIA/Privacy Officer Lesley Peterson at 303.399.8020 ext. 2082.

Name Change

This post will cover Name Changes in the State of Colorad.  (Please note state agency procedures are ONLY for the state of Colorado.  Please refer to your state laws and procedures if you reside in another state.)

Colorado Name Change
When you begin transition, this is one of the FIRST things that you should do upon receiving a diagnosis of gender identity disorder/gender dysphoria.

http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/colorado?app=00075&view=full&interface=1&docinfo=off&searchtype=get&search=C.R.S.+13-15-101

http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/colorado?app=00075&view=full&interface=1&docinfo=off&searchtype=get&search=C.R.S.+13-15-102

The court requires a fingerprint - based criminal history record check, from both the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) , be conducted within 90 days prior to filing the petition.

Fingerprinting You must submit a criminal history check from the FBI and CBI at the time the petition is filed . Here’s how to get those done : • Contact your local law enforcement office to be fingerprinted . Be sure to inquire about the cost of finger printing and fingerprint cards.

FBI Background Check Application

https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks

FBI Standard Fingerprint Card

https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/standard-fingerprint-form-fd-258-1.pdf

Do not submit personal checks, business checks or cash as a form of payment.

CBI Background Check

https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cbi/employment-background-checks# (Scroll down to Legal Name Change)

Please do not submit your fingerprint card to CBI for processing until you have received your results from the fingerprint check though the FBI.  Please check with the FBI for their current processing date.  The response letter from FBI & CBI are only good for 90 days (court rules) and if you have not received the FBI response and your Colorado letter expires, you will need to submit another fingerprint card and fee to CBI and receive a new letter. Currently CBI is processing a fingerprint card in less than 2 weeks.

NOTE - CBI does not have an additional form for porcessing.  All information needed is on the comleted fingeprint card.

FEE: $16.50 - Colorado fingerprint based Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) search For an individual or private agency. Nationwide (FBI) checks must be submitted directly to the FBI by the individual(s). Use the FBI link on the navigation bar on the left side of the web page for information about how to request a background search through the FBI.

Fingerprint based Criminal History Record Information search:

Type information or print legibly in BLACK ink.

All fingerprint CHRI search cards must be filled out completely with the following information in the corresponding fields:

• Name, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Sex, Race, Height, Weight, Eyes, Hair (Please use 3 letters abbreviations for eyes and hair – Ex: Brown = Bro, Blue = Blu)
• CTZ - Fee (Amount listed at the top of the page) must be paid by Money Order or other Certified Funds Check. (Make check payable to Colorado Bureau of Investigation.) Personal checks are not accepted.
• OCA – CONCJ3975
• Employer and Address - Complete mailing address of either the Petitioner or the Petitioner’s Attorney. Do not list place of employment. unless you want the response mailed to your employer *** See Additional Information
• Reason Fingerprinted - Legal Name Change CRS 13-15-101

If any of the above information is missing or incomplete, the request will be returned.

*** Additional Information: Per CRS 13-15-101 “for persons fourteen years of age or older, the results of certified fingerprint-based criminal history record checks are conducted.”

"You will see a box labeled “Reason Fingerprinted” on the card in the upper left hand corner. Make sure to complete that box with the following : “ §13-15-101 Legal Name Change” 

You can also contact customer service at 303 - 239 - 4208. 

Mail (or deliver) the above items to the CBI at: 

Colorado Bureau of Investigation 

690 Kipling Street Suite 3000 

Lakewood , CO 80215

Colorado Name Change Form 

https://www.courts.state.co.us/Forms/PDF/JDF%20432%20Instructions%20for%20Name%20Change%20-%20Adult%20R8-2016%20(FINAL).pdf

Court Motion JD 432 for Legal Name Change: Age 18-69 (This is the petition you file with the court)

JDF 432 - Instructions for Filing a Change of Name - Adult

JDF 426 - Order For Publication for Change of Name (This is the Order the Judge will sign)

https://www.courts.state.co.us/Forms/PDF/JDF%20426%20Order%20for%20Publication%20for%20Change%20of%20NameR8-2016.pdf

JDF 448 - Final Decree for Change of Name

https://www.courts.state.co.us/Forms/PDF/JDF%20448-Final%20Decree%20for%20Change%20of%20Name.R7-11.pdf

(I will have some completed examples filled out in a week or so to show how these should be filled out prior to submitting them to the Court). 

•If necessary, please write your name, home address, and date of birth clearly on the fingerprint card . If the agency completing the fingerprints uses an electronic print system, please do not write on the cards as the agency will automatically input the information .

Timing for Background Checks Best practice : 

• First, call the FBI to see how long their processing is taking . 

• Second, approximately one week before the FBI is expected to be done, submit the CBI background check. 

Remember: The criminal history results must be conducted within 90 days prior to the filing of the petition.

FBI Information The FBI requires: 

1. Criminal History application form I - 783.

2. Completed finger print card. 

3. Payment (money order, certified check, or credit card).

If paying by credit card use form I-786 Instructions and information are located here . 

You can also contact customer service at 304 - 625 - 5590. 

Mail the above items to the FBI at :

Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division 

Attn : SCU, Mod. D - 2 

1000 Custer Hollow Road 

Clarksburg , WV 26306

Veterans

If you are a veteran or disabled veteran that has been discharged from military service with a general discharge or an honorable discharge and you are transgender, you may be eligible for services under the VHA Transgender Directive 2013-003.

https://www.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=2863

This directive WILL cover hormone replacement therapy, gender identity therapy, speech therapy to teach you to change the pitch of your voice as well as basic health care.  '

If you have a dishonorable discharge, you are NOT eligible for V.A. Benefits of ANY sorts.  If you have an other than honorable discharge, you may have limitations to your benefits.  Please seek the counsel of a patient advocate at the V.A. Hospital if you need further clarification.

The first step you MUST take is upon discharge from the military, you must go to your nearest V.A. Hospital and register.  Once you have registered, you need to file a claim for disability (if you have service-connected injuries and disabilities from your time in the service).  If you are retired and did 20 - 30 years of service, you may not need to file for disability depending on your situation, but since you gave a life of service you are entitled to free healthcare through the V.A. Medical System and all you need to do is simply get registered.

For disabled veterans, once you have submitted a claim for disability, you will be evaluated and then a decision will be made regarding your disability and a percentage rating will be assigned to you.  It can be anywhere from 10% too 100%.  All you need is 10% to get medical care through the V.A.

After that, you will be assigned a primary care provider (PCP).  Get an appointment with your PCP (sometimes, this takes a lot of time to get that first appointment).  When you meet with him/her, request a consult to Mental Health.  Explain that you are transgender and you need to see someone.

The V.A. does NOT have gender identity therapists on hand.  When you get the referral consult, you need to tell the person you see, you are transgender, you want a Pay Fee's/Fee Basis referral to an outside provider.  They MUST provide this to you under the directive referenced above.  It may take several weeks to get that referral.  YOU are responsible for calling around to local gender identity therapists and asking them if they will take Veterans Administration payments.  Once you have located one that will take Veterans Administration payments, notify the Pay Fee's/Fee Basis office and provide their contact name and information so they can get everything set up for you.

Once you have been seeing a GID therapist for at least 3 months, you need to get a letter from him/her recommending you for hormone replacement therapy.  It should follow the WPATH Guidelines.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/amo_hub_content/Association140/files/Standards%20of%20Care%20V7%20-%202011%20WPATH%20(2)(1).pdf

You will then need to make an appointment with your PCP and request a consult to Endocrinology to begin hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

If you feel inclined and feel that you need speech therapy to raise the pitch of your voice, also request a consult to Speech and Audiology.

The V.A. will NOT pay for gender reassignment surgery. They will NOT pay for laser hair removal or electrolysis (electrical hair removal).  They will NOT pay for facial feminization surgery.  They will NOT pay for breast augmentation, mastectomy or any other cosmetic procedures.

For Active Duty Personnel

The military IS paying for sex-change operations for active duty personnel ONLY, at this time.  This policy went into effect on October 1st, 2016.

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/09/21/pentagon-pay-for-some-sex-change-operations-transgender-troops.html



Update Your Military Form DD 214 to Reflect Your New Name

If you have military service prior to your transition, you can follow the process below to update your legal name to be reflected on your military discharge papers (Form DD 214).  Having the wrong (previous) name on your outs you as transgender and can a lot of anxiety, depression and harm to finding gainful employment.

Below is the entire process on how to apply to get your name updated.

Form DD0149 (This is your application to update Military Records)
Social Injustice Statement (Input name, sign, change date and attach to your application)
2015 Board Decision (Attach to your application)

http://www.transequality.org/know-your-rights/military-records

You can create an account, apply here and upload all of your documents.
http://arba.army.pentagon.mil/online-application.cfm

Welcome

Welcome to the Colorado Transgender Information Center.  As a transwoman that has recently gone through the process of transition and having my gender reassignment surgery, I've decided to make a blog to help other transwomen and transmen with their processes.

I'm a bit limited in knowledge on the side of transgender men, but I know many of the legal processes for both.  This blog will be full of resources, personal experience and perspective writings as well as current events and legislation at both the state level for Colorado as well as the Federal level.

If you have any questions whatsoever, please feel free to contact me at transgenderinfocolorado@gmail.com and I will try to answer your questions the best I can or at least refer you to someone that can get you the correct and accurate information.

You can also find us on Facebook at:

https://www.facebook.com/Colorado-Transgender-Information-Center-291572214616250/

on Twitter! @COTRANSINFO

on Instagram. @COTRANSINFO
https://www.instagram.com/cotransinfo/

Regards,

Transgender Info of Colorado