Loading

Updates to Gender

---

A gender update is usually associated with a name change and the documentation is similar.  In Indiana these requirements are:

• Providing a Change in Name, Date of Birth, or Gender.
  
  

  Generally your state of legal residence has authority regarding your status. There are remedies for amending your name and or gender available through medical procedure documentation and court decisions. To avoid frustration you should seek changes at your state level first.   If you need additional assistance, we recommend you contact either the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Student Support Services Office at Bloomington or the Student Advocates Office.

  If your current legal name is different from the name on your birth certificate or lawful status document, you must show legal proof of the name change (showing a link to all name changes).



• Acceptable documents supporting a change include:
  
  
  • Marriage license
  • Divorce decree
  • Court order approving a change of legal name or date of birth
  • Amended birth certificate showing a change of gender
  • Physician’s signed and dated statement that "(your name) successfully underwent all treatment necessary to permanently change (your name)'s gender from (previous gender) to (new gender)."


• Must I choose male or female as my gender designation?
  
  

  Yes. Federal reporting requirements only provide for male or female. Unknown is not an acceptable choice and you will be asked to make a decision. Discussions have begun at the federal, state (Indiana) and university wide level to recognize and add a transgender designation. This is a lengthy process; don’t expect to see it as an option during your IU career.



• I need to make identity changes and I am a resident of Indiana.
  
  

  If you are a resident of Indiana the Bureau of Motor Vehicles is the authorizing agency for your identity. Indiana University accepts the same documentation as required by the state. It is to your benefit to have the state required documentation, and your Indiana license updated, prior to changing your Indiana University academic record. The Office of the Registrar will make copies of your documentation. For information please check this state of Indiana URL:    http://www.in.gov/bmv/2767.htm



• I need to make identity changes and I am a resident of another state.
  
  

  If you are not an Indiana resident, please check with your home state Bureau of Vital Statistics (often the Bureau of Motor Vehicles) for their documentation requirements.

  Recent Department of State regulations allow for the initial issuance, or re-issuance of, a United States passport reflecting a change in, or transitioning to a different gender as attested by a physician.  The language includes stating the patient applicant has had appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition to the new gender.  This usually includes psychological counseling and that the patient applicant is in process of, or has completed, gender reassignment.  Please refer to the United States Department of State website at http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_5100.html for specific requirements.  (Update May 30, 2012)



• Submitting Acceptable Documents
  
  

  Generally Indiana University will only accept original documents or certified copies from the issuing agency. IU may refuse any document that appears fraudulent, unreliable, altered, or expired. All documents must be in English or be presented with a verifiably accurate English translation. Your legal name and date of birth on documents presented to IU must match Social Security Administration records. We prefer to make our documentation copies from your legal and physician provided original documents. As a courtesy, we will make our copies from your documentation copies if obtaining original documentation will cause you to incur a fee.



• Where do I submit my documentation?
  
  Students should go to the Office of the Registrar.  The student academic record is usually updated the same day.  Please note that other computer applications may require up to 24 hours to update.