License & State id
How to update your name and/or gender marker license or state ID in Rhode Island through through the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You can change both at the same time.
In Rhode Island, you must change your name and/or gender marker with Social Security before you change them on your state-issued ID. It takes 24 hours for changes at Social Security to become effective.
This means you will not need to wait for your new Social Security to come in the mail. 24 hours will be sufficient for changes to appear in the DMV’s internal system.
Updating Name
STEP 1
STEP 2
Updating Gender Marker
STEP 1
Step 2
Step 3
Updating Name at the DMV
STEP 1
Complete the Application for License, Identification Card and Permit Form
Download the Application for License, Identification Card and Permit Form (Form LI-1) here or on the website from the RI DMV. If you want to change both your name and gender marker, you can do this all in the same form. Please note: you must change your name through probate court before changing your name with the DMV.
Transaction Type
In the first box, select whether you want a “REAL ID” or a “Non-REAL ID” card. The difference is that a REAL ID is a document that you can use both as your state identification form and driver’s license, and for federal identification purposes, including for domestic air travel.
In the second box, select whether you are seeking a driver’s license or an identification card. Check the box that says “Update”.
Box A: In the name blanks, fill in your current name (the updated name that will be on your license or ID; this is your new legal name acquired through probate court).
Box B-D: Fill in all requested information.
Box E-F: Skip.
Box G: Sign your name. The bottom of Box G asks for a signature from a notary, but you do not need to get this form notarized on your own. The staff in the DMV will notarize the form when you appear in their offices.
STEP 2
During your scheduled appointment, bring with you:
Completed Application for License, Identification Card, and Permit Form (Form L-1)
Certified copy of your Name Change Court Order (this is the probate court-issued proof of your new legal name)
Current Rhode Island driver’s license or ID card
One document from the “Proof of Identity Documents List” on p. 3 of the Form LI-1, such as a valid U.S. passport or certified copy of your birth certificate
Two documents from the “Proof of Residency Documents List” on p. 3 of Form LI-1, such as a utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement with proof of your current address
Cost:
$27.50 to update your driver’s license
$27.50 to update your state ID (this fee is waived if you are 58 years of age or older)
The DMV accepts payment by cash, money order, and credit card for all fees. Payment by personal check or bank check is accepted for driver’s licenses, but not accepted for state IDs. Checks should be made out to “Division of Motor Vehicles”.
Updating gender marker at the DMV
STEP 1
Complete the Gender Designation on a License or Identification Card Form
Download the Gender Designation on a License or Identification Card or on the website from the RI DMV. If you want to change both your name and gender marker, you can do this all in the same form.
Read the instruction in the box at the top.
In the “name” blanks of Box A, fill in your current legal name. (If you are updating your name at the same time as you update your gender marker name, fill in with your new legal name acquired through probate court.)
Fill in all other required information.
Select the gender marker you would like your driver’s license to show. You can select M for male, F for female, or X for neither/non-binary.
This is self-attested, so you do not require any documentation from a medical provider to update your gender marker.
Sign and date the form.
STEP 2
Complete the Application for License, Identification Card and Permit Form
Download the Application for License, Identification Card and Permit Form (Form LI-1) here or on the website from the RI DMV. If you want to change both your name and gender marker, you can do this all in the same form.
Transaction Type
In the first box, select whether you want a “REAL ID” or a “Non-REAL ID” card. The difference is that a REAL ID is a document that you can use both as your state identification form and driver’s license, and for federal identification purposes, including for domestic air travel.
In the second box, select whether you are seeking a driver’s license or an identification card. Check the box that says “Update”.
Box A:
In the name blanks, fill in your current legal name. (If you are updating your name at the same time as you update your gender marker name, fill in with your new legal name acquired through probate court.)
In the gender box, select the gender you want to appear on your driver’s license or ID. You can select M, F, or X.
Box B-D: Fill in all requested information.
Box E-F: Skip.
Box G: Sign your name. The bottom of Box G asks for a signature from a notary, but you do not need to get this form notarized on your own. The staff in the DMV will notarize the form when you appear in their offices.
STEP 3
During your scheduled appointment, bring with you:
Completed Gender Designation on a License or Identification Card
Completed Application for License, Identification Card, and Permit Form (Form L-1)
Current Rhode Island driver’s license or ID card
One document from the “Proof of Identity Documents List” on p. 3 of the Form LI-1, such as a valid U.S. passport or certified copy of your birth certificate
Two documents from the “Proof of Residency Documents List” on p. 3 of Form LI-1, such as a utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement with proof of your current address
Cost:
$27.50 to update your driver’s license
$27.50 to update your state ID (this fee is waived if you are 58 years of age or older)
The DMV accepts payment by cash, money order, and credit card for all fees. Payment by personal check or bank check is accepted for driver’s licenses, but not accepted for state IDs. Checks should be made out to “Division of Motor Vehicles”.
What to expect at the RI DMV:
You will be asked to surrender your current RI driver’s license or ID card
You will have a new photograph taken
Please note: no medical documentation is required to change your gender marker on your license or ID.
Employees at the DMV should not ask you for additional information beyond what’s required on the applicable form, and they are not allowed to ask you about your private medical history records.
There may be employees at the DMV who are not familiar with the Gender Designation on a License or Identification Card. If you have problems, we recommend you ask for a supervisor,
