Additional Documents To Update

Once you have updated your legal name and/or gender marker with U.S. federal and Rhode Island state agencies, it’s generally easier to change other documents.

Updating your name and/or gender marker with government agencies will not generally update your information outside the specific agencies. You will have to contact each institution where you have a personal account or record to update your information. Depending on what you are updating, you may be asked to provide a copy of your new ID or the name change court order.

Here is a list of institutions you should update with your legal name and/or gender marker, as they apply to you.

Health Insurance, Doctors, Pharmacies, Labs: The name on your health records must match the name that your health insurance company has on file and the name on your license or ID.

  • You must start by updating the name on your health insurance.

    • If you are enrolled in a plan through Health Source RI (including Medicaid through Health Source), log in to your account and update it with name and/or gender marker changes. You can also call 1-855-840-4774 to report the changes by phone. If you have changed your name and gender marker through Social Security first, the system should send updates to the RI Department of Human Services and to the insurance carrier.

    • Updating your information with certain Medicaid programs (like traditional Medicaid as a supplement to Medicare, for example), must be done through the RI Department of Human Services.

    • If you receive health insurance through your employer, you likely need to contact your employer’s Human Resources department.

  • Once your name is updated on your health insurance, you can update your name with your doctors’ offices, pharmacies where you receive your prescriptions, and any outside labs you use for blood work.

    • It is best to do these on the same day, if possible, as soon as you’ve changed your name with your health insurance.

    • Not updating your name may disrupt your services and result in unexpected bills if your provider can’t bill your insurance because the records do not match.

Other insurance policies: Life, renters, homeowners, automotive.

Voter registration

  • If you update the name on your license or state ID through the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), your voter registration should be automatically updated, and no additional steps will be required.

  • You can verify your voter record has been updated through the RI Secretary of State website.

Bank or other financial institutions: Checking and savings accounts, debit and credit cards, retirement accounts, investment accounts, and other financial documents.

Loans: Mortgages, car loans, educational loans, personal loans, business loans.

National Credit Bureaus: There are three national credit bureaus in the U.S. where lenders, financial institutions, insurers, potential landlords, potential employers, and other entities may obtain information on your credit history to inform decisions about extending services or employment. Each bureau has its own process to request your name be updated in its records. Credit reports do not include gender markers. You must request your name be updated with each bureau separately, only after you have updated your name with all the financial institutions and lenders where you have an account. If your name is inconsistent across institutions, including use of middle name or initial, it may affect your credit reports and scores.

Experian: You may submit your request to update your name online here or by mail here. You will need to provide:

  • A copy of your name change court order.

  • A photo ID like your driver’s license, state ID card, military ID, or passport (it can show your previous or new legal name).

  • A dated copy of a utility bill, bank statement, or insurance statement addressed to your current mailing address (it can show your previous or new legal name).

  • Be sure to state clearly that you are seeking an update to your report due to a legal name change and not disputing a name that appears on your credit report (ex. “My legal name is now _______. Please see attached documents”).

  • If requesting the change by mail, only send photocopies of your court order, ID, and bill/statement. These supporting documents will not be returned to you.

    See additional information from Experian here.

Equifax: You may submit your request to update your name through the myEquifax Dispute Center or call (866) 349-5191. If you do not already have a myEquifax account, you will need to create one (it’s free) using your former legal name so that your Equifax file can be located. You’ll need to dispute your former legal name on your file and provide the following to show your legal name change:

  • A copy of your name change court order.

  • Your updated Social Security card that shows your new legal name.

  • A photo ID like your driver’s license, state ID, or passport that shows your new legal name.

  • A dated utility bill, phone bill, pay stub, or bank statement showing your new legal name.

    See additional information from Equifax here.

TransUnion: You may only submit your request to update your name by mail. You will need to provide the following:

  • A letter requesting the name change that states:

    • Your address.

    • Your date of birth.

    • Your Social Security number.

    • The reason for your name change.

  • A photocopy of your name change court order.

  • Mail these documents to:

TransUnion Consumer Solutions

P.O. Box 2000

Chester, PA 19016-2000

  • You may be asked to provide additional supporting documentation. It may be helpful to call TransUnion customer service for guidance on the process before starting: (800) 916-8800

    See additional information from TransUnion here.

Car registration

  • You may need to update your name and/or gender marker with your car insurance company before changing it on your registration.

  • Changing the gender marker on your car insurance could impact your premium.

Selective Service

  • Changing a gender marker from F to M with Social Security may trigger federal requirements for registration with the Selective Service.

School records: Current or former university, college, or other educational institutions.

Employer: Likely through your employer’s human resources department.

Utility companies: Electric, gas/oil, water, sewer, trash removal, internet, phone, cable.

Other legal documents: Power of attorney, wills, advance directives, leases, deeds.

Personal & professional memberships: AAA, clubs, professional organizations, professional licenses and certifications.

Subscriptions & Personal Accounts: Streaming services, magazines, newspapers, online retailers and loyalty accounts, and other digital accounts and subscriptions.