License & State id
How to update your name and/or gender marker on your Rhode Island license or state ID through the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You can change both at the same time but this guide lists the processes separately.
You must change your name with Social Security before you change it on your Rhode Island license or ID. It takes 24 hours for changes at Social Security to become effective. You do not need to wait until you receive your new Social Security card before going to the DMV. 24 hours will be sufficient for changes to appear in the DMV’s internal system.
The gender marker on your driver's license or state ID can be changed to M, F, or X. No medical documentation is required to update the gender marker on your Rhode Island driver’s license or ID.
Updating Name
STEP 1
STEP 2
Updating Gender Marker
STEP 1
Step 2
Step 3
Updating Name at the DMV
Complete the Application for License, Identification Card and Permit Form
STEP 1
Download the Application for License, Identification Card and Permit Form (Form LI-1) here or on the website from the RI DMV. Please note: you must change your name with the Social Security Administration at least 24-hours before changing your name with the DMV.
To update your gender marker at the same time as your name, see additional insturctions under, “UPDATING GENDER MARKER AT THE DMV,” below.
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 new legal name acquired through probate court.
If you are also updating your gender marker, 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. See additional information below.
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.
Appear in person at your nearest Rhode Island DMV branch
STEP 2
Find your nearest RI DMV branch here.
Be sure to bring with you:
Completed Application for License, Identification Card and Permit Form (Form LI-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 valid RI diver’s license or state ID, a utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement with proof of your current address
Cost:
$27.50 to update your driver’s license
See this fee schedule for costs if you are renewing your license or transferring your license from out of state while updating your name and/or gender marker.
$27.50 to update your state ID (this fee is waived if you are 58 years of age or older)
Acceptable forms of payment are: cash, money orders, personal checks, bank checks, and credit card (MasterCard, Discover, Visa, and American Express). Checks and money orders should be payable to “Division of Motor Vehicles”. Third-party and temporary/starter checks are not accepted. If you are paying by credit card, there is a minimum service fee of $1.55 per transaction or 2.4% for transactions of $65.00 and over.
Updating gender marker at the DMV
Complete the Gender Designation on a License or Identification Card Form
STEP 1
Download the Gender Designation on a License or Identification Card form here or from the RI DMV website.
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/nonbinary.
This is self-attested; you do not need any medical documentation to update your gender marker.
Sign and date the form.
Complete the Application for License, Identification Card and Permit Form
STEP 2
Download the Application for License, Identification Card and Permit Form (Form LI-1) here or on the website from the RI 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 legal name. (If you are updating your name at the same time as you update your gender marker, 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.
Appear in person at your nearest Rhode Island DMV branch
STEP 3
Find your nearest RI DMV branch here.
Be sure to bring with you:
Completed Gender Designation on a License or Identification Card
Completed Application for License, Identification Card, and Permit Form (Form LI-1)
If you are changing your name at the same time as your gender marker: 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 valid RI diver’s license or state ID, a utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement with proof of your current address
Cost:
$27.50 to update your driver’s license
See this fee schedule for costs if you are renewing your license or transferring your license from out of state while updating your name and/or gender marker.
$27.50 to update your state ID (this fee is waived if you are 58 years of age or older)
Acceptable forms of payment are: cash, money orders, personal checks, bank checks, and credit card (MasterCard, Discover, Visa, and American Express). Checks and money orders should be payable to “Division of Motor Vehicles”. Third-party and temporary/starter checks are not accepted. If you are paying by credit card, there is a minimum service fee of $1.55 per transaction or 2.4% for transactions of $65.00 and over.
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 the gender marker on your license or ID.
Employees at the DMV should not ask you for additional information beyond what’s required on the Gender Designation on a License or Identification Card form. 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,
