We got this. We got us.
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0:02 Hi everyone, I'm Jack Fonder here with the Transformation Project in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. My pronouns are he, him, and I'm just here to give you a little update on some things that we're working on.
0:12 We're doing some videos here to help with the name change and gender marker change process. We've had a lot of requests for some assistance with that lately, so we would like to make it as easy as possible for you all to do that.
0:26 We understand this is a difficult time that everybody's going through right now. There's a lot of uncertainties that everybody might have, so we want to offer any support that we have for that process.
0:37 There's going to be a series of videos coming up that you can find after this one, and there's going to be two different videos depending on if you just want to change your name versus if you want to do your name and your gender marker update.
0:51 Those are two different videos, two different sets of paperwork. We're also recommending that you work on changing your passport if that is something that you're able.
1:00 to do. It is recommended at this time to get that done. in the videos, we're going to have links to the paperwork, so you'll be able to just click on a link and the paperwork should come up for you, and you can fill that out whenever you have time, and then take that to the courthouse and, and work on
1:13 that name change process. But again, we do want to make sure that you feel supported through this process. It can be, anxiety-inducing, it can be a little bit confusing.
1:21 the wording on the paperwork sometimes can be confusing for some folks, so please, Please reach out to me if you need any further assistance while you're filling this out.
1:29 we can do an in-person meet, you can come here to my office, I can come to you if, if transportation is an issue, and we can go ahead and walk through that paperwork together.
1:37 we can do a Zoom call if you're not anywhere close to the center, we can, we can definitely do that as well.
1:41 We can do a phone call, we can communicate via email if that's what works best for you. we're just here to help and support in any way that we can.
1:48 my My email is jack at transformationprojectsd.org. And my phone number is 605-534-4046. Hang in there everybody, we're gonna get through this together.
You’re not alone, and we’re here for you.
Below, you can find step-by-step video guides for
Adult Name Change and Gender Marker Process Explained
Adult Name Change Paperwork Process Guidance
Adult Name and Gender Marker Change Process
Legal Name Change Process for Minors
Financial Assistance for Gender Affirming Care
Additional Transportation Resource
Updating Driver's License
Passport Guidance
Adult Name Change and Gender Marker Process Explained
In this video series, we'll guide you through the name change and gender marker change process. We'll discuss options, paperwork, and steps involved. No action requested from viewers yet. Stay tuned for more detailed instructions!
If you have questions or need more help, reach out to susan@transformationprojectsd.org
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0:03 Hello, everybody. I'm Jack Fonder. My pronouns are he, him, and I work for the Transformation Project here in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
0:09 We're just going to do a little series of videos here to assist you with the name change process and gender marker change process if you're interested in that as well.
0:19 This first little video is going to be a shorter one. We're just going to go over some options for you in this process, and you can decide which one will work better for you.
0:31 So there's two different options for the name change process. You can do just your name change, um, which is totally fine.
0:39 So there's a different set of paperwork for that, or you can also do your name and gender marker change if you are interested in that.
0:46 I will go over some of the differences between the two. Name change obviously is just going to be if you want to change your name.
0:53 Name and gender marker change is if you're going to change your name and you also want to change your gender marker on your birth certificate.
1:00 With that being said, the only reason that you need a court order for the gender marker change is if you are looking to change your gender marker on your birth certificate.
1:09 If you are not concerned about that part, then you do not need to have a court order for your gender marker change.
1:15 You can change your gender marker on your driver's license with a letter from your doctor. And most doctors know how to write that letter.
1:24 If they don't, we can help with that. and then on your passport you can also change your gender marker with us.
1:34 Some of the documents that you will need when doing this process would be a birth certificate. You will need some form of ID as well when you go to your court hearing.
1:44 And then we will be making a series of videos to walk you through the name change process as far as how to fill out the paperwork and things like that.
1:54 next steps. It will be a four or five part video series, so please just continue to to click through these if you're looking for help with that process.
2:04 We can also meet with you in person or we can meet with you over Zoom if you do not live close by and we can help walk you through the process for that paperwork.
2:15 We also have some financial support that we can offer. We can help with the cost for filing the petition for your name change at the courthouse and we can also help with the cost of the publication in the newspaper.
2:31 As I mentioned previously, this was the first video of the series, so if you are interested in continuing on with this process, just go ahead and click on the next video that's applicable.
Name Change Paperwork Process Guidance
Links to resources from this video
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0:00 Hello everybody, this is Jack Fonder with the Transformation Project, and this is the process for, filling out the paperwork for name change only.
0:16 In video I'm just gonna walk you through how to fill out the paperwork, if you have additional questions or if you need further support, we can set up a time to meet in person or over Zoom.
0:27 So the first page you're gonna fill out is a case filing statement. Everybody who files a petition at the courthouse needs to fill out one of these, and when you fill this out, please start on this top line, or you'll run out of room.
0:39 you're gonna do the top line, which is your full name, as it currently is right now, your physical address, and then your mailing address if it's different.
0:47 If it's the same, you can check this box right here. need to provide a phone number. One of these three.
0:53 You don't need to provide all three. Your social security number, your date of birth, and your driver's license number. the rest of this form you can leave blank unless you're planning on using an attorney.
1:05 the next page, you're gonna fill out this top left-hand corner. On all of these pages, you're not gonna fill out the very top bar or anything on the right.
1:13 That will be filled out at the courthouse. So the top part is going to be what I'm what your name is currently now.
1:21 And then the second line is going to be what you would like to change your name to. The paperwork is barely self-explanatory.
1:29 It does tell you what exactly they're looking for, but the wording can be confusing. So again, when you're filling this out, if you need extra help, please feel free to reach out.
1:37 current name, and then your current name again on your birth certificate. this is gonna It's gonna be your age, your date of birth, it's gonna be It does ask what your gender at birth was.
1:48 You can just circle one or the other. this is gonna ask for the county and the state that you were born in, your mother's maiden name, and you will need to know your mom's date of birth, and where she was born, county and state, and you will need the same information then for your father.
2:07 If you have any questions about that, again, please reach out. this is gonna ask for your address, and it's gonna to ask you about.
2:14 If you a resident of whatever county you live in for more than six months prior to filing this petition. far as stating a reason, there really is no right or wrong answer.
2:25 Most people will put, that they are, have, have recently transitioned, or that they have completed transitioning, from male to female, female to male, or they roll right, gender dysphoria, there's really no right or wrong, just whatever feels right to both put in there is fine.
2:41 if the judge wants more explanation, they will ask at the court hearing. this is stating your name, you're requesting your legal name to be changed from what it is now to, and then you would put your proposed new name.
2:53 this page does need to be filled out with a notary, as you'll see right here on the bottom, so please do not fill any of this out and do not sign anything until you are in the presence of a notary public.
3:04 The clerk will of course, officers are notary public, so when you go to file your petition, at the courthouse, you can just sign it then and you will need a form of ID, a driver's license, is preferable, when signing this.
3:16 So I just want to reiterate, do not sign this page, do not fill this page out at all until you go to file your petition.
3:23 this page, you can fill out your current name and your proposed name. Your current name right here, and then your current name again, and then what you want to change it The rest of this will be filled out when you go file your petition.
3:39 This is going to give you your date and time, and the judge, and all of that information. So when you file, the clerk of court's officer will fill all of this information out for and you'll take that with you and bring it back to court.
3:51 You're going to list the full name on your birth certificate, your birth date, and what state you were born in, what county, and the town, and then your mother's full maiden name, The rest of this will be filled out by the judge, including all of this, and this is where the judge would sign it.
4:21 the paperwork for name change only. Again, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out. After you fill out the paperwork, you're going to go to the courthouse, to the clerk of court's office, and you will tell them you are filing a petition for a name change.
4:40 It is a $70 fee to file a petition, and then they will give you some of that paperwork back to bring with you when you come back in for your court date.
4:49 After you leave the courthouse from that process, you're going to find a newspaper in the county. And you will need to publish in that newspaper for four consecutive weeks a notice of your name change.
5:02 You do not need to know what to write in the newspaper. Newspapers know how to do this process. You will just contact a newspaper and tell them you need to publish a notice of a name change.
5:12 they will ask what your current name is, and then what you're changing your name to, and that is all the information that they will need.
5:17 And again, that needs to be published for four weeks consecutively. And the cost for that is anywhere from $40 to $50 up to, you know, $80.
5:26 It just depends on the newspaper. so any newspaper in the county that you live in can help you with that.
5:32 you go to the courthouse to file this petition, they're going to give you a court date that is six weeks from the date that you filed.
5:39 That gives you two-week buffer time to, find a newspaper to begin your publication. And then after the publication is completed, the newspaper.
5:49 Will then mail you an affidavit, which is your proof of publication. so it's usually about six weeks after, when you file, when you go to your court date, you're going to bring all of the paperwork that you filled out.
6:00 You're going to bring your birth certificate and another form of ID and make sure you have your affidavit of proof of publication in the newspaper.
6:09 However, the judge will call you up, they will ask if it's still your intention to change your name, they may ask you the reason, they may not, and then they will email you.
6:17 Either give you, an approval or a denial and they'll give you reasoning either way. we do not typically see denials for name change, they usually go pretty smoothly.
6:26 if it is approved, you will go down to the clerk of courts again and you can get certified copies of that name change order that you can use to then, change other documentation.
6:36 you do get a denial, you are able to appeal that denial one time. so you would basically just go through the process again to change your name and start over.
6:48 you are needing additional support with this process, we can help you. I can help you in person by helping you fill out the paperwork.
6:54 I can also go to the courthouse with you, to file the petition as support. And I can also be at the court hearing with you as well if you are needed.
7:03 If you do not live close by and you aren't able to come in in person, I can recommend also offer support via Zoom or a phone call.
7:11 And then we do have financial support to help with the cost of filing the petition as well as publication in the newspaper.
7:18 And again, if you need anything else or if you have any further questions, you can reach me at jack@ransformationprojectsd.org or you can give me a call at 605-534-4046.
In this video, we explain the detailed steps involved, including what information to provide and where. If you have any questions or need support, feel free to reach out to me. Remember, the paperwork is crucial for a smooth name change process.
If you have questions or need more help, reach out to susan@transformationprojectsd.org
Adult Name and Gender Marker Change Process
Links to resources from this video
In this video we guide you through the paperwork required for changing your name and gender marker. You'll learn how to update the necessary fields, fill out the forms correctly, and gather essential documents like your birth certificate. Remember, you can reach out to me for assistance and support through the process. No action requested from viewers.
If you have questions or need more help, reach out to susan@transformationprojectsd.org
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0:00 Hello everybody, this is Jack Fonder with the Transformation Project, and this is the process for, filling out the paperwork for name change only.
0:16 In video I'm just gonna walk you through how to fill out the paperwork, if you have additional questions or if you need further support, we can set up a time to meet in person or over Zoom.
0:27 So the first page you're gonna fill out is a case filing statement. Everybody who files a petition at the courthouse needs to fill out one of these, and when you fill this out, please start on this top line, or you'll run out of room.
0:39 you're gonna do the top line, which is your full name, as it currently is right now, your physical address, and then your mailing address if it's different.
0:47 If it's the same, you can check this box right here. need to provide a phone number. One of these three.
0:53 You don't need to provide all three. Your social security number, your date of birth, and your driver's license number. the rest of this form you can leave blank unless you're planning on using an attorney.
1:05 the next page, you're gonna fill out this top left-hand corner. On all of these pages, you're not gonna fill out the very top bar or anything on the right.
1:13 That will be filled out at the courthouse. So the top part is going to be what I'm what your name is currently now.
1:21 And then the second line is going to be what you would like to change your name to. The paperwork is barely self-explanatory.
1:29 It does tell you what exactly they're looking for, but the wording can be confusing. So again, when you're filling this out, if you need extra help, please feel free to reach out.
1:37 current name, and then your current name again on your birth certificate. this is gonna It's gonna be your age, your date of birth, it's gonna be It does ask what your gender at birth was.
1:48 You can just circle one or the other. this is gonna ask for the county and the state that you were born in, your mother's maiden name, and you will need to know your mom's date of birth, and where she was born, county and state, and you will need the same information then for your father.
2:07 If you have any questions about that, again, please reach out. this is gonna ask for your address, and it's gonna to ask you about.
2:14 If you a resident of whatever county you live in for more than six months prior to filing this petition. far as stating a reason, there really is no right or wrong answer.
2:25 Most people will put, that they are, have, have recently transitioned, or that they have completed transitioning, from male to female, female to male, or they roll right, gender dysphoria, there's really no right or wrong, just whatever feels right to both put in there is fine.
2:41 if the judge wants more explanation, they will ask at the court hearing. this is stating your name, you're requesting your legal name to be changed from what it is now to, and then you would put your proposed new name.
2:53 this page does need to be filled out with a notary, as you'll see right here on the bottom, so please do not fill any of this out and do not sign anything until you are in the presence of a notary public.
3:04 The clerk will of course, officers are notary public, so when you go to file your petition, at the courthouse, you can just sign it then and you will need a form of ID, a driver's license, is preferable, when signing this.
3:16 So I just want to reiterate, do not sign this page, do not fill this page out at all until you go to file your petition.
3:23 this page, you can fill out your current name and your proposed name. Your current name right here, and then your current name again, and then what you want to change it The rest of this will be filled out when you go file your petition.
3:39 This is going to give you your date and time, and the judge, and all of that information. So when you file, the clerk of court's officer will fill all of this information out for and you'll take that with you and bring it back to court.
3:51 You're going to list the full name on your birth certificate, your birth date, and what state you were born in, what county, and the town, and then your mother's full maiden name, The rest of this will be filled out by the judge, including all of this, and this is where the judge would sign it.
4:21 the paperwork for name change only. Again, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out. After you fill out the paperwork, you're going to go to the courthouse, to the clerk of court's office, and you will tell them you are filing a petition for a name change.
4:40 It is a $70 fee to file a petition, and then they will give you some of that paperwork back to bring with you when you come back in for your court date.
4:49 After you leave the courthouse from that process, you're going to find a newspaper in the county. And you will need to publish in that newspaper for four consecutive weeks a notice of your name change.
5:02 You do not need to know what to write in the newspaper. Newspapers know how to do this process. You will just contact a newspaper and tell them you need to publish a notice of a name change.
5:12 they will ask what your current name is, and then what you're changing your name to, and that is all the information that they will need.
5:17 And again, that needs to be published for four weeks consecutively. And the cost for that is anywhere from $40 to $50 up to, you know, $80.
5:26 It just depends on the newspaper. so any newspaper in the county that you live in can help you with that.
5:32 you go to the courthouse to file this petition, they're going to give you a court date that is six weeks from the date that you filed.
5:39 That gives you two-week buffer time to, find a newspaper to begin your publication. And then after the publication is completed, the newspaper.
5:49 Will then mail you an affidavit, which is your proof of publication. so it's usually about six weeks after, when you file, when you go to your court date, you're going to bring all of the paperwork that you filled out.
6:00 You're going to bring your birth certificate and another form of ID and make sure you have your affidavit of proof of publication in the newspaper.
6:09 However, the judge will call you up, they will ask if it's still your intention to change your name, they may ask you the reason, they may not, and then they will email you.
6:17 Either give you, an approval or a denial and they'll give you reasoning either way. we do not typically see denials for name change, they usually go pretty smoothly.
6:26 if it is approved, you will go down to the clerk of courts again and you can get certified copies of that name change order that you can use to then, change other documentation.
6:36 you do get a denial, you are able to appeal that denial one time. so you would basically just go through the process again to change your name and start over.
6:48 you are needing additional support with this process, we can help you. I can help you in person by helping you fill out the paperwork.
6:54 I can also go to the courthouse with you, to file the petition as support. And I can also be at the court hearing with you as well if you are needed.
7:03 If you do not live close by and you aren't able to come in in person, I can recommend also offer support via Zoom or a phone call.
7:11 And then we do have financial support to help with the cost of filing the petition as well as publication in the newspaper.
7:18 And again, if you need anything else or if you have any further questions, you can reach me at jack@ransformationprojectsd.org or you can give me a call at 605-534-4046.
Legal Name Change Process for Minors
In this video, we’ll guide you through the legal name change process for minors under 18. The first step involves filing a petition at the courthouse, costing $70. Parents or guardians can submit the petition for minors under 12. No court hearing is required, and the judge will sign off without one. After approval, paperwork can be mailed or picked up at the courthouse. We offer in-person and virtual support, including financial assistance if needed.
Links to resources from this video
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0:03 Hello, this is Jack Fonder, pronouns he, him, with the Transformation Project. And this video is going to go over the legal name change process for a minor, so that would be someone under the age of 18.
0:15 first step is going to be to file a petition with the clerk of courts at the courthouse. now we'll just go over that process.
0:23 So, step one is going to be, like I said, to file a petition. and we will have links to the paperwork that you will need to fill out to file that petition at the courthouse.
0:32 The cost to file a petition is $70, so just be prepared for that when you go in. The minor child does need to come to the courthouse.
0:42 The parents or guardians can submit and sign a statement that they want their name changed by the court if they are over 12 years old.
0:50 If they are under 12 years old, that part is not necessary. The parents or legal guardians can just go ahead and submit that petition on their own.
0:59 judge will review the petition and you can ask the clerk of courts if there there is a specific date that's they will be reviewing that so that you know when to expect that.
1:08 There is no court hearing, so you will not have to appear in court before a judge to do that. you're under 18, you also are not required to publish, the name change in a newspaper.
1:21 the outcomes for this, typically, so that jibes don't judge will sign off without a court hearing. as I said previously, you are not required to go to a court hearing if you are a minor.
1:30 after that's done, the decision is made, the paperwork would be mailed directly to you or the courthouse will notify you that a decision has been made and your paperwork can be picked up at the courthouse.
1:40 And we do offer support for this, if you wanted to, meet with us in person, I can, I can meet with people in person to help with the paperwork, I can go with you to file the petition at the clerk of courts, and then we can help you with, a to-do list after the name change has been done to help you, kind 1:59 of go through all of the documents that you can update after you have that done. We can also meet with you virtually via Zoom, or other similar ways, if you wanted to meet in person, but you're, you're not in person, we can do it virtually as well, and we also have some emergency funds so we can help
2:14 out financially if that's something that you're needing support with. And, again, if you have any questions or if you need any help or support through this process, please feel free to reach out to me at any time, my email and my phone number are listed below, or you can reach out to the Transformation
2:30 Project at our website, transformationprojectsd.org.
Financial Assistance Guide for Gender Affirming Care
Links to resources from this video
If you have questions or need more help, reach out to Maisy at maisy@transformationprojectsd.org
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Trans Youth Emergency Project (TYEP):
The Campaign for Southern Equality (CSE) operates the Trans Youth Emergency Project, a comprehensive resource to help families navigate these difficult circumstances. By visiting https://southernequality.org/tyep/#support
you’ll find tools and support for: ---Patient navigation: Helping families understand their options for continuing care out of state, including referrals to trusted medical providers in a regional network. ---Emergency grants: Providing up to $500 for immediate needs like travel expenses, medication costs, and mental health or wellness needs. ---Information and referrals: Offering guidance on navigating trans healthcare restrictions and connecting families with community partners like us. Limitations of TYEP Grants: It’s important to note that the TYEP grants are one-time, $500 grants, and they are specifically for trans youth. That’s where the Trans Resilience Fund comes in to provide additional support. Trans Resilience Fund: The Trans Resilience Fund is managed by the Transformation Project and offers financial assistance to: ---Families who have exhausted the TYEP grant and still need support. ---Trans adults who may need help with non-medical expenses, such as obtaining a passport for relocation or covering the cost of name or gender marker changes on identification documents. The Trans Resilience Fund provides assistance dispersed in form of visa gift cards. To apply, visit https://www.transformationprojectsd.org/trans-resilience-fund Please allow up to one week for the gift card to arrive by mail. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at maisy@transformationprojectsd.org
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0:00 Hello, my name is Maisie, and I am with the Transformation Project. Today, I'm going to be going over, uhm, how to access financial assistance when it comes to gender-affirming care.
0:12 Uhm, as we know, there's been a ban on gender-affirming care for youth that went into effect July 1st, 2023, and this has made a extremely difficult for families with trans youth to ensure that their families receive, uhm, the life-saving healthcare for their child.
0:30 So, I'm going to be talking about two different resources today, one being the Trans Youth Emergency Project. This is operated by the campaign.
0:43 And it is a comprehensive resource to help families navigate these difficult circumstances. So, you can visit southernequality.org slash T-Y-E-P to locate this.
0:57 And right at the top here, you can select Get Support. Which will bring you to the bottom where you fill out a form.
1:05 Once you have to fill out all of this form and, uhm, give them some details here, you will be able to hit submit and their care team will be able to reach out to you.
1:26 and help provide you with three major components of their system. How it all works is, first, they do patient navigation, so they will help you understand your options, including referring you to trusted medical providers in your region.
1:41 They also provide a $500 grant to support immediate needs, including travel expenses, medication costs, mental health, or wellness needs. And they also have a huge wealth of resources when it comes to networking with community partners, such as us at Transformation Projects.
2:03 The limitations of the TYEP grants, um, that are important to note is that it is a one-time $500 grant that is specifically for trans youth.
2:16 This is where our Trans Resilience Fund comes in. And welcome. Trans Resilience Fund is managed by us at Transformation. And it offers financial assistance for families who have exhausted that TYEP grant and may still need support.
2:38 But also for trans adults who might need help with non-medical expenses. Such as obtaining a passport, or covering the cost of a name and gender marker change on their identification documents.
2:50 So, you can apply for this grant at transformationproject.org and by just clicking Support and then Trans Resilience Fund, it will bring you to this page, and you can scroll down and click on the form.
3:06 here. Our application process is pretty straightforward. You just, uhm, press start now. You indicate whether you are a trans adult or the parent of the caregiver of a trans youth, and fill out the required details about your current submit, and then submit the form.
3:26 Once submitted, we will reach out to you, uhm, to provide timely assistance, so, uhm, please be sure to complete it at least a week in advance.
3:35 Uhm, just because we do provide this fund in the form of gift cards that you will be receiving by mail.
3:47 We know that this is, uh, definitely a challenging and overwhelming time, with lots of uncertainty for what's to come in 20, 25 years.
3:56 So please just know that you're not alone. We are here to support you and your family through this. And if you have any additional questions or need any further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at maisy@transformationprojectsd.org.
4:13 Thank you.
Additional Transportation Resource
If you need a no-cost flight to access gender-affirming care—whether for an appointment, procedure, or any other gender-affirming need—we're here to help. We understand that gender affirmation goes beyond healthcare.
For more information or to arrange a flight, contact us at maisy@transformationprojectsd.org
Links to resources from this video
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0:00 Hello, one additional resource that I would love to chat about, uhm, in addition to the financial assistance that I previously discussed is sometimes there's also a transportation barrier, uhm, and sometimes that is multiple states over to receive gender-affirming care, and potentially a flight could
0:21 be required, which is why we also partner with Elevated Access. Elevated Access uses volunteer pilots to transport passengers at no cost to access the healthcare that they need.
0:34 You will work with us to contact one of our members on our team at the Transformation Project to, uhm, submit a referral that will then allow Elevated Access to follow the steps that they need in order to come together and ensure that you have a safe, convenient, and trustworthy flight.
0:57 Here is a short clip to watch to learn a little bit more about how that process works. Presenting Elevated We believe everyone deserves access to health care.
1:10 Our volunteer pilots transport passengers at no cost to access the care they need. Additionally, 19 states have bans on gender-affirming care.
1:27 Millions of people today have to travel across state lines to receive life-saving health care. Less than 18 months since our founding, Elevated Access has already recruited over 1,350 volunteer pilots.
1:43 I was gonna go fly today anyway, so I might as well go fly and get somebody to care for me.
1:49 At some other stage in my life, I needed abortion. And I know that feeling. A pilot can take off from any airport, and it seems appropriate to me to use that freedom I have to help people who's much more fundamental for you.
2:06 The freedom of bodily autonomy is being infringed. The passengers don't have to pay a dime. What it means to give somebody the opportunity to receive the help that they need.
2:19 That's priceless to me. We work with more than 80 trusted organizational partners who refer passengers after determining a good match for our support.
2:34 Our typical client, I would say, is a woman of color who is a mother to one of one to three children.
2:41 They are very low income, if any income. Some of them are fleeing domestic abuse situations. They know they need the abortion, they know they need the health care, and they've made the decision to have one.
2:53 That was a long day, but it would have been even longer without the help and generosity of everyone at Elevate and Access.
3:00 We had to travel two states over, but we received education from a professional today who answered our questions, which will help us make informed decisions in the future.
3:13 In our first 18 months, we traveled over 250,000 miles and provided over 400 flights, and in the month following that, there were another 100 flights completed.
3:24 Our need is growing daily, and our team is expanding quickly to accommodate the requests. You can help. Get involved today.
3:41 So, if this is something that you are thinking that would be beneficial for you, , For you to receive a flight to another state, if you have an appointment out of state, if you have a procedure out of state, and you think that this would be, uh, helpful, uhm, reach out to us, and we do all of our of
4:00 the organization here at Transformation Project working with Elevated Access, so that way all you have to do is show up where you are, uhm, flying out of, and you don't even have to go through TSA, you just walk on out to the plane, and they get you all set up.
4:20 and take off. All they need to know about you is your pronouns and weight, and that's just simply because of, uhm, how the flights work and the weight distribution of the plane, and then, uhm, what your mobility is, and what your baggage weight would be, and, uhm, other than that, it's pretty, pretty
4:42 simple. So, if this is something that you feel like would be super beneficial to you, let us know, and we will get you connected.
Updating Driver's License and Passport Information
In this video we’ll guide you through updating your driver's license and passport. or the driver's license, make an appointment at the DMV, bring legal name change documents, and a doctor's letter for gender marker change. For the passport, bring legal name change documents, a doctor's letter for gender marker change, original birth certificate, and $200 for the application. Action: Reach out for support if needed. If you have questions or need more help, reach out to Susan
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0:00 Hello everybody, this is Jack Fonder with the Transformation Project, and this is the process for, filling out the paperwork for name change only.
0:16 In video I'm just gonna walk you through how to fill out the paperwork, if you have additional questions or if you need further support, we can set up a time to meet in person or over Zoom.
0:27 So the first page you're gonna fill out is a case filing statement. Everybody who files a petition at the courthouse needs to fill out one of these, and when you fill this out, please start on this top line, or you'll run out of room.
0:39 you're gonna do the top line, which is your full name, as it currently is right now, your physical address, and then your mailing address if it's different.
0:47 If it's the same, you can check this box right here. need to provide a phone number. One of these three.
0:53 You don't need to provide all three. Your social security number, your date of birth, and your driver's license number. the rest of this form you can leave blank unless you're planning on using an attorney.
1:05 the next page, you're gonna fill out this top left-hand corner. On all of these pages, you're not gonna fill out the very top bar or anything on the right.
1:13 That will be filled out at the courthouse. So the top part is going to be what I'm what your name is currently now.
1:21 And then the second line is going to be what you would like to change your name to. The paperwork is barely self-explanatory.
1:29 It does tell you what exactly they're looking for, but the wording can be confusing. So again, when you're filling this out, if you need extra help, please feel free to reach out.
1:37 current name, and then your current name again on your birth certificate. this is gonna It's gonna be your age, your date of birth, it's gonna be It does ask what your gender at birth was.
1:48 You can just circle one or the other. this is gonna ask for the county and the state that you were born in, your mother's maiden name, and you will need to know your mom's date of birth, and where she was born, county and state, and you will need the same information then for your father.
2:07 If you have any questions about that, again, please reach out. this is gonna ask for your address, and it's gonna to ask you about.
2:14 If you a resident of whatever county you live in for more than six months prior to filing this petition. far as stating a reason, there really is no right or wrong answer.
2:25 Most people will put, that they are, have, have recently transitioned, or that they have completed transitioning, from male to female, female to male, or they roll right, gender dysphoria, there's really no right or wrong, just whatever feels right to both put in there is fine.
2:41 if the judge wants more explanation, they will ask at the court hearing. this is stating your name, you're requesting your legal name to be changed from what it is now to, and then you would put your proposed new name.
2:53 this page does need to be filled out with a notary, as you'll see right here on the bottom, so please do not fill any of this out and do not sign anything until you are in the presence of a notary public.
3:04 The clerk will of course, officers are notary public, so when you go to file your petition, at the courthouse, you can just sign it then and you will need a form of ID, a driver's license, is preferable, when signing this.
3:16 So I just want to reiterate, do not sign this page, do not fill this page out at all until you go to file your petition.
3:23 this page, you can fill out your current name and your proposed name. Your current name right here, and then your current name again, and then what you want to change it The rest of this will be filled out when you go file your petition.
3:39 This is going to give you your date and time, and the judge, and all of that information. So when you file, the clerk of court's officer will fill all of this information out for and you'll take that with you and bring it back to court.
3:51 You're going to list the full name on your birth certificate, your birth date, and what state you were born in, what county, and the town, and then your mother's full maiden name, The rest of this will be filled out by the judge, including all of this, and this is where the judge would sign it.
4:21 the paperwork for name change only. Again, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out. After you fill out the paperwork, you're going to go to the courthouse, to the clerk of court's office, and you will tell them you are filing a petition for a name change.
4:40 It is a $70 fee to file a petition, and then they will give you some of that paperwork back to bring with you when you come back in for your court date.
4:49 After you leave the courthouse from that process, you're going to find a newspaper in the county. And you will need to publish in that newspaper for four consecutive weeks a notice of your name change.
5:02 You do not need to know what to write in the newspaper. Newspapers know how to do this process. You will just contact a newspaper and tell them you need to publish a notice of a name change.
5:12 they will ask what your current name is, and then what you're changing your name to, and that is all the information that they will need.
5:17 And again, that needs to be published for four weeks consecutively. And the cost for that is anywhere from $40 to $50 up to, you know, $80.
5:26 It just depends on the newspaper. so any newspaper in the county that you live in can help you with that.
5:32 you go to the courthouse to file this petition, they're going to give you a court date that is six weeks from the date that you filed.
5:39 That gives you two-week buffer time to, find a newspaper to begin your publication. And then after the publication is completed, the newspaper.
5:49 Will then mail you an affidavit, which is your proof of publication. so it's usually about six weeks after, when you file, when you go to your court date, you're going to bring all of the paperwork that you filled out.
6:00 You're going to bring your birth certificate and another form of ID and make sure you have your affidavit of proof of publication in the newspaper.
6:09 However, the judge will call you up, they will ask if it's still your intention to change your name, they may ask you the reason, they may not, and then they will email you.
6:17 Either give you, an approval or a denial and they'll give you reasoning either way. we do not typically see denials for name change, they usually go pretty smoothly.
6:26 if it is approved, you will go down to the clerk of courts again and you can get certified copies of that name change order that you can use to then, change other documentation.
6:36 you do get a denial, you are able to appeal that denial one time. so you would basically just go through the process again to change your name and start over.
6:48 you are needing additional support with this process, we can help you. I can help you in person by helping you fill out the paperwork.
6:54 I can also go to the courthouse with you, to file the petition as support. And I can also be at the court hearing with you as well if you are needed.
7:03 If you do not live close by and you aren't able to come in in person, I can recommend also offer support via Zoom or a phone call.
7:11 And then we do have financial support to help with the cost of filing the petition as well as publication in the newspaper.
7:18 And again, if you need anything else or if you have any further questions, you can reach me at jack@ransformationprojectsd.org or you can give me a call at 605-534-4046.
Passport Guidance
On June 17, 2025, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit challenging the administration's policy preventing transgender and nonbinary people from receiving passports that match their gender identity.
The State Department is now complying. Here is the new guidance published the U.S. Dept. of State.
Transgender, intersex, and nonbinary people who need
- to obtain a new passport
- change the name or sex listed on their existing passport
- replace a lost, stolen, or damaged passport
- or renew a passport that will expire within a year,
can now do so.
ACLU created a FAQ page that provides updated advice.
Links to Passport Resources
The Trans Legal Survival Guide
By Advocates for Trans Equality.
Given the upcoming administration’s anti-trans track record, our community is preparing for increased political and legal attacks. In our Trans Legal Survival Guide, we outline steps that can help you protect yourself.
