Texas Stops Allowing Transgender People to Change Sex on Birth Certificates

Recently, Texas has made a controversial decision to no longer allow transgender individuals to use court orders to change their sex on their birth certificates. This policy change follows a similar move by the Department of Public Safety, which stopped accepting court orders for updating driver’s licenses for transgender individuals.

Upon reaching out to the Department of State Health Services, they provided a statement indicating that they are working with the Attorney General’s office to determine the validity of court orders in changing vital records. As a result, the department will no longer be altering applicants’ sex on birth certificates based on court orders.

Advocates, such as the ACLU of Texas, have expressed concerns regarding the implications of these changes, particularly with the upcoming legislative session. Ash Hall from the Texas ACLU voiced worries about the potential increase in anti-transgender bills, regardless of the outcomes of the upcoming election.

Under the new policy, individuals can still request a sex change on their birth certificate to correct errors or inaccuracies if they provide a letter from the hospital confirming the need for correction.