California - DMV Advisory CALIFORNIA DMV ADVISORY Please redistribute On October 14, 2000 the California Department of Motor Vehicles implemented a new program in response to a growing "Identity Theft" problem. All requests for name changes, including name and gender changes, are being verified against Social Security records. In most instances, a temporary license is issued with the request. However, if the name and gender do not match those on file with the Social Security Administration, a letter is sent to the applicant stating that a permanent license cannot be issued as requested. Social Security will not change the name and gender flag without adequate documentation for the name (a driver's license), and will not normally change the gender flag before genital reconstruction. The California Department of Motor Vehicles, in turn, will not issue a permanent license until the records match. As a result, newly applying trans individuals are inadvertent and unanticipated victims placed in a "Catch-22" conundrum. An agreement has been reached with DMV for those trans individuals who are currently affected and have received a letter denying a permanent license because the records did not match. Beginning Friday, March 9, 2001 they should call Ms. Sally Walker (916) 657-4484 at the Pre-Licensing Division of the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Procedures have been implemented for corrective action. A good faith effort is being demonstrated to implement a long-term resolution for future applicants. We will announce its implementation as soon as it is in place. In the interim, it may be advisable to delay filing DMV Form DL 328 until the new procedure is implemented. This procedure will not impact those trans individuals who currently possess a valid permanent California license in the name and gender of choice.
	Roslyn L. Manley National Transgender Advocacy Coalition MsRoslyn@Bigfoot.Com
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