Amending Name/Gender on Consular Report of Birth Abroad Form FS-240

September 19, 2018 7:29 PM

I am a dual US/Canadian citizen residing in Canada. My Canadian identity documents have been updated with a different name and gender marker and I need help/advice to do the same with my American birth certificate.

According to the State Department website I need a "notarized request detailing the amendment or correction needed." I am mostly looking for guidance with writing such a letter or an example of one. Alternately, if anyone can point me in the direction of a lawyer who is knowledgeable of the whole procedure that would also be helpful. Thank-you

posted by Pong74LS to Law & Government (3 answers total)

The forms issued by individual states or municipalities in charge of vital records for those born within the US (for example, New York City) are probably the best template for you to follow, and they use a three-column format to detail the amendments:

Item to be amended (i.e. name, gender marker)
As currently appears on birth record
Amendment needed
posted by holgate at 8:55 PM on September 19, 2018 [2 favorites]

I initially misread your question, so this is something of a non-answer in case you don't know, but people use the template for passport letters to change the FS-240. Most people I've discussed this with don't have foreign documents to use, but, nonetheless, I would include such a letter with your other documents for item (2). The State Department is very particular about the wording, so use the template (include Canadian license numbers, I guess) and get your doctor to sign in blue ink (preferably ballpoint, I think). Use blue ink for anything you write by hand, basically.

If you don't find someone with direct experience here, r/asktransgender is probably the next place to try.
posted by hoyland at 3:15 AM on September 20, 2018 [2 favorites]

The National Center for Transgender Equality has a passport page that may be helpful.
posted by anya32 at 7:17 AM on September 20, 2018