Identity Document Assistance (IDA) Network
MTPC’s Identity Document Assistance Network (IDA Network) provides guidance, support and financial assistance for trans, nonbinary, and gender expansive people living in New England who are seeking to update their legal name and/or gender on federal and state documents. Not everyone needs an attorney’s assistance in this process, but it can still be very overwhelming and complicated so we’re here to help! While MTPC does not currently provide legal representation or legal counsel, we will refer you to an appropriate legal resource if necessary.
More detailed guides for adults and minors coming soon!
Need help changing your legal name / gender marker? Namesake can help!
Namesake is a secure, online platform to provide guidance and assistance with legal name and/or gender marker changes for trans and nonbinary people. MTPC has contracted with Namesake to provide access to the platform for free to all trans and nonbinary residents of Massachusetts! Use this platform to:
- Automatically fill out your name change paperwork and forms
- Get guidance on what you need to get the process started and how to prepare for each step
- Track your progress through each step of the name change and ID document updating process
- Find answers to common questions and concerns in the name change process
Namesake Collaborative was founded in 2021 by Luke Lennon (they/he/any) after they struggled through the legal name and gender marker change process firsthand. Luke is a white transmasc nonbinary queer who has years of experience in the tech and startup worlds, and is passionate about the intersections of technology, social justice, and community. Read more about Namesake.
MTPC and Namesake’s partnership was made possible by an Opportunity Grant from the American Bar Endowment.
Name Change Clinics
MTPC hosts name change clinics throughout Massachusetts as well as virtually. At these clinics, our staff and volunteers can generally provide a general overview of the legal name change process, one-on-one support and guidance, notary services, and referrals to legal resources when necessary. We can also help you get signed up for the Namesake platform and tell you more about it!
Financial Assistance
MTPC provides financial assistance for those who can not afford a name and gender marker change on state and federal identity documents. These fees can exceed $400, depending on the steps, making access difficult for many in our community.
Think You Need Legal Assistance?
Here are some law firms that provide free legal assistance for name and gender marker changes:
– The Trans ID Project; a collaborative project of GLAD, Ropes & Gray, and Goodwin Law.
– DangerLaw, LLC
– More legal connections coming in 2024!
Are you a lawyer or legal agency that would like to join the IDA Network and provide free legal assistance to trans and nonbinary people for identity document corrections?
Please contact us!
