Voter ID in Louisiana

Louisiana is a non-strict voter ID state.

You will be asked to show an acceptable photo ID to confirm your identity when voting in person.

If you are a registered voter and cannot bring an acceptable ID to the polling place, you may complete and sign a Voter Identification Affidavit (subject to challenge by the Louisiana Secretary of State).

Check here for a full rundown of the state’s rules!

To vote absentee in Louisiana, you need to be a registered voter and unable to go to your polling place for an acceptable reason.

Certain voters must include ID information with their absentee ballot request.

Check here for a full rundown of the state’s rules!


Changing Your Legal Name

You must file a formal request with your parish court to change your name in Louisiana.

Each parish has its own policies for filing a name-change petition.

Contact your parish’s Clerk of Court to find out what will be required in your case.

If the court approves your name change, you will receive a court order that can be used to update the name on your ID documents.

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RESOURCE

Louisiana Trans Advocates ID Documents Center

Submit a request to Louisiana’s Vital Records Registry to amend your birth certificate.

To change the name on your Louisiana birth certificate, you will need to provide:

  • completed application form (PDF)
  • certified copy of name-change court order
  • original birth certificate
  • copy of valid government-issued photo ID
  • payment of applicable fees

Note: You must update your birth certificate with the state where you were born.

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RESOURCE

Louisiana Trans Advocates ID Documents Center

You must update your name with the Social Security Administration before you can change your name on a Louisiana-issued ID.

Visit a Louisiana OMV office to change the name on your Louisiana driver’s license or state ID card.

You will need to provide your current Louisiana-issued ID and your name-change court order (original or certified copy).

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RESOURCE

Louisiana Trans Advocates ID Documents Center


Updating Gender Markers

Louisiana’s Vital Records Registry must receive a court order certifying your gender transition before you can apply to update the gender marker on your birth certificate.

You will need to provide the court with proof that you have undergone gender affirmation surgery. Requirements vary by court.

If your request is approved, a copy of the judgement will be sent to Louisiana’s Vital Records Registry within ten (10) days.

The Vital Records Registry does not accept out-of-state court orders. You must file for a judgement a Louisiana court to amend your gender marker.

To update your Louisiana birth certificate, you will need to provide:

  • completed application form (PDF)
  • copy of court order certifying gender transition
  • original birth certificate
  • copy of valid government-issued photo ID
  • payment of applicable fees

Note: You must update your birth certificate with the state where you were born.

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RESOURCE

Louisiana Trans Advocates – ID Documents Center

Visit a Louisiana OMV office to update the gender marker on your Louisiana driver’s license or state ID.

You will need to present your current Louisiana-issued ID and a signed physician’s statement confirming that you have undergone gender affirmation surgery.

State law requires that this statement must be signed by a physician, not “nurse, physician’s assistant or office administrator.”

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RESOURCES

Sample Physician’s Statement (PDF)

Louisiana Trans Advocates ID Documents Center