Maryland

Maryland is not a voter ID state.

Registered voters do not need to provide an ID when they vote in person, except for some first-time voters.

Check the federal ID requirements for first-time voters!

Any registered Maryland voter may request a mail-in ballot.

A copy of your ID is not required to vote by mail, with the exception of some first-time voters.

Check the federal ID requirements for first-time voters!

You must file a formal request with your county’s circuit court to change your name in Maryland.

You will be required to publish notice of your name change in a general-circulation newspaper in your county for a specific period of time. You may request that the court waive this requirement.

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.

Submit a request to Maryland’s Department of Health to change the name your birth certificate.

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

• certified copy of name-change court order
• copy of valid government-issued photo ID 
• payment of applicable fee(s)

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

You must update the name on your Maryland driver’s license or state ID within 30 days of legally changing your name.

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

Visit a full-service MVA office and apply for a corrected license or state ID. You will need to provide acceptable documentation demonstrating your legal name change and your current state-issued ID.

Submit a request to Maryland’s Department of Health to update your birth certificate.

To apply for an updated Maryland birth certificate, you will need to provide:

• completed application form (PDF)
• signed statement from a licensed health care practitioner (listed in application fact sheet) or certified copy of sex-change court order
• copy of valid government-issued photo ID 
• certified copy of name-change court order (if applicable)
• payment of applicable fee(s)

Proof of gender affirmation surgery is not required. 

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

Maryland allows residents to mark M, F, or X on their state-issued IDs. No medical certification or documentation is required.

Visit a full-service MVA office to update the gender marker on your Maryland-issued ID.

You will be able to self-designate a gender marker when you apply for a new or replacement driver’s license or state ID.