Voter ID in New Mexico

New Mexico does not have a voter ID law.

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 voter in New Mexico may apply for a vote-by-mail 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!


Changing Your Legal Name

You must file a formal request with your county’s district court to change your name in New Mexico. 

You will be required to publish notice for a specific period of time. This requirement can be waived for your safety.

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 New Mexico’s Department of Health to update your birth certificate.

You may request to change the legal name on your New Mexico birth certificate by:

  • checking the appropriate box on the Request to Change Gender Designation on a Birth Certificate form (PDF)
    • Your signature on the completed form must be notarized!
  • submitting a notarized affidavit (PDF) to amend a vital record

You will also need to provide:

  • completed Birth Record Search Application (PDF
  • certified copy of name-change court order
  • payment of applicable fee(s)

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

Visit a full-service MVD office to update the name on your New Mexico license or state ID card. You will need to provide acceptable documentation demonstrating your legal name change.


Updating Gender Markers

New Mexico allows residents to mark female, male, or X on their birth certificate. Medical certification is not required.

Submit a completed and notarized Request to Change Gender Designation on a Birth Certificate form (PDF) to New Mexico’s Department of Health to update your birth certificate.

You will also need to provide:

  • completed Birth Record Search Application (PDF
  • certified copy of name-change court order (if applicable)
  • payment of applicable fee(s)

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

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

Visit a MVD Office and provide a completed Request for Sex Designation Change form to update your New Mexico driver license or state ID.