Rhode Island

Rhode Island 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 do not show an acceptable ID to confirm your identity when voting in person, the Board of Canvassers will compare the signature on your ballot to your signature on file to determine if your ballot will count.

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

Any registered Rhode Island voter can vote by mail.

You do not need a copy of your ID when you vote by mail in Rhode Island.

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

You must file a formal request with the Probate Court to change your name in Rhode Island. Your signature must be notarized, and a certified copy of your birth certificate attached.

You will need to undergo a Bureau of Criminal Investigation check as part of the name-change process.

Subject to the court’s discretion, you may need to publish notice of your name change in a newspaper for a set period of time.

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 Rhode Island’s Office of Vital Records office to amend your birth certificate.

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

• completed application form
• certified copy of your name-change court order
• government-issued photo ID such as your driver’s license, state ID, US passport, military ID, or certificate of naturalization
• payment of applicable fee(s)

You will receive an affidavit in the mail that you will need to sign in a notary’s presence.

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

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Trans Vote Rhode Island

You must update your name with the Social Security Administration 24-48 business hours before you can change your name on a Rhode Island-issued ID.

Visit a Rhode Island DMV branch location and bring:

• current state-issued ID
• certified copy of your name-change court order
• acceptable “proof of identity” document showing your correct name
• payment of applicable fee(s)

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RESOURCE

Trans Vote Rhode Island

Rhode Island allows residents to mark M, F, or X on their birth certificates.

Submit a request to Rhode Island’s Department of Health to amend your birth certificate.

Contact the Rhode Island Health Department and request that the Office of Vital Records prepares an affidavit for you to sign. This statement must also be signed and notarized by a Health Department staff member.

You will also need to provide:

• completed application form
• copy of government-issued photo ID such as your driver’s license, state ID, US passport, military ID, or certificate of naturalization
• payment of applicable fee(s)

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

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RESOURCE

Trans Vote Rhode Island

Rhode Island allows residents to select M, F, or X for their state-issued IDs. No medical certification is required.

Note: The state currently lacks the technology to issue a driver’s license displaying the “X” marker.

Visit a Rhode Island DMV office and submit a completed Gender Designation form (PDF).

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Trans Vote Rhode Island