North Dakota

North Dakota is a strict voter ID state.

You are required to show an acceptable ID to confirm your identity when voting in person.

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

Any North Dakota voter can vote by mail.

You must provide ID information when you apply for your ballot.

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

You must file a formal request with the district court to change your name in North Dakota.

You will need to publish notice of your name change application in a newspaper for a required period of time. This requirement can be waived for individuals who are only seeking to change their first name and for survivors of domestic violence.

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 the North Dakota Department of Health’s Vital Records office to amend your birth certificate.

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

• letter requesting to change legal name on birth certificate (must be signed and dated)
• certified copy of your name-change court order
• copy of your current photo ID
• payment of applicable fee(s)

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

Visit a North Dakota Driver’s License office to change the name on your driver’s license or state ID.

You will need to provide your current state-issued ID and a certified copy of your name-change court order.

Submit a request to the North Dakota Department of Health’s Vital Records office to amend your birth certificate.

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

• letter requesting to amend gender marker on birth certificate (must be signed and dated)
• signed physician’s statement*
  
• copy of your current photo ID
• payment of applicable fees

*In practice, the North Dakota Department of Health will update your birth certificate if you submit a physician’s signed statement that indicates you have received “appropriate” medical care for your gender transition. This is different from North Dakota’s regulations that ask for proof of gender affirmation surgery.

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

Visit a North Dakota Driver’s License office to update the gender marker on your driver’s license or state ID.

You will need to provide a letter signed by a licensed medical provdier. The letter must use specific language and confirm your gender transition (in accordance witth WPATH Standards of Care).

• North Dakota DOT – Gender Designation form (PDF)