Ohio BMV ends acceptance of medical forms for gender marker changes

The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) has abruptly stopped accepting a gender change declaration form that has been in use since 2009. Previously, transgender residents could update the gender marker on their driver’s licenses or state IDs by submitting a form signed by a medical or mental health provider.

Under the new policy, individuals must now update their birth certificate or passport to reflect their gender identity before the BMV will change the marker on state-issued identification. This change follows a budget signed in June by Governor Mike DeWine.

Dwayne Steward, Executive Director of Equality Ohio, criticized the sudden shift, stating that the lack of transparency and the added requirement of updating birth certificates—which are only processed in certain Ohio counties—makes the process significantly more difficult. Steward expressed concerns that the move could serve as a form of voter suppression, though he noted that an outdated gender marker does not legally prevent an individual from voting.