Identity Document Assistance (IDA) Network

Identity Document Assistance (IDA) Network

MTPC’s Identity Document Assistance Network (IDA Network) provides guidance, support and financial assistance for trans, nonbinary, and gender expansive people living in New England who are seeking to update their legal name and/or gender on federal and state documents. Not everyone needs an attorney’s assistance in this process, but it can still be very overwhelming and complicated so we’re here to help! While MTPC does not currently provide legal representation or legal counsel, we will refer you to an appropriate legal resource if necessary.

More detailed guides for adults and minors coming late 2023!

Need help changing your legal name / gender marker? Check out Namesake!

MTPC has partnered with Namesake Collaborative, a Massachusetts-based trans-led business, to create Namesake, an innovative and affirming platform to streamline the legal name and gender marker change process for trans and nonbinary people in Massachusetts!

Namesake Collaborative was founded in 2021 by Luke Lennon (they/he/any) after they struggled through the legal name and gender marker change process firsthand. Luke is a white transmasc nonbinary queer who has years of experience in the tech and startup worlds, and is passionate about the intersections of technology, social justice, and community. Read more about Namesake.

MTPC and Namesakes partnership was made possible in part by a grant from the American Bar Endowment.

Financial Assistance

MTPC provided financial assistance for those who can not afford a name and gender marker change on state and federal identity documents. These fees can exceed $400, depending on the steps, making access difficult for many in our community.