(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that effective Monday, January 27, 2020, the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has changed its gender designation policy and is now offering a non-binary gender option on driver’s licenses and non-driver identification cards.
Under this new policy, residents will have the option of selecting “X – non-binary” as a gender identification on licenses and ID cards, in addition to “female” or “male.” Updates to existing licenses and ID cards can be processed beginning today at license partner locations, such as AAA, and starting Tuesday at state DMV offices.
“We have a responsibility as a state government to be inclusive across our customer experiences,” Governor Lamont said. “This option on license applications tells all Connecticut residents that we are welcoming and that we are open for business.”
“This is a major step forward to recognize that many people in our state don’t identify with a gender,” Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said. “Adding a non-binary gender or ‘X’ option on our state ID form sends a clear message that Connecticut is a place where all people will find inclusivity and acceptance. I am so proud that Connecticut is one of the first dozen states to offer this option and I want to thank Commissioner Magubane, Deputy Commissioner Guerrera, and everyone at DMV who worked to make this a reality.”
Individuals will be able to self-identify their gender designation on a DMV form and pay a $30 fee to complete the process outside of a renewal period. The policy change also applies to learner’s permits for new drivers.
“It was important for us to achieve this milestone because each and every Connecticut resident deserves to feel validated and included in the work that we do to serve their needs each and every day,” DMV Commissioner Sibongile Magubane said.
“We made getting the gender ‘X’ option on a license or ID card a top priority,” DMV Deputy Commissioner Tony Guerrera said. “We would like to thank the staff at DMV for their efforts to make this option available to the residents of Connecticut.”
**Download: DMV form to change the gender designation on a license or ID card