Ohio BMV Revises Gender Marker Update Requirements to Align with State Law

The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles announced a policy change that now mandates an updated birth certificate or passport for transgender people seeking to modify the sex marker on their driver’s license or state ID. According to BMV spokesman Lindsey Bohrer, the agency determined that Form 2369 does not meet the requirements of Ohio Revised Code Sec. 9.05, which defines how sex must be recorded. The revised rule directs the bureau to reflect the sex listed on the official birth certificate or passport.

Republican State Rep. Brian Stewart highlighted the amendment as a sensible provision included in the latest budget, which Governor Mike DeWine signed. LGBTQ+ advocacy outlets criticized the decision, noting the absence of prior notification. Probate Judge Puffenberger, who handles birth certificate updates, indicated his office has processed dozens of gender marker changes since 2025 and expects to manage any increase in requests.