Caitlyn Jenner Can Legally Change Her Name And Gender, Judge Rules

A judge has just given Caitlyn Jenner legal approval to formally change her name and gender.

On Friday, L.A. County Superior Court Judge Gerald Rosenberg approved Jenner's request —made earlier this month—to legally be declared a woman, reports the L.A. Times. The court approval means that her birth name of William Bruce Jenner will be replaced by her new name Caitlyn Marie Jenner. It also means that she can obtain documents with her new identity, including a Social Security card and Driver's license.

To petition the official change in court, Jenner had to submit a standard background check and medical declaration. She told the Associated Press earlier this month that she wished to make the change formal "to better match my identity."

Many of the details of petition to make the change were redacted over privacy concerns and due to threats Jenner reports receiving during her transition.

In a sworn declaration, Jenner explained, "Although public support for my transition has been overwhelmingly supportive, I am also receiving unwelcome negative attention from private citizens, including threats of bodily harm."