To go or not to go by my birth name?

[JR15]

I'm making a website fr myself and I'm getting confused whether to go with my birth name or chosen name. I really want to go with my chosen name since eventually I will change it to that but for now I have to stick with my chosen name which a majority of people know me by.

The websites main purpose is to work with clients for graphic design so it's people that don't necessarily know me. What do I dooo

[wheat thins are delicious]

What exactly is the purpose of this website?  Are you using it to get hired, like a portfolio.  Is it something you will get paid through, where they will hagfe to make payments to you birthname? Maybe a compromise of having your name like this ChosenName LastName and then in your bio on the site (if you are having one) have Birthname "ChosenName" Lastname was born.... etc.

[insideontheoutside]

Pick a company name to go under. Plenty of freelancers do this. Get a DBA and all that and then do the website under that name. You can also get a bank account under the business name to get paid and still have your birth name on it as an authorized person on the business account. Then when you do change your name, just bring in all your name change paperwork and the bank will handle it. Then you can tell your clients your chosen name from the get go.

[Arch]

IOTO's idea seems pretty wonderful...but can you change your name now?

[JR15]

thanks insideontheoutside great idea. i'm actually going that route right now for my site. BUT i did open a small buss. account and DBA under my birth name, do you think i'll be able to change that? and say i finished a job with a client, would they write a check payable to my name or the business name?

and arch, i actually thought about that. right now just searching about the process of it all. probably only thing stopping me  is parents although i am 21, just considering their feelings, and money. idk if you can answer this for me, but if you could thatd be great. do you know if you have to be an american citizen to change name in california? i am a permanent resident, but in the process of becoming an american citizen since my mom became a citizen when i was younger. (i suppose if youre under the age of 13 or something and your parent(s) obtains citizenship the child is automatically a citizen too) so, idk maybe my info is wrong, but if you know anything about that let me know

[Arch]

I don't know the answer to your question, but you might check out the Transgender Law Center. They're California-based. They have lots of resources about name change; if you still don't find the info you need, you can always e-mail them. www.transgenderlawcenter.org

[insideontheoutside]

The DBA should be your business name, not your name. Your name is only associated with it on the bank account as the "owner" of the account.

[Felix]

IOTO's idea seems pretty wonderful...but can you change your name now?

Totally going to start calling him IOTO now.

(object now or forever hold your peace, friend)

[insideontheoutside]

Totally going to start calling him IOTO now.

(object now or forever hold your peace, friend)

HA I just saw this. Yeah that's fine lol

[Felix]

HA I just saw this. Yeah that's fine lol

Awesome.