Changing Name Before Transitioning?

[King Malachite]

Lately I have been wondering how I can be a bit closer to transitioning even though it will be YEARS before I can even see a gender therapist for various reasons.  Even though I'm still presenting as a female I thought about getting my name legally changed at least.  I would still keep "female" on documents etc but at least my name will be legally what I want it to be.  It's more than likely not going to happen until I begin to transition but the more I entertain the thought, the more I want it to happen sooner.  I don't know if I should just keep the name I have now and wait until I can get both my name and gender changed or at least get one of them out of the way now.

Thoughts?

[Nygeel]

I consider changing your name to be part of transitioning. I would probably come out to family and friends first, tell them how you identify and are going to get your name changed. This coming out and asking to be treated as you identify is also part of transition.

[lilacwoman]

you need to find out your state's terms for name change as just going ahead without transitioning mingth bring up all sorts of problems with taxes, socail security, passports, ID, etc etc.

[tgchar21]

you need to find out your state's terms for name change as just going ahead without transitioning mingth bring up all sorts of problems with taxes, socail security, passports, ID, etc etc.

As long as you're not showing signs that you are trying to commit fraud you shouldn't have a problem getting the court order or changing those documents name-wise (obviously changing the gender marker will have to wait until you meet the requisites for such). If you're still young and don't have much or anything tied to your old name (e.g. credit, work history) another benefit of an "early" name change is it may help cut back on the need to out yourself when checking such records in the future (of course if you've already established your career, credit history, etc., when you change your name will probably have minimal effect on future stealth-ability).

[King Malachite]

@Nygeel My dad and sister know I am trans but they pretty much expressed to me they will never adknowledge it and with always see me as female.  From the hints I've dropped to my mom she knows and does't accept it but if I came out officially to her then there's a chance I could get kicked out and have no where to go while still trying to manage college.  I at least want to have some stability before I can come out to her. 

@lilacwoman I am aware the things I may need to get changed and I don't mind changing them but like what tgchar21 said I shouldn't have a problem changing the name at least because I am not trying to do anything illegal and I don't have much tied to my old name so that would save me a lot of red tape.

[caseyyy]

I changed my name before transitioning, I'm very happy with the decision.

[Adio]

Like Nygeel, I also see changing your name as a part of transitioning.  If your mom would kick you out for being trans, changing your name to something more masculine probably isn't a good idea.  Wouldn't they be curious why you choose a new name, especially a masculine one?  What sort of non-trans reason could you give them?

[King Malachite]

I still working on that part lol. I would probably just say "because I feel like it" or "I wanted an anime name."  Maybe by the time I can save up enough money to move out I can get my name and other stuff changed before hand.  I don't know.  I just feel so powerless at the moment.