LEGAL NAME AND SEX CHANGE QUESTION

[Ejo]

I ATTEND A SUPPORT GROUP AND THE OTHER EVENING AN ATENDEE SAID THET WHEN SHE LEGALY CHANGED HER NAME (BOTH FIRST AND LAST) AND SEX SHE LOST ALL OF HER PAST CREDIT HISTORY AND HAD TO START FROM SCRATCH. SHE IS NOW USING A PRE PAID CREDIT CARD TO ATTEMPT TO REBUILD HER CREDIT. SHE CAN'T FINANCE ANYTHING.  I ASKED HER IF SHE HAD CONTACTED THE CREDIT BUREAUS AND SHE SAID NO. I WONDER IF THAT IS THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I WOULD HATE GO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE SAME THING WHEN I LEGALY CHANGE MY NAME AND GENDER WITH MY EXCELLENT CREDIT RATING. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED TO HER, OR DOES THIS HAPPEN TO EVERYBODY? ANY INPUT FROM ANYONE? THANKS IN ADVANCE!

[Dena]

The financial companies like banks and credit card companies didn't pass the information on to the credit reporting companies. The solutions is to contact each of the three credit card companies and see what it would take to correct the records. A good place to  start would be Anual Credit Report as this is the only free site and they will not use your information to spam you.

[Susan]

When I changed my info my old and new credit reports were separate and I had to build new credit. I probably could have asked the credit agency to do a merge and rename but didn't bother.

[Sydney_NYC]

You don't have to build a new credit history. (Gender is not even on credit reports.) You just need to change your name on any existing accounts (credit card, car loan/lease, mortgage) and they will start reporting you credit history in your new name after a few months. After a few months notify the 3 credit reporting agencies by letter. Here is the format I used:

Date

Equifax
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374

TransUnion LLC
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19022

Experian
National Consumer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 2002
Allen, TX 75013



Re: Request to change name on credit report

Dear Sir or Madam:

My credit information with your company current is currently held under my previous name: Full previous name. However, I have recently changed my name and now am legally known as: Full new name.

This letter is my formal request that you change your records to reflect my new legal name.

If you have any questions about these changes, you can contact me by mail at my new address or by telephone at work phone number during business hours.

I also am enclosing a copy of my court order. This will verify my name change and ensure accurate spelling on my updated credit report.

Thank you for your prompt attention to my request.

Your Signature
Your Typed Name
Your Address
City, State and ZIP Code

Enclosure:  Court order (copy)

Then within a month or two you can apply for credit under your new name. I did this and didn't have any issues. One thing is that your old name will show up as an alias for about 7-10 years after the last thing was reported by a creditor with your old name. That's why it's important to change ANY active account.

[femfem]

I ATTEND A SUPPORT GROUP AND THE OTHER EVENING AN ATENDEE SAID THET WHEN SHE LEGALY CHANGED HER NAME (BOTH FIRST AND LAST) AND SEX SHE LOST ALL OF HER PAST CREDIT HISTORY AND HAD TO START FROM SCRATCH. SHE IS NOW USING A PRE PAID CREDIT CARD TO ATTEMPT TO REBUILD HER CREDIT. SHE CAN'T FINANCE ANYTHING.  I ASKED HER IF SHE HAD CONTACTED THE CREDIT BUREAUS AND SHE SAID NO. I WONDER IF THAT IS THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I WOULD HATE GO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE SAME THING WHEN I LEGALY CHANGE MY NAME AND GENDER WITH MY EXCELLENT CREDIT RATING. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED TO HER, OR DOES THIS HAPPEN TO EVERYBODY? ANY INPUT FROM ANYONE? THANKS IN ADVANCE!

No worries---I heard you just fine!  Anyway, I've experienced the same phenomenon, which is good because, amid homelessness two years ago, my mom hid bills from me and chose not to pay them.  It made my credit score almost low beyond repair, which is bad if you're young and need to lease an apartment.

Lo-and-behold, after having gotten my name and gender marker legally changed, I have like a new identity or something.  It's really strange.

K.C.

[Barb99]

I changed my name in May last year, checked my credit in July and bought a new car in August. All three credit agencies were up to date with my new name and my entire 45 year credit history was intact. I never had to contact any of the agencies.