Curious about name change

[sarahb]

I'm just curious about getting my name changed. If I don't plan on going full time for another 6-8 months or so, what would happen if I get my name legally changed now but still kept my current drivers license and IDs and used it until I do go fulltime? It seems like whatever I do all they need is to see my ID and they don't really validate for legality. In what case would someone actually find out or care what my LEGAL name is, if all I have to show them is my license?

Does anyone have experience with this or any information on what implications this could cause?

Thanks, Sarah

[seldom]

Generally speaking its a bad idea to do it.
You want to change everything at once.  There can be issues if you change your name and keep using your old one.  It could show up in background checks and other things.  Wait until you are ready to go full time. 

The reason why, is it is better when you go into to change your license that your court document is recent.  In fact in some states there is a timing requirement from when you change your name to when you get a new license. 
So don't bother until you are ready to change all your documents. 

[Dennis]

It'll depend on where you live. I did my name change about 4 months before I changed my ID because I was going to travel to the US and the last thing I needed was a mixed set of ID and I didn't trust that I'd get it all back changed in time. I didn't have a problem during that time.

Dennis

[Renae.Lupini]

From the day that my name change was legal to the last document change was less than a month. It is advisable to have everything with the same name on it regardless of the gender presentation you go with.  It is one of those better safe than sorry ideals.

[LostInTime]

Go to your local DMV website and look up their statutes on changing the name on your license. Some States have a time period built into it like (for example) 60 days. So before the 60 days are up you would need to hit the social security first and then the DMV. Now I have never heard of anyone who has waited overly long before getting docs changed over so I have no idea if the local .gov might get upset and prosecute someone who does not follow the rules.

I advise against it because it can be difficult to have the dual identity like that. Trust me, I know. Find out how long it takes and then within a couple of weeks of going FT, go and get it done.

[katia]

my advice; wait until you're ready and then proceed with the changes.

[sarahb]

Really the only reason I would do this is so that I'm not slammed with all this stuff that I have to do once I go fulltime, so getting some of it out of the way sooner seemed like it might make it easier. At the risk of possible complications I'll probably just wait to do it a couple weeks or at most a month before I plan on going fulltime.

Thanks for the advice!

Sarah

[Lisbeth]

In Minnesota you are legally required to get a new driver's license within 30 days of changing your name.