Changing your name legally

[Shana-chan]

How do we do it? How much does it cost and is it per letter? and does the change reflect on all our documents etc. and if so would we have to call/email each one up to get the new name shown onto the document and how would we get said new document? (Such as your birth certificate, drivers license/ID, Social security card etc.) Lastly, can a male change their name to a female name and a female to a male name? (Not just talking about those who are transgender etc. here but even just a person whose not transgender etc.)

[LordKAT]

Much of that depends on where you live. You do have to change each place that needs to know individually on your own. you normally get a court order for name change or deed poll type paper to show / send for other places to change your name.

[tgchar21]

I don't think there are any "per letter" charges anywhere! (Unless the paper you publish the notice in charges for ads that way, and in any event the cost for a longer vs. smaller name would be insignificant - most of the charge would be from the other parts of the notice.) To change documents simply contact the agency in question - some will change it with your word while others (especially ones involving what is on your ID) may require proof (with the court order).

You shouldn't have a problem with assuming a unisex or opposite-gender name even if you haven't taken any other steps on transitioning. There are a few judges that like to give trans* people a hard time, but if you think you might be assigned to one giving a reason such as you like your chosen name better is sufficient (unless you have genuine reasons for the judge to deny a name change without a strong reason for wanting to change it, such as if you have a criminal history or you have large amounts of debt that you appear to be evading). In fact, I've said before on here that if you're willing to part with calling yourself trans* and focus on the question of assuming a name that is typically used for the gender opposite of yours, the courts will have a hard time denying you the name change on that basis; doing so will have effects felt beyond the trans* community - if there becomes a legal definition of what qualifies as a "male" or "female" name then that will affect anyone with a baby to name. (I contrast that to for example a challenge to the validity of a marriage with a trans* person where the outcome would not be felt beyond those who are in or a party directly affected by such a marriage.)

[Devlyn]

You should find everything you need here: https://www.susans.org/wiki/Category:Documentation_changes

Hugs, Devlyn

[Missy~rmdlm]

I self represented in court.
In Missouri you prepare four documents:
You prepare your petition, this states your legal qualification and details for your name change.
A form to have a court date in-person. (This is a matter of learning a particular courts schedule, and scheduling at a mutually convenient time)
Your prepare your own judgement exactly as you want it written, all the judge has to do is sign this! (And it gets certified and copies filed, the original is yours to keep)
You prepare the publication application for the local paper, to be stamped by the secretary of the court. After publication has taken place that a proof of publication is taken back to court and filed, Bam: Case closed.

In Missouri to file self representation you have to fill out a sheet that you have read some materials and are competent to do this yourself. Missouri provides basic versions of filing including name change papers. As with other forms I advocate the shortest most legally bare petition possible. In my extremely conservative area I feel that any information outside of requirements may be detrimental and used against me.

Total cost $186, besides my own time and travel expenses.

[Anna++]

Lastly, can a male change their name to a female name and a female to a male name? (Not just talking about those who are transgender etc. here but even just a person whose not transgender etc.)

Yes, my name change was approved by the court before I even showed up.  All I had to do was verify my (former) name, address and age and then I was done!  (I expect the time you spend in court is based on the judge, so don't assume my experience is the norm!)