I went and got a court order changing my name. It was a breeze. I then went and changed my driver's license. No problem. Next I tried changing my name on my medical insurance. Problem. I get my insurance through my work, so insurance said I needed to change my name there. So, on to work I go. They say I have to change my name with social security first.
I gather up the documentation I have and go to the Social Security office. They are very nice but tell me they can't change my name. I wasn't born in the US, because my was overseas with the military and the documents aren't ...good enough. So, I have to get an amended Child Born Abroad of American Parents. '
I follow the steps and write out a letter and gather copies of documents. Next I need to get the letter notarized. I know someone at work can do it, so I ask around and find out who it is. I go to her and ask if she does non-work notarization and she says "sure". She starts fussing around like she doesn't know what she's doing. I worry but try to trust.
I go to the post office to mail it in. I'm trying to follow the directions about how to mail it in and get it quickly but it ends up being quite the hassle at the post office. Finally though it goes out in the mail, with an envelope with express postage so I can get it back quickly.
I wait and about 11 days later I get an envelope. I'm all hopeful but when I open it up, it's my documents, check, etc. There's a confusing form attached and it's got some things highlighted saying it wasn't properly notarized and it has to be an original signature. Ok, I get the notarization but it was my original signature. There's no name or anything so I can't call and talk to the person who processed it.
So, I go and pay a notary and get it properly notarized. I sign it again in blue ink so it's clear it's not a photocopied signature. I send it off through the mail including the same express envelope so they can send it back quickly. Today I found mail on my porch. I open it and it's my freaking paperwork returned. The same confusing form with highlights. "No fee" is highlighted. Also highlighted is "Check or money order must be made payable to Department of State" and then there's a hand written note saying "return voided check".
I don't understand. I don't know if I've done something stupid that I just can't see. My dyslexia and other processing issues makes forms very hard. But when I look at the check I wrote it for the correct amount to the Department of State and it's got a void stamp all over it. I just don't get it. I don't know what I did wrong so how can I fix it. And am I just going to send it back and in another 10 days I get the same paperwork down with some other issue. My phone number is all over the paperwork. Why can't they just freaking call me if there's a problem so there isn't this huge delay. That makes it so much worse. I'm just sitting here while it goes off to Virginia and who knows what happens.
I have health issues (besides trans* stuff) and so I have prescriptions and so I keep getting paperwork and addressed by my stupid birth name. I want to get rid of it. Everything else is moving forward but I'm stuck with this stupid name I hate. And I don't just hate it because of trans* issues.
It's probably stupid how upset this is making me. I can't seem to cry anymore. I want to hit something. I want to give up. This whole process is making me feel helpless.
