Name Change?

[CapnKye]

I'm sorry if this is in the wrong section. I'll gladly move it if someone will tell me where.

Anyway, now that the coming out went well with my mom, I'm pumped to keep moving forward with this process.

One of the inevitable questions is: how do I change this god awful name that I was given to something I can live with?

I live in Illinois, US, and I'm not sure at all how to go about this. I would appreciate any advice or knowledge. Thanks.

[suzifrommd]

I contacted the clerk of my county court who explained the process to me. I also found a web page that described the process (that, thankfully, agreed with the what the clerk said.)

If there are other post-transition trans people in your area, they might be able to help you.

[CapnKye]

I contacted the clerk of my county court who explained the process to me. I also found a web page that described the process (that, thankfully, agreed with the what the clerk said.)

If there are other post-transition trans people in your area, they might be able to help you.

Did you explain to them that you were transgender and everything? Is that important?

[Devlyn]

Here's a complete guide, CapnKye:

https://www.susans.org/wiki/Category:Documentation_changes

Hope this helps.

Hugs, Devlyn

[JoanneB]

For the latest and greatest try http://www.equalityillinois.us/issue/transgender/. At least in Maryland I know they are fantastic.

Chicago likely has a TG clinic which likely has some level of legal advisors. I did a quick peak at Lambda Legal and didn't see that level of detail for trans rights/protections in IL.. Something like a name change is probably easily found on a state wide or regional trans group site. Some states get picky about gender specific names and may require you to go through some transition steps that are documented, like a letter from a therapist.

[CapnKye]

Here's a complete guide, CapnKye:

https://www.susans.org/wiki/Category:Documentation_changes

Hope this helps.

Hugs, Devlyn

Woah, thank you!

[CapnKye]

For the latest and greatest try http://www.equalityillinois.us/issue/transgender/. At least in Maryland I know they are fantastic.

Chicago likely has a TG clinic which likely has some level of legal advisors. I did a quick peak at Lambda Legal and didn't see that level of detail for trans rights/protections in IL.. Something like a name change is probably easily found on a state wide or regional trans group site. Some states get picky about gender specific names and may require you to go through some transition steps that are documented, like a letter from a therapist.

That's awesome! Thank you. I think Kyler is unisex? I think. Oh well. I'll look through it. Thank you!

[Devlyn]

Woah, thank you!

No, thank the Wiki Staff, they pulled all the information together for us.

Hugs, Devlyn

[suzifrommd]

Did you explain to them that you were transgender and everything? Is that important?

No. It shouldn't be important. We have as much right as anyone to change our names for any reason.

[tgchar21]

Some states get picky about gender specific names and may require you to go through some transition steps that are documented, like a letter from a therapist.

They shouldn't - otherwise the courts would be setting up for a precedent that could affect even what a parent can name their baby. (When a judge tries to give a TG/TS a hard time, it's usually just the judge's prejudice and would usually be reversed upon appeal. As long as there is no suspicion of fraud or other illegal activity there's no reason for a name change to be denied merely because the name is more common for the opposite gender.)