Changing last name

[ImagineKate]

I think I may end up doing so. Reason being so I can live semi stealth if I can. I may go with my mom's maiden name. It also sounds better.

Anyone had any issues with doing so? I mean from a legal standpoint. Did it cause any issues with say financial stuff?

[StrykerXIII]

I'll be following this...I want to ditch my last name, purely because it's not even safe to speak it in my home town. Too many people want a piece of me thanks to a lying, clinically insane ex.

[Rotika]

i have no experience with it. But.. just curious why you'd want to get rid of your father's last name? idk.. I thought about doing the same things years back. But realized it would later be a regretted decision.

[Muffinheart]

I ditched my last name and opted for a new one without hesitation.

[ImagineKate]

i have no experience with it. But.. just curious why you'd want to get rid of your father's last name? idk.. I thought about doing the same things years back. But realized it would later be a regretted decision.

1. I never liked it. It was mocked all through school.

2. Mom's maiden has a better ring to it with my choices of names (yes I'm still on the fence wrt name choice).

3. It's easier to go stealth that way. (I probably won't be able to nor do I have a desire to go deep stealth but the idea of some degree of stealth is appealing). This is Lynn Conway's advice more or less.

I know one girl (well, older woman, she's in her 60s, transitioned in her 50s) who did it. She's still married to her spouse who has her old last name.

The only regret I will have is my kids not having my last name but divorced women who revert and married women who keep their last name have this same dilemma, so...

[Greeneyedrebel]

The process will vary depending on where you live, but I changed everything and have had no trouble.

In the US, if you are working, the employer will have to re-verify your I9. This is something to do with citizenship/legal to work, and in order to do it they need the name change order and your new Social Security card. Until they get that stuff, payroll likely won't be updated.

BUT, as long as the bank account number stays the same direct deposits work the same. If you have changed the name on your bank account before payroll changes your name and you don't have direct deposit, the bank may need to know what's up since a physical check with a name other than the name on your account being deposited could be an issue.

Otherwise, just submit the certified copy of the name change order to wherever you need to.

[tgchar21]

For the most part you shouldn't have any additional issues with changing your last name. An exception might be when trying to get the name change if you have reasons against you that would be legitimate for a judge to deny the petition without a good reason (e.g. you have a felony record or huge debts), and the judge might deny the last name change if he/she suspects you may be trying to fraudulently hide those issues (you have a solid reason to change your first/middle names, but less so with your last name).

Another benefit of changing your last name if you're looking for some degree of stealth: When forms like job applications ask for any other names you've used, and they have no practical reason in your case to know your full former name, you can usually get by with just putting down the old last name unless asked specifically for a full name (and since you're transitioning to female treat it like a maiden or previous married name). This is a variation of what one transman on here once suggested when he just put his former initials down since they were different - I came up with an even better idea that would work well for transwomen. (If they do need to know the full name to properly know about your history, such as if you've been convicted of a crime under the old name or they need to contact an institution that only has you down as such, then what I said doesn't apply since doing so may be construed as to be trying to conceal a relevant part of your past - especially with criminal history checks and the like.)

[FTMax]

I asked the lawyers I met with last night how common that was and if it took longer to process, and they said it didn't present any additional issues. I decided not to go with it at the moment, but at least legally I know it's not a big deal. I doubt banks or creditors would have an issue with it either as long as you've got the court order to back it up.

[Tysilio]

I'll be changing both first and last names. The current one is just... annoying, because people always get it wrong, and my father isn't around any more to mind my dropping it. I'll be taking one from my mother's side of the family, not because I was fond of her (so not!!), but because I think I'd have liked my great-grandfather a lot -- and it's a super easy name.

One does need to notify creditors, utilities, banks, etc., and get the deed changed on any property one owns. In my state, if you own property, you need to bring the deed with you to your name change hearing.

I asked the folks at my bank about it, and they said it's no problem to change the name on bank accounts. All they need is a copy of the court order and to record your new signature; the account numbers will stay the same.

[ImagineKate]

The process will vary depending on where you live, but I changed everything and have had no trouble.

In the US, if you are working, the employer will have to re-verify your I9. This is something to do with citizenship/legal to work, and in order to do it they need the name change order and your new Social Security card. Until they get that stuff, payroll likely won't be updated.

BUT, as long as the bank account number stays the same direct deposits work the same. If you have changed the name on your bank account before payroll changes your name and you don't have direct deposit, the bank may need to know what's up since a physical check with a name other than the name on your account being deposited could be an issue.

Otherwise, just submit the certified copy of the name change order to wherever you need to.

Payroll and HR basically has said that they need a copy of the name change court order and new photo ID. I-9s aren't needed to reverify for a name change and they don't do it. It is only reverified if you are on temporary status like H1B and your visa is renewed. I am not. I am a US citizen (and USCIS says explicity that US citizens should not be re-verified). Besides I think they only are required to keep them on file for 3 years. I might just ask them to get a new one though because they probably have it in a file somewhere and it would be nice to get it updated... but I'm not sticking around here for long post transition.