So today I changed my name and gender on my driver's license and with social security.
This is so going in the "why are you happy today" mtf thread.
Anyhow, being being all pumped, I would have to say that I missed a few details in going to do this that I thought would be handy for others to know especially if you are doing this in Washington State.
First thing first. There is an awesome group of people with a fantastically helpful site, Ingersoll Gender Center
http://ingersollcenter.org/These awesome folks have a transitioning guide that has links to forms and all that jazz. Still, I was a little dense and missed some stuff. My male friends are of course taking liberties with any mental mistakes.
You will need a few things from your medical doctor. It seemed I needed her rather than my therapist to do this. Anyhow, your doctor has to fill out a form for your driver's license gender change. You also need some letters from her that states you have completed transition and are approved for use of new name and new gender identity. I got this stuff first just to have it ready to whip out. That way if somebody starts with, "So you say you want to be a wom.." I could interrupt with a "Shazam! Read this! Damn right I do!" ok, so that didn't happen but I was ready...
1. District court name change order
- Petition for name change (
http://www.kingcounty.gov/courts/district-court/name-changes.aspx) - costs $170 + $5 per copy. Has to be cash. Seriously. It has to be cash. lets do the time warp again.......
takes 6-8 weeks to record at the recorder's office
- photo ID
- may need a copy of birth certificate I'm told, but I didn't.
This was pretty straightforward. Get copies for things like social security, passport, birth certificate, framing, etc... You have to get there ahead of a set time, ask the clerk to be added to the docket. Hand over your cash and forms. Then you wait. You wait until the court hearing which for me 3 hours later. At that time you sit in the court room and they call your name. You swear to tell the whole truth, nothing but the truth etc... The judge asks if you really want to change your name, confirms the info, and unless you do something stupid are done. You go back out to the clerk and she gives you the court order.
2. Driver's License update
- Approved district court name change order. You need this from step 1
- Change of Gender Designation request DOL form. This is the thing you needed your doctor to fill out that I mentioned before step 1
- copy of current drivers license
mail the above items to the address noted on the change of gender designation request:
Programs and Services, Driver Records
Department of Licensing
PO Box 9030
Olympia WA 98507-9030
So be warned that this takes like nearly 2 weeks, or rather it did for me. If you are trying to schedule things I'd suggest you be sure to send this at least 2 weeks in advance of when you will need it. So after the letter comes back, you take it to a DOL office with your current license and $10. Bring along another copy of the court order. Somehow the one I sent in the mail was not sufficient or maybe I didn't need to send it. Anyhow, they didn't keep this second one I showed them but they needed to see it. Then you get a paper print card and the real laminated one comes in the mail a week later or so.
3. Social Security - need to go to the social security office with the following docs
- letter from doctor that you have completed your transition
- court order for name change
- identity such as a driver's license with new identity. IMPORTANT: they don't accept that paper print of your license that you get when you request a license update. They only accept the laminated one. If you don't have it yet, like I didn't, you can use a passport, even with the old name, or a birth certificate.
- social security card - I didn't need this but it's recommended.
So after you get through the process it can be a couple of days before the changes are reflected in the system. I had hoped it was the same day. I think it might be same day normally but the printers were busted at the office I went to. After a week or so you will get a new card, or rather I will. If you are also in this boat then IMPORTANT: take a piece of paper, write your new name on it, tape this name inside your mail box. If you don't have this, your card won't be delivered.
Also, and this caught me by surprise, I got in the car after everything and was suddenly so happy I teared up. It was like I had permission to be me. I'm still on the happy train.
So there will be more to come for birth certificate and passport but I need my social security stuff first.
Also, for you to change your identity with your employer you will probably need that new social security card. I wanted to minimize the time where things were in flux but it appears I can't go quicker than a week.
Anyhow, if that helps anybody, then awesome.
