changing name legally but not listing reason as trans

[catsandmaps]

hi so i have my court date for my name change already and while i have a letter form my therapist i did not when i filed the petition, so i listed the reason just personal reasons and not Because Im Transgender which isnt a lie.

The thing is i have an appt for the endocrinologist to go on T next week and my court date is in a month. I'm worried that because i listed the reason for a name change as personal and not "because i want to live as the opposite gender" (ugh) that because i am transgender it may affect the outcome negatively.

Also the name im changing to the first name is a very very uncommon name (i sorta made it up) and it could be "gender neutral" the two middle names are stereotypical boy names and i am also changing my last name. also im non binary which isnt really realevant but its me.

i hope that it will all go okay, im just unsure because although i am transgender thats not necessarily the reason that im changing my name and i hope it doesnt affect anything

if anyone has any experience or advice or anything id be forever greatful

[Emileeeee]

Prince changed his name to a symbol. Most actors also don't use their birth names. I don't think it'll be an issue.

[Jacqueline]

catsandmaps,

I wanted to interrupt your thread to welcome you to the site. It's a good question that a few other members with a lot of legal experience can answer.

I wanted to pass along some links to info we share with newly posting members. It includes information and the Terms of Service, the rules of the site. if you have not taken a moment, please read them now:

Things that you should read

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)
Reputation rules	News posting & quoting guidelines	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy

Once again, welcome to Susan's. Now, back to your thread already in progress.

With warmth,

Joanna

[Rebecca]

If your name is comfortable to you then it's your name.

Nobody can argue with that and made up is cool too so bonus points for that.

[Hikari]

I think you could argue that you are legitimately changing your name for personal reasons, you might be changing gender but, that doesn't have to be the only reason.

[Loved_PrincessMPLS]

If your name is comfortable to you then it's your name.

Nobody can argue with that and made up is cool too so bonus points for that.

Jerrica and I were just having a similar conversation on another thread, and I agree with her 100%. If you like your name, if it feels right when you hear it spoken in your head and when others speak it to you, and if it's truly something that has value to you, who is anyone to judge you and who is any court of law judge to deny you?

I don't know where you live or what the name change requirements are for your area, but I can't foresee a problem based on what you've told us.

Hugs,

Princess

[Tysilio]

Rules differ from place to place, but where I am, a lot of people just say "This name fits me better," or something to that effect. At my hearing, that was the reason given by both the ftm buddy of mine who happened to have the same court date, and also by some random cis guy. Another guy was there with his family to change their last name. The reason he gave was that their mail went astray a lot because so many other people in their apartment building were also named Ali. The judge thought that was a perfectly good reason.  As long as they don't think you're trying to defraud anyone, they're happy with pretty much any reason you give them.