Changing MO documents out of state.

[DiedrichH]

Hi, I'm FtM. I currently live in Missouri.  I'm considering moving.  Small towns full of rather zealous people aren't really my cup of tea.  I was wondering if anyone had experience with changing their gender and/or name after moving from the state of their birth.  If I move to a different state how difficult will changing my Missouri birth certificate be?  I've been assaulted, lost friends, and faced more crap than I'd anticipated and I just want to leave it all behind.  I know that Missouri requires publication (my in-laws would flip out) and sometimes court hearings to change a name.  How would that work if I lived elsewhere?

[Denise]

I'm not an expert - nor do I play one on TV. 

I live in Indiana (30 years), born in New Jersey.

Changing Name and Gender marker is done in the state in which you live, EXCEPT birth certificate.  I don't know if there is a "you must live there for x months/years" clause.  BUT I believe a court order from another state is accepted, with some exceptions.  For example, changing the name on my NJ b.c. shouldn't be challenging, but in Indiana to change GM you don't need surgery, NJ requires it.  Therefore I would not be able to change GM on NJ birth cert until GCS - if ever.  And honestly I don't care what the BC says, I'm 55yo.

My plan is as follows, with the assumption "who the hell ever needs a Birth Cert? (Unless you are jailed in NC for using the correct bathroom"
1) name/gm change through Indiana courts (Public disclosure in news paper - who ever reads the legals?)
2) apply for passport in new name/gender
3) change Social Security information.
4) change drivers license (It's easier with SS changed apparently)
5) Spend the next +5 years changing everything else over.