Name before diagnosis

[Mirath]

Hey everyone,

So a few times in other groups I've seen people dance around the wording that makes it sound like you need a diagnosis of gender dysphoria before you can even change your name in the UK.

How true is this, or is the diagnosis only if you want to change the gender marker?

[tgchar21]

In the UK anyone can change their name by a "deed poll" so you don't need any medical proof to change your name - the gender marker may be different (I don't live there, but I do know the basics on a name change in the UK).

[KathyLauren]

In most jurisdictions, probably including the UK, anyone can change their name for any non-fraudulent reason.  I don't know the rules there, so you should confirm that, but it seems unlikely that they would require a diagnosis.

You can't change the gender marker on your birth certificate in the UK without a Gender Recognition Certificate, which requires a diagnosis of gender dysphoria.  Basically, that means two years of RLE or being post-surgical, whichever comes first.  This one I know, because I have a UK birth certificate.

[Mirath]

Brilliant, thank you both, I was starting to get confused