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Name Change advice

Started by xAmy, July 09, 2017, 10:14:40 AM

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xAmy

I've been trying to change my name but I'm getting confused of what exactly I need to do for it to be fully official. Is there anyone here that can tell me simply what I need to do to be able to change it for everything including bank etc. Thanks :D
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KathyLauren

The procedures will vary depending on where you live.  Each state/province/country has its own rules.  So you will need to find out locally for your own area what the procedures are, i.e. what forms to fill in, who to contact, etc.

In general you would start with a legal name change.  This might be a bureaucratic thing, just filling in forms, or it might involve an appearance before a judge. 

Once you have the legal name change, then you have to contact each place where you have an account to change your name separately.  The legal name change document does not automatically update anyone else's records.  What it does is give you the evidence you need to make the change.

Some places, like online stores, discussion forums, social media, etc, will not require documentation.  So you can change your name in those places before you have your legal name change.  Other places, such as banks, driver's license, tax office, etc. will require a copy of your legal name change.

The place to start is to research your own state's rules for a name change.  Most places nowadays have this information online, so Google is your friend in this.

You should also contact LGBT or trans groups in your area, because people there will already know what your local procedures are.
2015-07-04 Awakening; 2015-11-15 Out to self; 2016-06-22 Out to wife; 2016-10-27 First time presenting in public; 2017-01-20 Started HRT!!; 2017-04-20 Out publicly; 2017-07-10 Legal name change; 2019-02-15 Approval for GRS; 2019-08-02 Official gender change; 2020-03-11 GRS; 2020-09-17 New birth certificate
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Megan.

Hi Amy,  if you're in the UK,  I recently did mine,  happy to share info. This was a good place to start for me: https://uktrans.info/namechange


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Maybebaby56

Hi Amy,

You don't say where you live, or even what country you are in, so it's impossible to give specific advice. If you live in the US, a very useful site is the Transgender Law Center (https://transgenderlawcenter.org/resources/id/id-please).

They are in California, but they list requirements or resources for many states and I personally used their guide to get me started (I was born in California and currently live in Virginia). With most states, the process usually starts with a petition to the Circuit or Superior Court in the county in which you reside.  The requirements for filing the petition very considerably from state to state. 

For me, the sequence involved (1) Name change petition with the Circuit court; (2) a trip to the Social Security Administration office with my certified copy of the court order to get my name and gender changed (the gender change involves additional paperwork, namely a notarized letter from your physician/surgeon stating that appropriate medical treatment has begun); (3) with the court order and medical letter, I was able to go to the Virginia Dept. of Motor Vehicles and get a new license with my correct name and gender; (4) with my new Driver's License, and medical documentation I applied for a new US Passport. And finally, (5) because I was born in California, I was able to apply for an amended birth certificate, showing my new name and gender using my driver's license and passport as supporting documents. 

Hope that helps.

With kindness,

Terri
"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives" - Annie Dillard
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