Who can and can't see my deadname after it's legally changed? [US, Michigan]

[JackintheBox]

Hey folks, I'm new here and created my account just to ask this. I'm having a really hard time finding information online.

I was born in and currently live in Michigan. In January of 2023, at the age of 18, I had my name and gender legally changed on everything I had. My ID, my birth certificate, my SSN profile, and my high school records before I got my diploma. I didn't have a driver's license at the time and because I was under 22yo I didn't need to give finger prints. I also have a clean criminal record. Sadly, I did have to publish a newspaper about my court hearing, but it didn't share any details other than the date and my deadname (which was my legal name at the time).

I'm currently 19yo and I've done a lot to remain as stealth as possible. However, one of my fears is someone finding out my deadname. It's obviously a very feminine girl's name, I couldn't play it off as a name I changed just because I hated it. Who can and can't see it? I figured government officials can obviously see it, but can cops see it just by running my plates? Can employers see it when running a background check? Can the public see it by looking at public records?

I've tried using free background check services and have yet to find anything. But I'm unsure how much better paid background checks are. I used the official Michigan public records search, but it doesn't allow for name change records to be shown. So I'm at a loss. I'd like to just live a normal life without my past coming to haunt me. Is there a way I can get my name change records sealed in Michigan?

[Northern Star Girl]

  @JackintheBox
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            cc: @Sarah B
                  @LoriDee

[LoriDee]

Hello Jack!

Welcome to Susan's Place.

I had similar concerns as you. When I changed my legal name, I sent certified copies of the court order to everyone I have business with. For income, that is Social Security, Veterans Administration, and a disability pension fund. I also sent copies to the three credit bureaus TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. Then I did the same to all my creditors: Credit Union (car loan), credit card company, and bank. Then it was driver's license, vehicle registration, and insurance company.

It sounds like you took care of most, if not all of these too. It takes time, but as systems update and cross-check information, eventually your dead name will be buried deep in the past. It is accessible through court records because that is public information. But who is going to bother, except maybe law enforcement? But what would be the point? That is not who you are NOW and that is what they want to know.

I had a background check done last August to move into my new apartment. At that time, my name change was less than a year old, so I gave the manager a copy of the court order. That was just in case some system that I missed had not been updated yet. Now, I am coming up on two years since my name change and I refuse to acknowledge my dead name. I get telemarketers calling and I just say no one here by that name and hang up.

Things may be different in Michigan, but most states operate the same way. I would say to not worry too much about it. If it comes up, just correct the record if necessary. If it isn't important (like a telemarketer for the police charity), just tell them that isn't you, or that person doesn't live there anymore.

That is my experience and I hope something in here is useful information for you. If you have more questions, feel free to ask. I will help in any way I can.

Again, welcome to Susan's!

Lori Dee

[Devlyn]

Welcome to Susan's Place, Jack!

You got me thinking, so I googled my old name, which I changed in 2016. There are plenty of traces of me left on the internet. Nothing connecting me to my name change order, though.

See you around the site!

Hugs, Devlyn

[Jessica_K]

I obviously cannot answer the question but like Devlyn I did a simple online search of my deadname. And it appears to be nearly non existent, I found just one from 22 years ago that gave my address as a company director at a house I have not lived in for 20 years. That's it.