DIY Name Change?

[Dora]

I contacted a lawyer to ask how much it would cost for a name change. Is responded, probably just a few hours, around $500.00.

So I started to do some more in depth research on it and I found a state website that had the forms I needed with basic instructions on how to fill them out and submit. Cost is $79.00 plus cost of publishing in the local paper. The process doesn't seem all that complicated, but they did have the following at the top of the page:

The procedure for legally changing your name is somewhat complicated. It is up to you to decide whether and how you use a lawyer in your case. The law allows you to do your own name change, which is also known as proceeding pro se (pronounced "pro-say"). This packet of forms and instructions is intended for an adult who wishes to change his or her name, and has resided in the county where the Petition is to be filed for at least one year before filing the Petition.

I realize different states have different processes for name changes, but I was wondering if anyone here has done this without a lawyer?

I live in a small community that seems to have never heard of transsexualism, let alone actually met one. So a concern I have is the judge turning me down because s/he doesn't agree with my TG status... if that happens, I'll probably need a lawyer. [sigh]

Dora

[discarded]

I did my own name change without a lawyer, when I was 19 years old.

The forms are very straight forward. The reason I put for requesting the change is that I wanted a name that was more appropriate for my gender. Don't feel like you have to give TOO much information.

You do have to do a background/criminal check and that may influence whether you actually see a judge, but I couldn't be for certain on that. I did not have any tickets or anything, so I wasn't even required to see the judge that approved it.

Once it was approved I ran the notice in a not-so-popular but approved newspaper for 3 consecutive days. Once I brought the approved filing, plus proof that the ad ran, it was approved and I was given the proper paperwork to take to the DMV and so on.

This was all in Colorado...it may be different for you. My overall cost was about $60 or $70 and that included the newspaper ad.

[Sandy]

I did my name change without a lawyer.  I did the research through the internet and Illinois websites.

When I appeared before the judge to change my name, he looked at me and asked if my name change had to do with my sexual orientation.

I wasn't about to lecture a judge about the difference between gender identity and sexual orientation, so I just answered yes.  He signed the papers with no other issues.

Even if you are in a smaller community, there should be no reason to deny your name change request provided you are not doing it to evade your financial or personal responsibilities.

-Sandy

[Beyond]

I think it's outrageous how difficult some states make things.  Exorbitant fees, need a lawyer, bigotted judges and incompetant or uncooperative court staff etc.  I'm glad to report my state was easy and cheap.  The grand total for all my legal stuff: name change (including driver's license) and birth certificate (including another new license-with an "F") was only $62!

[Kate]

The process for every state is different. Some are easy, some... not so much.

I used a lawyer here in PA simply because I became frustrated in trying to figure it all out, and didn't want anything to go wrong. I actually bought a name change package online to try and do it myself, but it had something like 11 forms in it, with many questions I had no idea how to answer (legalese). Plus, there seemed to be a lot of timing issues involved, searches to run, etc. In the end I paid a lawyer a queen's ransom to have her take care of everything. I just signed a form or two she mailed me, sent them back to her, and showed up in court on the appointed day.

I've read a few stories on here about judges giving people a hard time, but I had no problems whatsoever. The clerks and judge were as friendly and kind as could be.

~Kate~

[TreeFlower]

I changed my name pro se.  I posted my experience. 

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,26487.0.html