Another Name Change Question

[sneakersjay]

When filling out the form, what do you give as the reason?  Do I really need to put down that I'm transgendered?  Or what other acceptable reason is there?

Suggestions welcome!!

Jay

[Renate]

Hi Jay:

Your reason is "Common usage".  That's legalese for "all my friends call me this already, so I might as well make it legal".
In the US (I'll presume you're there), they are only concerned that you are trying to hide from debt by changing your name.
As long as you tell everybody you owe money to about this, there is no problem.
Also, there may be objections to you changing your name to something rude, obscene or with numbers in it.

I changed my name in court to Renate simply because I preferred it to my old name, transsexuality did not enter into it.

[sneakersjay]

Ok, cool.  I'm just a very literal person, so when they ask Reason: ...  I assume I have to give them my real reason.  Doh!

I have the form, I have the fee, just have to figure out where to file it.  I've always hated my name and I'm not hiding from debt, so...

Jay

[Kate]

It depends on the state. PA wants to know that the reasons for the name change are in line with the interests of the state... or at least my judge wanted to know. I actually had to go to a hearing, and he asked me why I was changing it as part of the standard process (and laughed in a good natured way while asking me, as it was bloody obvious WHY, lol)...

I just gave a very short answer about, "to acquire a more gender appropriate name as part of the medical process of changing my sex."

He said, "I find your reasons are valid and in the interests of the state..." and that was that.

I actually don't remember what was written on the forms themselves, as I had a lawyer do it all for me.

~Kate~

[Benjamin]

Ok, cool.  I'm just a very literal person, so when they ask Reason: ...  I assume I have to give them my real reason.  Doh!
Jay

Dude, you just made me laugh out loud!  I, too, am very literal.  So literal, my friends say I should be a lawyer.

[MeghanAndrews]

My name change form says "Reason: Gender Reassignment" but it sounds like that might be a little too direct for you

Maybe put that you wanted a family name to honor someone or something?