Name/Gender change

[Randy]

So, I was thinking about making a legal name change soon, but I'm wondering if it might be better to wait a bit longer. I want to (hopefully) have top surgery before the year is out, at which time I'd be changing the gender marker on all my documents. Do you think it'd really be worth it to change everything twice, or should I wait? 

[sneakersjay]

I changed my name and gender on my driver's license several months before top surgery.  Now, with Dr. Brownstein's letter, I just have to do SS and passport.  I didn't change my info yet with those agencies.


Jay

[icontact]

Emme: Yes, just top surge, which is good especially as many FtMs opt not to have bottom surge.

[sneakersjay]

I appologize if this is an insensitive question, but is top surgery all that is required for FtMs to change gender markers?  I'm assuming taking T is already a given at that point.

Gender marker on my license required a letter from a therapist.  Some states require the surgeon's letter for this.

Surgeon's letter required for SS and passport.  Top surgery suffices.

Birth certificate: depends on the state.  Some want an explicit letter detailing the exact surgery; others the top surgery letter suffices.

I may or may not change my BC.  First issue if I change it: I can't prove I'm my children's mother without a long paper trail.

Jay

[Buffy]

I may or may not change my BC.  First issue if I change it: I can't prove I'm my children's mother without a long paper trail.

Jay

In the UK this issue is specifically adressed in the Gender Recognition Act 2004, in that regardless of change of gender on birth certificate, legally you are your children's parent according to your birth sex.

I am still my children's legal father and as such continue to pay Child support maintenance (and so it should be)

Rebecca

[Mister]

top surgery isn't actually sufficient for SS.  A nicely worded letter that states that your sexual reassignment is complete is sufficient. Not all surgeons will write a letter stating that your surgical process is complete unless you've had a hysterectomy.  Brownstein writes his letters so that you can change your identity documents, but not all surgeons will.  Ask before you have surgery- that'd would be a bad surprise.

[mickie88]

I may or may not change my BC.  First issue if I change it: I can't prove I'm my children's mother without a long paper trail.

Jay

in ohio thats so not a problem since they don't change anything just staple an amendment to it, so everyone that can get access to your records knows who you used to be. i'm going to try and have mine sealed but i'm sure it might cost me an arm and leg literally.

[Mister]

I may or may not change my BC.  First issue if I change it: I can't prove I'm my children's mother without a long paper trail.

Jay

in ohio thats so not a problem since they don't change anything just staple an amendment to it, so everyone that can get access to your records knows who you used to be. i'm going to try and have mine sealed but i'm sure it might cost me an arm and leg literally.

Why bother?  Get your gender changed with SS and apply for a passport.  It provides every bit of info that your birth certificate does and is generally considered to be a superior form of ID since it is uniform & also contains photo ID.

[Benjamin]

I may or may not change my BC.  First issue if I change it: I can't prove I'm my children's mother without a long paper trail.
Jay

Does anyone know if we're required to have our name changes (not talking about gender marker here) noted on our birth certificates?  What about marriage certificates?   

[Mister]

i'm not sure it's required.  But unless you want to attach a certified copy of your name change (which cost $15 apiece in CA) to freakin' everything....      it's probably best to change them. 

But the better question--- why would you NOT want to amend them?  I understand Jay's reasoning w/his kids, but other than that, why?

[Benjamin]

i'm not sure it's required.  But unless you want to attach a certified copy of your name change (which cost $15 apiece in CA) to freakin' everything....      it's probably best to change them. 

But the better question--- why would you NOT want to amend them?  I understand Jay's reasoning w/his kids, but other than that, why?

LOL.  Good question.  Just making sure I'm not breaking some sort of law by not having changed them yet, even though my name change was in August. 

But, also, I've been holding off because, while I do want to change them (at least, my name), I'm concerned (especially with the marriage certificate) about tinkering with anything that might threat the validity of my marriage.   

Regarding GENDER markers, though, I, for now, am not planning on changing it anywhere (yeah, it's no fun everytime I hand over an insurance card at a doctor's office  ) because, again, I have lots of concerns about messing up anything legally related to my marriage.

I'm probably being overly cautious?  But, ugh.  Lots is at stake if something went wrong.

[Mister]

Unfortunately there's no legal precedent on if a marriage is invalidated or not.  Depending on where you live in the world, you can always change your documents and get hitched somewhere that gay marriage is legal (or get straight married, depending on your current situation) and cover your ass.

[mickie88]

I may or may not change my BC.  First issue if I change it: I can't prove I'm my children's mother without a long paper trail.

Jay

in ohio thats so not a problem since they don't change anything just staple an amendment to it, so everyone that can get access to your records knows who you used to be. i'm going to try and have mine sealed but i'm sure it might cost me an arm and leg literally.

Why bother?  Get your gender changed with SS and apply for a passport.  It provides every bit of info that your birth certificate does and is generally considered to be a superior form of ID since it is uniform & also contains photo ID.

last i knew here in lovely transfriendly ohio  you have to have two letters from two different doctors stating you've had surgerym before they change anything at SS. but my therapist doesn't think it should be that hard to change it, he was listed with them as female and was born male isn't that odd?

i should be able to keep everything and so should my family cause my wife called a lawyer and said since we consummated the marriage it was still valid, even tho i was trans.

[Mister]

SS standards aren't state by state so it doesn't matter if you're in Ohio or Guam.

In order to change your gender with social security, you need a letter from a surgeon stating that "sexual reassignment is complete."  They don't need details.  Hell, they don't *want* details.  I know MTFs who have changed their gender with SS with trach shaves, BA's, FFS, etc.  It's all in your surgeon and their attitude toward writing that letter.