I have a question

[jet3]

I know there have been questions about this before but since it didn't really concern me at the time I don't remember what was said.  I got the money today to submit my application for my name change and publish it in the paper.  On the application I have to put the reason for my name change, should I put because I am transitioning from female to male or do you guys have other suggestions? I'm from Ohio so if any of you guys from Ohio or anyone else wants to tell me what you said, that would be awesome! 

[Teknoir]

I put a few things. It read exactly like this -

"Gender presentation, family disassociation, sentimental value, common (non-legal) usage."

Reason SPAM! 

Over here we have an interview, and I got though mine with no issues. One look at me, one look at the names involved and out came the approved stamp.

We may go through our lives without meeting another TS face-to-face, but they work at a place where we all eventually end up going. We're not as unusual to them as we think we are. It's just easiest to tell the truth. It is a very valid reason after all.

Be careful with "common usage", I've heard from some people with that as their only reason they've had to prove the usage (store loyalty cards, library cards, letters from friends, etc).

Different countries and all, YMMV, but giving a reason seems pretty universal.

[Kayden]

Common usage, you prefer it... they've pretty much covered the standard ones.

In MO I had to write my own freaking petition (didn't want to pay for a lawyer).  That was fun.  I was freaked out about not having enough reasoning behind my name change, so I went ahead and put in there the real reason.  Turns out I had to read it in front of the court. --shrug--  Usually, if they want more than what you've put, they'll ask.  Unless you come from a place where you KNOW they've never heard the term transgender in their life, you don't need to put down that you're transitioning.

[Radar]

"Common usage" -- means it's the name you've already been going by in your personal life and you wanted to make it official.

This exactly. I've heard of some guys not getting their name change approved because of transitioning reasons. I don't know what each state or county is like, but using the term "common usage" seems to work out fine for everyone. You don't have to get into detail or deal with a transphobic judge, yet it's still a truthful reason for your name change.

[sneakersjay]

I put 'personal reasons.'


Jay

[Mischa]

When I applied for my name change I didn't have to give a reason. Just filled out the paper the Judge signed off on it and that was it. We used to have a law where you had to publish it it in the paper, but they changed that law before I did my name change. I live in Vermont, so it's a little more progressive here.

[Kevin]

I'm in Ohio, I put common usage or personal reasons and just wrote down that it's what my friends and family call me. When I went in the judge obviously knew what was happening and she basically just wished me luck and we were done in 5 minutes. If you have a letter from a therapist (for T or anything) I'd recommend bringing it in with you on your court day JUST IN CASE. I remember there being a split second where I wish I brought something like that because she seemed like she might have wanted to see a letter or something.

[jet3]

Thanks everyone! i got my name change filed and my court date is on Nov. 24th...i hope it gets here fast!

[Jasonk16]

I'm from NY and put "common usage" and got denied.

So I just wrote my reasons down the next time and put that I was in gender transition...along with a few other things and it was accepted.