Westchester County Judge Agrees to Waive Publication of Trans Name Change
Leonard Link
http://newyorklawschool.typepad.com/leonardlink/2009/11/westchester-county-judge-agrees-to-waive-publication-of-trans-name-change.htmlFinding that transsexuals are at risk of being victimized by hate crimes, New York Supreme Court Justice William J. Giacomo (Supreme Court, Westchester County) has granted a request by a transsexual man that the usual requirement that a name-change notice be published in a local newspaper be waived in his case, and that the court files on the proceeding be sealed. The November 10 ruling, consistent with the court's findings, identifies the name-change applicant only by his initials, E.P.L.. In the Matter of the Application of E.P.L., 2009 Westlaw 3764453 (N.Y.Sup.Ct., Westchester Co., Nov. 10, 2009).
"This is an application by Petitioner, a transgender individual, for a name change to correspond with his male gender identity," wrote the judge. "An adult does not need permission of the court to change one's name, however, 'public policy favors a court's review and granting of name change applications because this makes the change of name a matter of public record.'" Court-ordered name-changes are especially useful for transsexuals, as the resulting court order can be helpful in getting the appropriate changes made on documents such as passports, drivers licenses, social security cards, and other identifying documents, as well as business forms, credit cards, and the various other ways our name is significant as we go through life.
