Birth Certificates and Social Security?

[Radar]

With Social Security I went in with my T letter, letter from my psychologist, passport and my top surgery surgeon's letter. I had already changed my name with them 6 months ago but was told I couldn't change the gender until after top surgery. Even then they weren't sure of what was all needed so they made copies and would look into it. A few days later I got a letter saying my gender was changed. I think alot of it does depend on where you live, the SS office you go to and their staff.

As for your BC it depends with each state. With mine you have to be on T, have had a hysterectomy and a meta or phallo. Asses. I did read everywhere that when your name is changed on your BC (for my state) they mark your old name out and put your new name above. However, when I ordered some new BCs they just had my new name- no mention at all about my old name. So, that was a nice surprise.

[Adio]

Just want to put this out there:  I haven't had top surgery (or any transition-related surgery) and I've had all my documents changed, including SS.  I just gave the guy at the SS office my court order for name/gender marker change, letter from my therapist stating that I had fully transitioned socially, and the letter from my endo stating I had "irreversible changes to his sex."  No surgery, just T.

This is not a typical situation and probably wouldn't happen if you live in an area where there are a lot of trans people.  I was able to do this because ignorance and luck.  But it is possible for some people to get their SS changed without surgery.

[Arch]

Adio, that's pretty cool. Were you able to get the court order because of the endo and/or therapist letter?

Officially, the SSA is supposed to require paperwork indicating a completed transition, but my letter didn't say that, either. It just said that I had had irreversible surgical changes (or something like that...I would have to look).

[Adio]

Adio, that's pretty cool. Were you able to get the court order because of the endo and/or therapist letter?

Officially, the SSA is supposed to require paperwork indicating a completed transition, but my letter didn't say that, either. It just said that I had had irreversible surgical changes (or something like that...I would have to look).

Yeah, just the endo and therapist letter.  In my state, all that's needed is those two documents (for gender marker change).  I could have gotten my name changed at anytime, I just chose to get both done at the same time to avoid paying twice.

I know that it's official policy to have a surgery letter for SS, but the guy that changed my info had never done it before.  He looked over my documents, copied them all, and put my endo's and therapist's info in the computer and that was that.  Looking back, it probably helped that I had a new birth certificate and DL with my new name/gender marker on it.  But it seemed he was more interested in the actual letters.

[Radar]

I know that it's official policy to have a surgery letter for SS, but the guy that changed my info had never done it before.

I kind of went in half expecting they wouldn't know the requirements themselves (which they didn't). So I just came in with so much paperwork it would overwhelm them and they'd just go with it. I had been told you needed to have top surgery to change your gender with SS but I could never find any written proof of this policy. I assumed the more I brought the more it helped.

I would like to say that when I've had to deal with the government or bureaucrats in changing my name and gender they have been nothing but polite, respectful and as helpful as possible. They didn't always have the answers, but they'd try to find out. The place I was treated the worst... my bank. Yeah, the place where I keep all my money. I've been thinking of switching anyway since they were bought out. Since being bought out their customer service and new policies suck.

[Adio]

I would like to say that when I've had to deal with the government or bureaucrats in changing my name and gender they have been nothing but polite, respectful and as helpful as possible. They didn't always have the answers, but they'd try to find out. The place I was treated the worst... my bank. Yeah, the place where I keep all my money. I've been thinking of switching anyway since they were bought out. Since being bought out their customer service and new policies suck.

I've had similar experiences.  The DMV was excellent (how often do you hear that? lol) and the Federal Credit Union was great; the lady acted as if she did it all the time (highly unlikely).  I ran into the most trouble with vital records when getting my BC.  They were horrible   But my bank took forever and were really reluctant to change my info.  Like you said, they've got my money.  Surely they want to keep my business.

[Radar]

Banks are a necessary evil. I hate dealing with them. I also learned that your gender is entered in the bank's system, so be sure to have them change that, too I assume most banks have your gender down. There were mess-ups from my name change but I just asked her to change that and she did it no problem.

When I went to change my name with SS I brought my psychologist's and endo's letters but they still wouldn't let me change it until surgery. The guy had to do research on it since he didn't know. So, I guess it all depends on where you go.

I live in a big city and I've noticed they're more sticklers for the rules. If they don't know they research to find out. Still, I know I'm not the only transsexual around here so you'd think someone would know the protocol.

[Arch]

I've never heard that banks have gender listed. I am with a credit union. I'll have to look into that. Has anyone else run across this phenomenon? I never even thought to ask.

Radar, the SSA guy might have been clueless--or maybe you gave him too much documentation and he got confused! If you change your name, you don't need anything other than your court order, unless you changed your name by a different method. For example, if you get married and take your spouse's last name, take the marriage license. I'm sure that things have tightened up since 9/11, but people change their names all the time and it has nothing to do with their being trans--so the SSA is obligated to update their records with no evidence of surgery.

[Radar]

Oh, I had no problem getting my name changed with SS. When I went in to change my name I tried to get them to change the gender too but that's when he did research and said I needed to have surgery first. So I went in a second time just to have the gender changed.

I was surprised about the bank, too. We were looking at records on her computer and they had my gender listed on my main profile. I told her I legally changed that and to please correct it in their system and she did- no problems. Maybe just my bank does this, but it's worth checking into. Especially if you have a credit card through your bank.