Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I'm sorry if this has been made before, but how exactly does the process work?

Driving License, National Insurance, Passport, etcetera. How do those get changed?

Can I retake my photos or anything? Just wondering how it all works...

I've tried searching, but all I've gotten were results with the words "deed poll" in posts, and there doesn't seem to be any post filters for specific threads...

Thank you in advance!

Just in the off chance you are Scottish, in Scotland there is no need for deed poll and you can change your name as and whenever you want so long as not for fraudulent purpose. A statuary declaration for change of name is all that is necessary if you want to change legal stuff like Passports etc. I have put a link below (maybe. Not good at this tech' stuff)

http://www.scottishtrans.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Example-Statutory-Declaration-for-Change-of-Name.pdf

In the UK you can change your name freely with either a deed poll or a statutory declaration. A deed poll can be drawn up for practically next to nothing, most places accept them. There have been anecdotal accounts that the Gender Recognition Panel will only accept statutory declarations when applying for a Gender Recognition Certificate, but you won't have to cross that bridge usually for at least another two years when you are eligible to apply for a GRC.

You can go to http://freedeedpoll.org.uk/ (http://freedeedpoll.org.uk/) to get a template deed poll drawn up. Once you have entered all the details then print it off (a few times) on good quality paper and get it witnessed by a couple of people known to you and that is it. You have officially changed your name. NOTE: You cannot use your newly changed name for fraudulent purposes.

You can also get a statutory declaration, but you will have to get a solicitor or a member of the court to notarise it. The statutory declaration with additional copies should cost no more than £10.

You can easily change your UK driving licence with a deed poll, but the passport will also require a letter from your GP or therapist to say that you are transitioning and this change is likely to be permanent. In all likelihood you'll want to take new photos for both. See here for further information regarding UK passports https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/251703/Applying_for_a_passport_additional_information.PDF (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/251703/Applying_for_a_passport_additional_information.PDF)

Quote from: Leila on February 15, 2015, 02:16:12 PM
In the UK you can change your name freely with either a deed poll or a statutory declaration. A deed poll can be drawn up for practically next to nothing, most places accept them. There have been anecdotal accounts that the Gender Recognition Panel will only accept statutory declarations when applying for a Gender Recognition Certificate, but you won't have to cross that bridge usually for at least another two years when you are eligible to apply for a GRC.

You can go to http://freedeedpoll.org.uk/ (http://freedeedpoll.org.uk/) to get a template deed poll drawn up. Once you have entered all the details then print it off (a few times) on good quality paper and get it witnessed by a couple of people known to you and that is it. You have officially changed your name. NOTE: You cannot use your newly changed name for fraudulent purposes.

You can also get a statutory declaration, but you will have to get a solicitor or a member of the court to notarise it. The statutory declaration with additional copies should cost no more than £10.

You can easily change your UK driving licence with a deed poll, but the passport will also require a letter from your GP or therapist to say that you are transitioning and this change is likely to be permanent. In all likelihood you'll want to take new photos for both. See here for further information regarding UK passports https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/251703/Applying_for_a_passport_additional_information.PDF (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/251703/Applying_for_a_passport_additional_information.PDF)

Thank you Leila, and how will I retake the photos? Is it just as simple as submitting new ones with the change? Thank you

Quote from: Ruruko on February 16, 2015, 10:45:40 AM
Thank you Leila, and how will I retake the photos? Is it just as simple as submitting new ones with the change? Thank you

I suppose it depends on what type of application you are making. If it is just a name change, then that is all you need to do. If you are making an application to replace an expired passport or driving licence, then you need to supply new photos. If your appearance has changed so much, then a new set of photos should be attached as well, and you may also be required to have them verified by any one of a list of recognised people. Further information regarding photos and what to do in regards to them are usually detailed in the application notes.

Quote from: Leila on February 17, 2015, 01:03:48 AM
I suppose it depends on what type of application you are making. If it is just a name change, then that is all you need to do. If you are making an application to replace an expired passport or driving licence, then you need to supply new photos. If your appearance has changed so much, then a new set of photos should be attached as well, and you may also be required to have them verified by any one of a list of recognised people. Further information regarding photos and what to do in regards to them are usually detailed in the application notes.

Alright, thanks again, even though I've said it like a billion times already, I still mean it!

Quote from: Leila on February 15, 2015, 02:16:12 PM
You can go to http://freedeedpoll.org.uk/ (http://freedeedpoll.org.uk/) to get a template deed poll drawn up.

I just wanted to add that there is no reason to pay for a deed poll at all.  Just use that site, print it on nice paper (you can get some "certificate" looking A4 paper at Staples) and get 2 witnesses to sign it.   I created a nicer template with 2 fonts (.docx and Libre Office versions):

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_a3Uy9fvST8RmFjbXZZSGdLLW8/view?usp=sharing

This was accepted everywhere including the UK Home Office for a new passport.  Just be sure to use exact names (your "old name" must match what's on your passport or birth certificate).  I accidentally left out my old middle name the first time and had to redo it.

Quote from: mfox on February 21, 2015, 10:27:47 AM
I just wanted to add that there is no reason to pay for a deed poll at all.  Just use that site, print it on nice paper (you can get some "certificate" looking A4 paper at Staples) and get 2 witnesses to sign it.   I created a nicer template with 2 fonts (.docx and Libre Office versions):

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_a3Uy9fvST8RmFjbXZZSGdLLW8/view?usp=sharing

This was accepted everywhere including the UK Home Office for a new passport.  Just be sure to use exact names (your "old name" must match what's on your passport or birth certificate).  I accidentally left out my old middle name the first time and had to redo it.

I was wondering myself if this would work and worried that it won't be accepted. Did it even work at the bank you use? I assume you have to tell revenues and customs. If so did you use this form  https://online.hmrc.gov.uk/shortforms/form/PAYENICoC? What did you put for reason that you changed your name? Is this the paper you used? (//)http://www.staples.co.uk/search?keywords=certificate+paper(//). Sorry for all the questions.

Quote from: Elis on February 21, 2015, 12:56:45 PM
I was wondering myself if this would work and worried that it won't be accepted. Did it even work at the bank you use? I assume you have to tell revenues and customs. If so did you use this form  https://online.hmrc.gov.uk/shortforms/form/PAYENICoC? What did you put for reason that you changed your name? Is this the paper you used? http://www.staples.co.uk/search?keywords=certificate+paper(//). Sorry for all the questions.

Yup.  My UK bank accepted it, mobile phone company, everyone.  For "reason for name change" at HMRC, I put "Medical reasons" - No one ever questions that in my experience. :)  And that is the certificate paper I used, not my ideal but it looks official enough.

Notification of gender change should be made to Special Section D at the HMRC where they are trained to deal with name and gender changes.

QuoteYou can write to Special Section D to tell HMRC:

about your legal gender change
about your name change only if you didn't change gender legally
if you don't want them to restrict your records
Include your National Insurance number, and your original Gender Recognition Certificate if you've changed gender legally.

HMRC
Special Section D
Room BP9207
Benton Park View
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE98 1ZZ

https://www.gov.uk/tell-hmrc-change-of-details/gender-change (https://www.gov.uk/tell-hmrc-change-of-details/gender-change)

Thanks m fox and Leila, I'm going to do it that way. Btw, of course I'm gonna choose the blue certificate paper, I like blue and I'm a boy so it works  :D