Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Shane, (from transOhio) informs me that every one HAS to go to court when they change their name, but if i remember right, i read on here that there were people who just had the judge approve it the same day and they were off, am i wrong??

also, has anyone petition the court to legally change their gender for SSA??
if so, how do you go about it?


thanks for the info!

Quote from: The Only Warrior Princess Mekayla on February 01, 2010, 09:14:01 AM
Shane, (from transOhio) informs me that every one HAS to go to court when they change their name, but if i remember right, i read on here that there were people who just had the judge approve it the same day and they were off, am i wrong??

also, has anyone petition the court to legally change their gender for SSA??
if so, how do you go about it?


thanks for the info!

I can't speak for Ohio as I don't live there.  I did go to court personally to change my name in Illinois.  But I did the name change as pro-se (self).  Had I an attorney, I could have signed a power of attorney for them to do the process for me, but that would have been more expensive.

Also, state courts have no jurisdiction, I believe, over SSA rules.  The SSA had specific rules regarding gender change specifications.  Basically you have to provide a surgeons letter saying that you have had gender change surgery.

Name change at SSA can be performed by filling out the form and providing a copy of the judgment to the SSA.

-Sandy

Having the judge approve it is going to court in a way.  Depends on how busy the courts are.  But its not like you have to go to trial.  It's kinda pro forma, I think in Cali you are there basically to swear that you're not doing this for criminal reasons.

SSA, being the Federal Government, has it's own rules and state and lesser court orders don't affect it at all.

I understand a properly written orci letter will word with SSA. In my state you must go to court to change your name.

Pam

I'm pretty sure that SSA requires a legal court name change and medical letters.

For court I did go before a judge, in Oregon, but it was just a technicality. They didn't ask anything and I was in and out of there in minutes after they called my name. For SSA they will change your name  with the court order but you need a letter from a surgeon to get your gender changed. The wording is the most important part, but it must be from a doctor.
good luck!
Myles

I agree with Myles as I am also in in Oregon.  Court was in and out in under a minute.  SSA took the 'carefully worded' letter from my surgeon and bingo I am now a female named Janet.

Name change is a no brainer, but check with your court clerk.

I had to wait a month from the filing of the paperwork until the court date, then got it changed right then and there with the judge on the court date.

It may be state-specific though.


Jay

It is totally state specific, the name change part at least, SSA of course is federal, and federal law is above any and all state laws.

I had to advertise my name change in the local newspaper for six weeks.  Since no objections were filed with the court, the change was approved.  I never showed up.  Every state is different.  (I don't live in California, Ohio, or Illinois.)

- Kate