Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Legal Matters => Topic started by: Mirath on July 02, 2017, 09:02:09 AM

Title: Name before diagnosis
Post by: Mirath on July 02, 2017, 09:02:09 AM
Hey everyone,

So a few times in other groups I've seen people dance around the wording that makes it sound like you need a diagnosis of gender dysphoria before you can even change your name in the UK.

How true is this, or is the diagnosis only if you want to change the gender marker?
Title: Re: Name before diagnosis
Post by: tgchar21 on July 02, 2017, 09:15:37 AM
In the UK anyone can change their name by a "deed poll" so you don't need any medical proof to change your name - the gender marker may be different (I don't live there, but I do know the basics on a name change in the UK).
Title: Re: Name before diagnosis
Post by: KathyLauren on July 02, 2017, 09:15:58 AM
In most jurisdictions, probably including the UK, anyone can change their name for any non-fraudulent reason.  I don't know the rules there, so you should confirm that, but it seems unlikely that they would require a diagnosis.

You can't change the gender marker on your birth certificate in the UK without a Gender Recognition Certificate, which requires a diagnosis of gender dysphoria.  Basically, that means two years of RLE or being post-surgical, whichever comes first.  This one I know, because I have a UK birth certificate.
Title: Re: Name before diagnosis
Post by: Mirath on July 02, 2017, 09:27:13 AM
Brilliant, thank you both, I was starting to get confused