Ok, I am borderline panicking here as the little hamster wheel in my mind won't stop running over all the scenarios. 

I am considering hiring a lawyer to handle my name change and to assist with getting all my records changed over within the next month before I go back to college, but I am really worried about changing records with my insurance (currently under my mom) because they might drop me if they find out I'm trans.  Also, I'm worried about changing records with my college and the other billion places I have to go. 

Two things:

Do I have any legal protections while I go through this process of changing records so that my identity isn't somehow "erased" because I'm trans, or for some other reason?

Am I obligated to change my records at places that don't make much sense to change them at?  What I mean is, old jobs that I haven't worked at for years and probably won't need a reference from once I graduate college?  Former insurance companies?  Former banks?  Basically, any place that I don't do business with anymore and their knowing my new info is irrelevant to my new life?  Or do I have to continually dig and dig through my past to find everyone and everywhere in an effort to update everything?

~Fae

the name change is mostly filling out forms, so I'm not sure a lawyer would be needed at all. Just stop by the courthouse and they will give you basically everything you need to know, just make sure you read it.  On the actual court date there wasn't really anything involved, I was just asked if I was 18, and the judge signed it.

You'll need to get a new ID made afterwords to change Social Security, as they require identification in both new and old names now.  (My mom was trying to change her last name after being married for 25 years, so she had to find identification over 25 years old before they would let her change her last name)

I just made a new account with my current bank and they transfered the money for me.  If you can do that it might be a good idea. I did the same thing with my credit card (although I had never used my old one so I had no credit built up, so you might not want to do this if you have, in which case just change the name)

Insurance was easy, although that may depend on who you have.

I wouldn't really bother with the old jobs and such, it doesn't really matter, and you might just need something from them to prove who you used to be.  Things like wills and such.


also, change your name in your college. Purdue is a pretty conservative school and they had no problems with it.  They even asked if I wanted to change male to female in their records.  However, make sure they've changed everything.  It seems college systems arn't all linked entirely, so they still havn't change everything.  In fact I need to call them to fix my actual log in name and email, which is the only thing left.

Quote from: Kat on July 13, 2007, 09:51:16 PM
the name change is mostly filling out forms, so I'm not sure a lawyer would be needed at all. Just stop by the courthouse and they will give you basically everything you need to know, just make sure you read it.  On the actual court date there wasn't really anything involved, I was just asked if I was 18, and the judge signed it.

You'll need to get a new ID made afterwords to change Social Security, as they require identification in both new and old names now.  (My mom was trying to change her last name after being married for 25 years, so she had to find identification over 25 years old before they would let her change her last name)

I just made a new account with my current bank and they transfered the money for me.  If you can do that it might be a good idea. I did the same thing with my credit card (although I had never used my old one so I had no credit built up, so you might not want to do this if you have, in which case just change the name)

Insurance was easy, although that may depend on who you have.

I wouldn't really bother with the old jobs and such, it doesn't really matter, and you might just need something from them to prove who you used to be.  Things like wills and such.

*breathes*

Ok...Thanks Kat, I was just having a moment...

You ever have a moment where you're trying to fall asleep and your mind is suddenly like "OMG!!"

Yeah, that's me right now, and I have to be up at 5am to go into work...

I do have a credit history so I may seek the counsel of a lawyer to figure getting that changed...plus my student loans for college.

So...name change, DMV (license) and then Social Security?

no problem 

best of luck with everything, and if you want a little more info I could probably ask my dad, as he handled the insurance and some of the college stuff


edit:

yup, you need a new license from the DMV. i went to SS right after the name change and they sent me home after waiting for 90 minutes.  apparently the court order for a name change doesn't count anymore, so just hop to the DMV on a non-busy day and get a new license.

Quote from: Kat on July 13, 2007, 09:59:34 PM
no problem 

best of luck with everything, and if you want a little more info I could probably ask my dad, as he handled the insurance and some of the college stuff


edit:

yup, you need a new license from the DMV. i went to SS right after the name change and they sent me home after waiting for 90 minutes.  apparently the court order for a name change doesn't count anymore, so just hop to the DMV on a non-busy day and get a new license.

Kat, were you able to file for a change of gender with your name change?  I am wondering if I should do this and present as female when I go to the courthouse, or just present as male asking for a typical female name. 

to petition for a gender change you need a letter from a surgeon after SRS explaining you've had SRS as far as I understand. I still presented as female though when I went to court.  They will call you up by your old name though, at least they did for me.  I didn't really care, and it was the last time I have been called by that name.

Quote from: Kat on July 13, 2007, 10:16:10 PM
to petition for a gender change you need a letter from a surgeon after SRS explaining you've had SRS as far as I understand. I still presented as female though when I went to court.  They will call you up by your old name though, at least they did for me.  I didn't really care, and it was the last time I have been called by that name.

Drat, and I was hoping to just give them a letter from my endo saying I had "undergone irreversible medical feminization" but I suppose I will have to wait until after my Orchi, and even then they probably won't change it.  .

~Fae

unfortunately no, they are picky about these things, but its not like anyone is going to physically validate said change 

Quote from: Kat on July 13, 2007, 10:25:11 PM
unfortunately no, they are picky about these things, but its not like anyone is going to physically validate said change 

Goddess I would certainly HOPE not! 

Quote from: Fae on July 13, 2007, 10:20:32 PM
Drat, and I was hoping to just give them a letter from my endo saying I had "undergone irreversible medical feminization" but I suppose I will have to wait until after my Orchi, and even then they probably won't change it.

Yup, they won't. Confirmation of your SRS is still the legal requirement in the US for getting the legal (court) change for your birth certificate (few states don't even do that), and then you can apply for SS and passport changes. Most states allow changes on drivers license with letters from therapist and physician verifying status. Check with the LGBT groups in your state or some of on-line resources, but some of the latter aren't always kept current.

While you can do a lot of the legal stuff yourself, and some states have avenues for this, most courts in my experience give preference to petitioners with attorneys, meaning you get in/out faster, and it doesn't hurt to have the good legal advice and help.

Personally I don't see any insurance carrier can drop you for your transistion, but they can simply deny coverage for much of it - many do already, so read their coverage information.  And check if your physician/endochronologist writes their bills for non-transistion coverage. Some larger carriers are more tolerant of less exact descriptions for coverage.

Good luck.

Quote from: SusanK on July 14, 2007, 09:26:52 PM
While you can do a lot of the legal stuff yourself, and some states have avenues for this, most courts in my experience give preference to petitioners with attorneys, meaning you get in/out faster, and it doesn't hurt to have the good legal advice and help.

How long does the whole process take?  I'm leaving my summer job on August 10th, and I'm hoping that the two weeks I have before I go back to college is enough time to change over all my IDs and important records.  Do you think I'm giving myself enough time, or am I being too hopeful that it'll all happen in two weeks? 

I'm really anxious and stressed out right now...again

Quote from: Fae on July 14, 2007, 09:35:23 PM
How long does the whole process take?  I'm leaving my summer job on August 10th, and I'm hoping that the two weeks I have before I go back to college is enough time to change over all my IDs and important records.  Do you think I'm giving myself enough time, or am I being too hopeful that it'll all happen in two weeks? 

I'm really anxious and stressed out right now...again

It depends on where you live for records and where you'll be working and going to college. You should contact local LGBT organizations. I wouldn't give myself a deadline like you've done because if you can't get it done, what will you do? You'll need letters from therapist(s) and/or physician for changes, such as DMV, etc., and those folks have their own timeframe.

And what "important" records do you plan to change? Remember agencies have their own laws, regulations and procedures and asking all of them for a quick turnaround, that's pushing it, especially if they require confirmation and maybe court papers, which also take time.

With all that said, the first thing to do is list the records you want changed, who does them, what forms and other things (letters, courts papers, etc.) they require, and their processing time. Then you can decide what you can do or simply put things on the track to get them done down the road. And remember all cost money.

Good luck, and remember it's the goals that matter, the road is what gets you there. But a roadmap helps (check www.tsroadmap.com).

--Susan--

Quote from: Fae on July 14, 2007, 09:35:23 PM
How long does the whole process take?  I'm leaving my summer job on August 10th, and I'm hoping that the two weeks...

Here in PA, it takes about 3-6 *months* to go from the initial filing to the court hearing.

I tried calling the courthouse for help doing it myself. They told me, "We don't have the forms here, nor can we tell you what you need to do. Get a lawyer."

Doing it myself would cost me around $400 total. A lawyer quoted me $1,250. The are at least 10 required forms which must be completed perfectly, duplicated and sent to the correct offices at the correct times. Searches must be run and notorized. Notifications must be published in newspapers and notorized. Fingerprints taken by the state police and cleared for criminal history.

I REALLY envy those of you who can do this for a small fee and a form or two.

~Kate~

Kate in Quebec, the whole process is 9 months and more, but its much cheaper $300.
I'm just so tired of it, they keep asking for more proof of my intent,
even after sending then 4 notarized pictures of myself!!
Now they want one from my FFS surgeon... They just make me sick.

I think I first filed for the name change about 2 months before school ended, and I got it done the day after Father's Day. I think the entire process varies from state to state, as I never had to do the finger print thing 

Quote from: Kat on July 15, 2007, 07:07:48 PM
I never had to do the finger print thing 

It was terribly traumatic for me.

This young and strong state trooper had to take my hand and hold my fingers down, one by one, rolling them around with his strong touch to make each print, over and over...

It was just terrible >

~Kate~

Quote from: Kate on July 15, 2007, 07:16:50 PM

Quote from: Kat on July 15, 2007, 07:07:48 PM
I never had to do the finger print thing 

It was terribly traumatic for me.

This young and strong state trooper had to take my hand and hold my fingers down, one by one, rolling them around with his strong touch to make each print, over and over...

It was just terrible >

~Kate~

*laughs*  I'm sure it was terrible Kate.

*sighs* I am really stressed about this.  I've come so far in my transition and yet I don't know if I should keep going forward and just dive right into the legal changes, or if I should wait, or if I...

...I'm so confused...I think I'm moving too fast on this issue.  Am I really not giving myself enough time here?  I'm trying to take this one step at a time but it's soo much and it's really hard.  I can't help but want it to all be over tomorrow so I can just move on with my life and just chalk this whole trans experience - with all the pains and years of agony - up as a bad dream.

I cried in the shower again tonight.   

*sniffles* I uh...made a quick list of things I think are a priority.  What do you think?

1. Legal Name Change
2. DMV (license and vehicle title)
3. Social Security
4. Vehicle Insurance
5. Bank
6. Primary Doctor
7. Endocrinologist
8. College(s)
9. Student Loan Info
10. Health Insurance

Aside from that, there's nothing really else major to change.  Everything else can just fade into the past...

you might want to call your high school if you want a new diploma. I didn't really care, and they never actually sent me my first diploma anyway 

but still, something to think about

Quote from: Kat on July 16, 2007, 01:24:25 PM
you might want to call your high school if you want a new diploma. I didn't really care, and they never actually sent me my first diploma anyway 

but still, something to think about

I graduated from High School 5 years ago, and once I'm done with college I don't think many employers are going to really care about my high school records, but I will think about it.

~Fae

Posted on: July 16, 2007, 11:40:36 PM

---

Ok...minor setback today.  I called the county clerk this morning to inquire about the process for getting a legal name change.  This was the reply I got.

Me: "Hi, my name is [male name] and I'm calling about the process for getting a legal name change."
Clerk: "I'm sorry, but I can't tell you anything as that counts as legal advice.  You'll have to contact a lawyer."
Me: "But I'm not asking for legal advice, I just wanted to know what the process entails."
Clerk: "Well, once you pay for your index number ($210.00) you set up a court date, but I can't tell you how to form your petition or anything as that is legal advice."

...So it looks like I will be looking for an attorney after all, just to avoid the hassle since a lawyer would know the law better than I do.  So much for doing this on my own...

~Fae

Typically if you go to the counter at the court house, they will have a packet for sale, with explinations (I think it was $25 here) and you just fill out the forms and file it.

It is worth a try that would be a lot less expensive than a lawyer.


Sarah L.