I have not yet legally changed my name, so I was just thinking that when I have to fill out any legal documents before I get it chnaged, would I have to fill in the space where it asks me if I go by any other name with my feminine name?

It depends on the context they're asking it as. If it's for a "preferred name" and you prefer to go by your female name then put it down.

If it's for checking records (e.g. a job application) then your issues will probably be AFTER you change your name (when some of them may be under your old name). For jobs typically if anything they may want to check may be under another name (whether it be a former legal name, an alias, a nickname, etc.) you'll have to put down any applicable names if they ask. If you want to remain stealth to an employer that will probably be possible only if you can get all of your relevant educational records changed over, notify every employer they ask you to list on the application of your new name and acknowledge it, and have NO criminal history under your former name or other pre-transition aliases. Here for "cover" I suggest putting down something like "none that any relevant records would be under" so they can't be picky about an irrelevant omission if you're one of the lucky ones; based on some past cases the only "other names" an employer needs to know (except in cases where they can ask other questions that normally aren't allowed such as for a security clearance) are those which records they want to check are under or those needed to properly contact references (formed from other non-TS cases like a religious name or an immigrant changing his/her name to assimilate). Unfortunately, for TSs unless they transition young enough or have cooperation from all their past schools and employers (and haven't committed any crimes before their name change) they will most likely have to out themselves if the employer wants to do a background check on those records (which most do these days).

One of the first things I did after coming out was to get my name changed legally, then with that very important important piece of paper from the solicitors (how we get it done in the UK - Called a Change of Name Deed poll), made several copies and sent it to my school and college to ask for replacement certificates. Next was passport, driving license and birth certificate (when they eventually allowed it in the UK 10 years or so ago).
When I left the employer I'd transitioned at, my old boss wrote me a nice reference letter using my new name, and the companies in the country I moved to later do not take up references with old employers for legal reasons, so I've never had to legally divulge my old name
But I remember at the time ignoring those "previous name" questions since it was none of their business and I wasn't going to out myself.
All this was back in the late 1980's

Quote from: Saskia on December 07, 2013, 10:55:28 AM
One of the first things I did after coming out was to get my name changed legally, then with that very important important piece of paper from the solicitors (how we get it done in the UK - Called a Change of Name Deed poll), made several copies and sent it to my school and college to ask for replacement certificates. Next was passport, driving license and birth certificate (when they eventually allowed it in the UK 10 years or so ago).
When I left the employer I'd transitioned at, my old boss wrote me a nice reference letter using my new name, and the companies in the country I moved to later do not take up references with old employers for legal reasons, so I've never had to legally divulge my old name
But I remember at the time ignoring those "previous name" questions since it was none of their business and I wasn't going to out myself.
All this was back in the late 1980's

In the UK, since they passed the Gender Recognition Act a few years ago, you are officially protected from needing to out yourself (even in the case of criminal checks they have an alternate procedure where you can give the details of your former identity straight to the checking agency as opposed to through your employer as is usually done, although any names/aliases a crime was committed under will still show on the report). In a case like yours, where all records are changed over, you have no more need to mention your old name than someone who was adopted as a child. (Since TSs are frequently discriminated against and employers might try and use any excuse to fire them, I came up with my suggestion for an "alternate" response that won't out yourself, based on the applicable cases in the U.S.)

Quote from: tgchar21 on December 07, 2013, 08:49:00 AM
It depends on the context they're asking it as. If it's for a "preferred name" and you prefer to go by your female name then put it down.

If it's for checking records (e.g. a job application) then your issues will probably be AFTER you change your name (when some of them may be under your old name). For jobs typically if anything they may want to check may be under another name (whether it be a former legal name, an alias, a nickname, etc.) you'll have to put down any applicable names if they ask. If you want to remain stealth to an employer that will probably be possible only if you can get all of your relevant educational records changed over, notify every employer they ask you to list on the application of your new name and acknowledge it, and have NO criminal history under your former name or other pre-transition aliases. Here for "cover" I suggest putting down something like "none that any relevant records would be under" so they can't be picky about an irrelevant omission if you're one of the lucky ones; based on some past cases the only "other names" an employer needs to know (except in cases where they can ask other questions that normally aren't allowed such as for a security clearance) are those which records they want to check are under or those needed to properly contact references (formed from other non-TS cases like a religious name or an immigrant changing his/her name to assimilate). Unfortunately, for TSs unless they transition young enough or have cooperation from all their past schools and employers (and haven't committed any crimes before their name change) they will most likely have to out themselves if the employer wants to do a background check on those records (which most do these days).

You see tgchar21, my present situation is that next month I'll be going for my US citizenship, and my mom threw at me that they may ask me for a second name, so I got curious about it. But I think you've pretty much have answered my question.  Y'know Saskia, from reading your post, I think it would be easiest if I got my name changed before I took the citizenship to eliminate the useage of any other name.  Since I will be full time come January 1st, I may as well get it done! 

Quote from: Gina Taylor on December 07, 2013, 02:18:48 PM
You see tgchar21, my present situation is that next month I'll be going for my US citizenship, and my mom threw at me that they may ask me for a second name, so I got curious about it. But I think you've pretty much have answered my question.  Y'know Saskia, from reading your post, I think it would be easiest if I got my name changed before I took the citizenship to eliminate the useage of any other name.  Since I will be full time come January 1st, I may as well get it done! 

If the government (not a private individual or entity who may discriminate against you) is the one asking for "other names" I'd go ahead and mention it regardless, especially if you may have any documents under said name. This includes nicknames/aliases (not just former legal names), and before citizenship they want to make sure you've not done any "anti-American" (as they see it) activities under another identity.

As a side-note, when naturalizing, another way this is different than like when applying for a job is you typically need to include expunged criminal records (which usually can't be asked by employers).