From what ive read on the internet, they make it sound incredibly easy, and cost free to do.  Just a petition and two affidavits of character and a court appearance. 

Anyone here done this in NC?  I'm looking into doing this, if the basic name change is relatively easy(and cheap).  Now is a really good time of year for that too.  I want to be called Sophia, and my friends know this and do.  I just have a really hard time introducing myself that way without my name actually being changed.   Any info would be great.  Also, im looking to change my last name aswell as first, does this make things harder?

I don't have any info on NC, except I know one thing about the state (which AFAIK is unique to them): You are only allowed ONE name change not related to marriage/divorce (as an adult, name changes from when you were a minor don't count) in your life under the standard procedure. That means you will have problems if you've had an applicable name change before and try to do it again - in that case the only easy way out would be to move to another state and do it there once you can.

As for changing your last name, it shouldn't be any harder (in any U.S. jurisdiction) than just changing your first/middle names unless you have legitimate reasons why a name change might be denied (such as a criminal record or large amounts of debt that you are trying to evade); even then usually you'll have to present a more convincing case to the judge as to why you want to change your full name. In fact changing your last name provides an easy way out of outing yourself when a job application or such asks for other names you've used (and they have no practical reason for knowing your full former name, such as if all applicable records have been changed over) - you can put down just your former last name and (this is especially true for MTFs) they'll probably assume it's just a maiden (or former married) name without question. (I've posted an alternate way of handling these issues before, but this idea will probably make things even smoother than putting down the "alternative response" I suggested.)

Here's a complete guide to documentation changes, Sophia. Name changes are usually fairly easy, cheap, and a good starting point. Hugs, Devlyn

https://www.susans.org/wiki/Category:Documentation_changes

Quote from: tgchar21 on December 14, 2013, 09:22:46 AM
I don't have any info on NC, except I know one thing about the state (which AFAIK is unique to them): You are only allowed ONE name change not related to marriage/divorce (as an adult, name changes from when you were a minor don't count) in your life under the standard procedure. That means you will have problems if you've had an applicable name change before and try to do it again - in that case the only easy way out would be to move to another state and do it there once you can.

As for changing your last name, it shouldn't be any harder (in any U.S. jurisdiction) than just changing your first/middle names unless you have legitimate reasons why a name change might be denied (such as a criminal record or large amounts of debt that you are trying to evade); even then usually you'll have to present a more convincing case to the judge as to why you want to change your full name. In fact changing your last name provides an easy way out of outing yourself when a job application or such asks for other names you've used (and they have no practical reason for knowing your full former name, such as if all applicable records have been changed over) - you can put down just your former last name and (this is especially true for MTFs) they'll probably assume it's just a maiden (or former married) name without question. (I've posted an alternate way of handling these issues before, but this idea will probably make things even smoother than putting down the "alternative response" I suggested.)

Yeah, i dont have a criminal record and do have some never paid(nor going to be paid) hospital bills.  I'm not worried about being outed on job apps, if im passable it wont matter, if im not, then ill be visibly trans anyways.   Well, i certainly hope, being a transexual, and wanting to put closure on my life i was trying to live as a male, reason enough to change my last name for them.  I would just find things a bit easier when introducing myself if i got my name changed.  Feels like lying when its not my actual name yet

Quote from: Sophia Hawke on December 14, 2013, 10:04:09 AM
Yeah, i dont have a criminal record and do have some never paid(nor going to be paid) hospital bills.  I'm not worried about being outed on job apps, if im passable it wont matter, if im not, then ill be visibly trans anyways.   Well, i certainly hope, being a transexual, and wanting to put closure on my life i was trying to live as a male, reason enough to change my last name for them.  I would just find things a bit easier when introducing myself if i got my name changed.  Feels like lying when its not my actual name yet

If you have outstanding debt like that, you shouldn't have a problem as long as you don't try and use your name change to dodge it (you may be required to notify them of your new name).

I just saw this and wanted to add:

I did my name change in NC (Durham County) but it was in early 2011 and the procedure was much simpler then. I know that now criminal background checks are required (I've heard from friends who recently went through it both county sheriff and FBI.) The affidavits of good character are still required, though they seem a little silly with the crim-checks.

Also, possibly unique to NC, you won't see a judge for name change. The Clerk of the Court has some judicial authority in NC and name changes fall under that office (this is causing me trouble with PA for updating my BC.) One friend in Nash County did have a problem in which the Clerk of the Court was interpreting the rule as requiring criminal background checks of the individuals who produced the notarized affidavits of good character, too.

I had my name changed in guilford county NC in 2010. I found the appropriate papers online and filled them out had them notarized at a bank took them to the courthouse and paid my fee's, i think it was around 180, then I had to pin the papers to a cork board and waited 11 days, came back and my name was officially changed.  I don't know if any of the procedures have changed though.

It was 2006 when I did mine in Carteret County. The clerk preferred that people use a lawyer for it instead of doing it themselves, so my dad's lawyer did it for me. I can't recall if they did any background check, but I had the character witnesses and all, one being a deputy, so things went smoothly and cost $250.  If things have changed as Agent J says, then it might not hurt to call your clerk of court and ask.