Hey guys,

So I'm an American currently living in the UK for the foreseeable future. I'm thinking about starting HRT here, but I'm concerned about how to update all of my legal documentation / gender markers (passport, legal name, NY drivers license) without going back to the US to do it. I tried contacting the embassy to see if I could change my documentation here, but of course they haven't responded.

I know that the process of starting HRT and seeing any effects from taking T will take a bit of time and the effects will be gradual, but I'd like to know how problematic having my old passport will be before I start on a course of HRT. So, has anyone traveled internationally while taking T without having already updated your legal documents / gender markers? How did that go? How long did you travel on your old passport before updating it? Or, even better, has anyone actually updated their legal documents / gender markers while living abroad - either through a US consulate or an embassy?

Any advice/ help is much appreciated! 

You may want to check out the Legal Matters section of the board, I think somewhere in there I saw a similar topic: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/board,328.40.html

From what I know (I could be wrong), embassies and consulates won't change your name and gender marker.

For the name change I'd probably start with calling the town/city clerk from your last place of US residence to see if you can go through the name change process without having to physically make an appearance at the hearing. I know most judges allow conference calls instead of in-person appearances if physically arriving would be an undo hardship, which you would have a good chance of qualifying for. Of course, it all depends on the judge. If granted, you need to make the call (or skype) in the presence of a notary to confirm your identity. From what I know, changing gender markers doesn't require any appearance in front of anyone, you can do it all in the mail. You'd need to go to the NY DMV to change your name and photo and gender marker.

These links may be helpful to you:
NY Courts, self help: https://www.nycourts.gov/courthelp/namechangeinfo.html

NY Dept. of Motor Vehicles: http://www.dmv.ny.gov/addr-name.htm

Sylvia Rivera Law Project: http://srlp.org/resources/namechange/

http://www.wikihow.com/Change-Your-Name-in-New-York

The amount of time it take for the effects of T to make you unrecognizable in your passport photo can vary from person to person.

If you are from the US, contact the embassy. If you are uncomfortable connecting with the one close to you, call one in a similar location. I live in Japan and I contacted the one in Sapporo rather the one in kansai. They are very helpful. The embassy spokesperson at first was less than helpful but I asked for a representative (a Japanese person in this case) and he was happy to help. He put me in touch with 8 hospitals in about 10 minutes.

My passport has not caused be problems going home. I acted confident and assertive and the one time I was questioned I asked the man "I was younger, can't you tell?" No issues.

Edit to add: my passport is about 4 years old from when I was living female. I've never been called "ma'am" or "miss". Only "sir"

Hey cjh!

Hope you can find some answers to your transition issues.

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