So, I was on my way to start the process for a legal name change. Unfortunately, many financial hardships killed my "name change fund" so I'm back to square one until I can scrounge up more money again. Given the fact I'm in college and trying to find employment, I'm struggling to keep up with everything. Despite constant correcting and signing my name as my desired/preferred name, I'm having CONSTANT issues. One time causing me to get several failed homework assignments for school because I signed my name differently than my legal/on file name. I tried petitioning the school to have my preferred name on file but they can't/won't and tell me it's of the discretion of the professor. (Which obviously hasn't worked.)

I'm tempted to just ask to go by my last name since it's (part of) my legal name. Would that be too formal? I've already gotten a few stink faces by my peers/others for asking they use my preferred name or just my last name.

Many places have financial hardship waivers, have you checked? Here's a link with information you may be able to use. https://www.susans.org/wiki/Category:Documentation_changes

I live in OK and I haven't found anything about waivers. I know they exist but haven't found anything available unfortunately. It's not really cheap either.

From what I can tell, the local Court Clerk sets the fee in OK. Call and ask about getting a waiver.

Quote from: Devlyn Marie on November 18, 2014, 07:50:11 PM
From what I can tell, the local Court Clerk sets the fee in OK. Call and ask about getting a waiver.

I'll try calling again since the last time I called they told me waivers were for last names only but they might be more helpful if I called at a different time. It's worth a try!

You can choose to use only initials for your first name.   I don't know if your school will go with it but many places, including employers, will.