I have a question about name changes.
I was reading about name changes and apparently you have to publicize it on a newspaper ad. (I live in IL)
I'm not sure how this goes for trans people but I don't want to do that because of safety/privacy reasons.
Can anyone tell me their experiences about their name change?

Not always. It depends on where you live. I didn't have to do the newspaper thing it's not even mentioned where I live. Hugs
Mariah

Quote from: Mariah2014 on June 23, 2015, 08:27:49 PM
Not always. It depends on where you live. I didn't have to do the newspaper thing it's not even mentioned where I live. Hugs
Mariah

If you don't mind me asking, what state do you live in?

Washington State.

Probably the best thing to do is research your state's name change law and see if there is any provision that the publication may be waived in certain cases like you described (some states have them in place to protect domestic violence victims for example). If so see if your judge would waive it for you. If not then you probably don't have a choice unless you want to move to another state that does have such a provision.

Yeah in Oregon we didn't have to do that, they just have a bulletin board up where you post one of your forms before the trial for two weeks in one of their office areas and then when your trial day comes, you take that form with you into the courtroom. Then after the trial, if you're granted the change, you post a copy of the actual judgement stating the name change and after two weeks they take it down for you. But I have heard of the newspaper laws before from someone on here, it seems odd to me but that's probably just because we don't have them here. I would check with your county's site to see if they have the forms available, so you can see what you have to do and get your stuff together beforehand.

I completely understand your reasons for not wanting it published but to be honest I doubt anyone even pays attention to that part of the newspaper (maybe elderly people, no offense to any elderly members). People are so delusional these days and I doubt anyone would notice. I live in Virginia and all I had to do was fill out some form, take it to a Notary (I went to my bank for this and they didn't ask questions just signed it) Then sent it to the court and waited for them to send me my approval. But it was a bit easier for me because my name can be for any gender. I don't know if it would be more difficult for someone to go from an Amanda to a Michael or John to go to Rose.

Here's some information for you, Kian: https://www.susans.org/wiki/Changing_legal_name_in_the_US

It looks like the newspaper filing can't be waived, but I agree that very few people read the legal notice section. I know I don't. Hope this helps.

Hugs, Devlyn

In California you no longer need to publish a notice in a newspaper of general circulation when doing a name change to confirm your gender identity. They also changed the law to allow you to change your name and gender using a single form. All that is required is a declaration from your medical doctor that you have undergone appropriate medical treatment, which is not defined, to change gender. 

It only took 6 weeks from the time I filed the paperwork until I had the court order changing my name and gender.

I had the exact same experience that Jessie had. Before the law changed another friend had to publish the name change and wait over a year to get it done but she lives in another county with a large city.

Even if people don't read the legal notices, they are searchable online. I don't like that. There is so much possibility for bad things.

But this is a good opportunity to remind yourself that stealth itself is kind of a balancing act and you need to watch your back.

Quote from: iKate on June 24, 2015, 09:41:59 PM
Even if people don't read the legal notices, they are searchable online. I don't like that. There is so much possibility for bad things.

But this is a good opportunity to remind yourself that stealth itself is kind of a balancing act and you need to watch your back.

Yeah, true!
I really don't want me or anyone else getting hurt because of that.