I've come a long way that I'm thinking about the practicalities of the legal name change and no long struggling with emotionally separating myself from my birth name
but I'm wondering -will it be easier if I go into a job after college with that already dealt with?
I'm not sure whether it's worth trying to get my parents to help me (with money, driving etc. I live in pennslyvainia in case that gives any information on what the process is)
or if I can wait until I already have a job and stuff and don't need their help anymore
also people who have legally changed there name- I'm just curious how long were you going by your chosen name before  you started the process of legally changing it? I know everyone is different and stuff but I'm curious. It's only been about 9 months or so for me.

I legally changed my name months before i had my srs. I thought at the time it would be best too because it helps regarding confusion, changing roles extra.. in my opinion this helped massively with everything else that followed.. but i was in a job at the time of my transition so i did have to tell everyone what my goals wore. But they was cool with it so i was lucky in that aspect. But peoples circumstances are different and some people do struggle in the work place regarding transition.. i think the best thing for you to do is to look at your circumstances and then see if that is the best time to do it.. if it is go for it. But if not dont rush untill you are ready.. your time will come so waiting a little longer wont make much difference... good luck xx

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

I am a terrible example because I sorta fell into full time about 6 months earlier than I had planned and about a month later started the process of name change, Still waiting for the court house to get back to me, I also got a note from my doctor to change my gender marker and will be going to change social security card shortly after the name change goes through, then a new license. (massachusetts BTW) so all in all if things proceed at the speed I hope they do I am looking at about 2-3 months from the first time I was in public as myself to getting my licence changed to read Serena, Female.

but from what I have seen thats very very fast, everything has been, then again after decades of needing this its a good thing.

Serena

It's easier to change things before graduating college so as everything is in the new information, but you need to take account your situation in the when your changing it too. I was using my name almost exclusively for nearly 2 months before my name change.  Hugs
Mariah

Yeah if you can get your degree in your new name that'd be better than trying to change it afterward.  Not to mention, filing taxes and filling out forms for an employer with one name and then trying to change it later could be more hassle.  Change it ahead of all that so it's less work later imo.  Assuming you're sure you're picking the right name and ready to commit.

Some places (like NC I hear) only allow you to change your name once.  Except for in the case of marriage reasons or similar for example.

I started using my new name about 1 1/2 months into HRT and I went full time at 3 1/2 months of HRT. My wife and I took a road trip to Florida and had zero problems (and no mis-gendering at all) from using the women's room to swimming at the beach in a once piece swimsuit. On the drive home I decided to do my name change when I got back to NJ. (After a pitstop in TN to see my wife's family for a few days.)

My name change was approved 2 1/2 months later and I changed my gender marker and name at the same time for my driver's license and social security card. I then changed all my bank and credit card/loan accounts and in 3 months was able to apply for credit under my new name successfully. I then changed my passport. The only thing in my old name is my FiOS account (which I'm going to try and straighten out in person tomorrow.) I've changed it over the phone with Verizon 3 times and my account keeps changing back to my old name.

I also sent in a name change request with a copy of my court order to the University of TN and they changed my records. I was in that area a few months ago and got a copy of my transcripts and my new name was on them

I never bothered to change my birth certificate because the state on TN will only amend my name by crossing out my old name (and it's still readable) and type my new name about it. Plus since they will not change the gender even after surgery, they don't deserve my $35 to change the name. My passport has the correct name and gender and I'll just keep that up to date and my birth certificate will never see the light of day as far as I'm concerned.