Today I had my hearing to change my name. I dressed up nice and all, with the little black dress and a pair of platform wedge shoes. (exactly like my avatar).
Arrived at one county court building. The deputy in the parking lot told me that I needed to go to the other building. I went there, the deputy looked at my papers then said no the other building. I went to the civil division window and asked. THey said yep, other building.
So I went, deputy at the door said, "Ma'am, you're 20 minutes early." I said, "well I didn't want to be late." He directed me to the waiting area. Tick, tock, time passed. Eventually half hour after the hearing time, the door finally opened. We sat down, only 3 people there today, one was a wage dispute thing and the other was another (non-trans) name change.
I never mentioned "transgender" in my initial filing at all, I just said I needed a feminine name to match my gender identity. I figured they'd get the hint and I did not want any public records to say "transgender" because of the possibility of it showing up in search engines when people search for "transgender." This is just my preference.
The judge came out about 20 minutes after we were seated in the courtroom, we all rose when he entered the room, then sat down.
The first name change applicant was called up. An old guy who had been using a name all along that wasn't his legal name and he wanted to make it legal. When they were done with him, they called my old name. The clerk then said, "oh, okay." like a lightbulb went off in her head.
Then I went up. They made me swear on a bible, which I was a bit annoyed about because even though I am a Christian it's probably not my bible and I don't think that they should force the bible on everyone.
The judge called out my name, and asked why I was changing it, saying, "you need a more feminine name to match your gender identity?" I said, "Your honor, I am transgender, and I am changing my name as part of my gender transition because my current legal name does not match my gender identity." Then he said, "ah, okay." Then he proceeded to ask if I had counseling, etc. I explained that I've had counseling with a licensed therapist, medical treatment and surgery related to my transition over the last year or so. He asked if my intent was to evade prosecution or to defraud anyone. He asked a string of yes/no questions, I can't remember how many times I've said,"yes your honor" and "no your honor." He then asked where I was born, and if I was a US citizen. After that he said that he is satisfied that my application is genuine and not for any fraudulent purpose and he signed the order and sent me to get certified copies of the judgment.
They were very courteous and professional, and the judge didn't seem to judge me (haha) for being trans.
I was very happy when it was all said and done but they put a 30 day hold on it, I guess that is standard. It needs to be published in the newspaper too, and I am calling them on Monday.
I ordered 5 copies with the raised seal at $25 each (ouch). I will need more but I have 5 to start. They did not offer me the option to make my own copies and they certify it. October 12 I go to DMV and social security. I have to send copies to the tax department (NJ) and the IRS. More places need it too, but it's a process. I hope that some non-Government places will just accept a photocopy. I estimate that by end of year I will have most of it covered.
