Hi everyone

I am going to file my name change request this week. which im excited for!
i wanted to put some information for people on here.

Before i start i want to say I do have a criminal record and am also on probation, i also am doing this in Wisconsin.

Getting the name change forms was very easy, i printed everything out at home and took it to my local hospital and had a notary sign them.
Ive read that it is important to let your po know before the hearing. i have not read or heard anything stating that i cannot get my name changed unless the plaintiff is a sex offender.
In Wisconsin the requirements for a name change are that the plaintiff (me) is not trying to hide from any debts. which i am not. and that the plaintiff is not a registered sex offender. Again which i am not.  You must pay the filing fees which is just under 200 for everything. In Wisconsin i am required to publish the name change hearing in the local paper once a week for three weeks. Ive been told that name changes don't often get denied however if mine does get denied due to having a past criminal record. I will update this so that others will know.

That's awesome news, Princess. I am actually looking into this name change process myself. I live in Florida and here I swear it costs freakin' $400! So I'm gonna look into filling out a fee waiver and see if I can have this done that way. Good luck with your request and let us all know how it goes! Ok?

Quote from: King Phoenix on May 10, 2016, 09:12:06 PM
That's awesome news, Princess. I am actually looking into this name change process myself. I live in Florida and here I swear it costs freakin' $400! So I'm gonna look into filling out a fee waiver and see if I can have this done that way. Good luck with your request and let us all know how it goes! Ok?

Yea i was almost positive it would cost me around 500 dollers but i found of the clerk of courts page they charge very little.  no money judgment, 814.61(1)(a) $164.50 30203  $75 filing fee, $68 CSS, $21.50 JINFO
includes name change, declaratory judgment, mandamus,30405  habeas corpus, minor settlements, vital statistics amendments And to make it even better.


then after getting the name change then get it changed with the social security administation. Then i can get the M changed to an F


Wisconsin: DOT- DIS division allows gender change on drivers license prior to surgery, or if no surgery is planned. A person must be under the care of a therapist , psychologist, or psychartrist and that care person can then write what is commonly know as a "Carry Letter" for the TG person in question. The TG person can be enrolled in a transgender program leading to SRS/GRS or not. Wisconsin does link their driver record with the SSA, but this should not be a problem as long as the SSN, Name, Address, Age, etc. is all correct.

Quote from: PrincessLulu on May 10, 2016, 09:22:06 PM
Yea i was almost positive it would cost me around 500 dollers but i found of the clerk of courts page they charge very little.  no money judgment, 814.61(1)(a) $164.50 30203  $75 filing fee, $68 CSS, $21.50 JINFO
includes name change, declaratory judgment, mandamus,30405  habeas corpus, minor settlements, vital statistics amendments And to make it even better.


then after getting the name change then get it changed with the social security administation. Then i can get the M changed to an F


Wisconsin: DOT- DIS division allows gender change on drivers license prior to surgery, or if no surgery is planned. A person must be under the care of a therapist , psychologist, or psychartrist and that care person can then write what is commonly know as a "Carry Letter" for the TG person in question. The TG person can be enrolled in a transgender program leading to SRS/GRS or not. Wisconsin does link their driver record with the SSA, but this should not be a problem as long as the SSN, Name, Address, Age, etc. is all correct.

So for you to have your gender marker changed to female, in your state, you don't need surgery first? I think where I am, I would need to at least get top surgery. I guess that makes sense in society's mindset but I honestly think that it's unfair because not every transgender person even desires surgery or hormones.

Yeah, I am trying to get my therapist to write a carry letter too but he keeps putting it off. I haven't a clue what the hold up is. I get so many weird looks when I show my I.D. and stuff. Sometimes I am not even believed to be the same person. I fear that this will only get worse once I am on T.

May I ask how you handled starting HRT while having your current legal name? I am really scared of the judging and criticizing that really could happen all because of my name and the picture. I know I can change the picture by next month, so I am not too worried about that. But I don't want to walk around with a name that just doesn't match how I look or feel. Just horrible.

Quote from: King Phoenix on May 10, 2016, 09:42:06 PM
So for you to have your gender marker changed to female, in your state, you don't need surgery first? I think where I am, I would need to at least get top surgery. I guess that makes sense in society's mindset but I honestly think that it's unfair because not every transgender person even desires surgery or hormones.

Yeah, I am trying to get my therapist to write a carry letter too but he keeps putting it off. I haven't a clue what the hold up is. I get so many weird looks when I show my I.D. and stuff. Sometimes I am not even believed to be the same person. I fear that this will only get worse once I am on T.

May I ask how you handled starting HRT while having your current legal name? I am really scared of the judging and criticizing that really could happen all because of my name and the picture. I know I can change the picture by next month, so I am not too worried about that. But I don't want to walk around with a name that just doesn't match how I look or feel. Just horrible.

yes thats all it takes i confiremed this with the dmv. I did get a id with my female look right away to help with that. but i always use my preffered name unless required to do otherwise. My therapist is more than willing to write my letter she even asked me if there was anything she can do to help me.  and tbh im sure ppl talk about me behind my back but no one says anything to me really ever. and yea i deffintally agree with that my job had to use my legal name in the directory which means anyone can see it. Thats what promted me to get my name change done instead of waiting around. Best of luck to you

I suspect if you have trouble with the name change it will be because of your record. You should bring a copy of the law should the judge question that issue.

I still need to change my birth certificate in Wisconsin even tough I haven't been in the state for about 54 years and I haven't used my dead name for about 36 years. My publication would have to occur in Arizona a state that hasn't had any dealings in my old name for around 40 years and I transitioned in California. The publication of my name change will serve no purpose other than to blow any cover I wish to maintaining because any dealing I have had under my old name are ancient history. Maybe I will just forget about changing the thing as I never use it.

Yea i am looking for a law that states it mostly isnt even mentioned in the county i live in. I am awaiting a response from the clerk of courts of what kind of paper work i need and i plan to get a written approval from my probation agent, she is very nice with me. I am not too worried though because if everything didn't work out i can thank the fact that my male name is also a female name.

Just an update;


Talked with a probation officer who is willing to write something for court even possibly show up in court.


Only real negative is the fact this will cost around 300 dollars with newspaper article before i can go to court in front of a judge. and if it gets denied i just wasted my time and money. The only case i could find where in wisconsin a name change was denied due to a criminal record relates to a male who wanted to change his name.


The state's interest in identifying a convicted felon by his current name during
incarceration and while on parole was sufficient cause to deny a name change petition.
Williams v. Racine County Circuit Court,


NAME CHANGE ATTEMPT   (Adrian Scott Williams to Romanceo Sir Tasty Maxibillion) although i am not someone to be questioning others, this seems like a far fetch no matter who it is.

(After conducting a hearing, the trial court found that the State has a legitimate interest in identifying Williams as
"Adrian Scott Williams," both during his incarceration and while on parole.  The court noted: The State ... has a legitimate interest in being able to identify and identify  quickly  those  persons  both  within  prison and on parole who have been convicted of serious crimes.    Certainly  four  armed  robberies  and  four armed  burglaries  ...  would  trigger  a  need  for  the State  to  be  able  to  identify  the  person  who  had committed those offenses and was in prison.    ... And there would be a need that the State would have to have an ability to know who the persons are who would be released, and then move into the neighborhoods of communities about the state so that they would know  that  such  a  convicted  person--again  four armed robberies, four armed burglaries--was living)




In my situation i have never been to prison and i have permission from my probation officer with my detailed record of common usage and proof that i am not going to be committing any fraudulent reasons behind this. I am hopeful, however either way I've already lost the money if it does get denied. Which at that point ill be glad my name is a gender fluid name.I plan to create a very well played out and detailed form of reasons on why i should be allowed to change my name and with my probation officers help i believe it will look somewhat in my favor. Regardless of what happens i had to try to do this for my transition that's what matters most.  although i belive that my transition is going great. I also found out that i can get my drivers licsense gender changed without having had to complete my transition so thats kinda good news no matter what. Alls they need is papers from my doctors stating that i am indeed in a gender program that does or does not lead to grs.  WOOT   
Any ideas on what things i could use in court? . You must be a resident of Wisconsin. The petition must be filed in the county of your residence.


The court may grant the petition "if no sufficient cause is shown to the contrary." That could be pretty broadly interpreted either for or against a petitioner.

Quote from: PrincessLulu on May 13, 2016, 05:20:18 PM
Just an update;


Talked with a probation officer who is willing to write something for court even possibly show up in court.


Only real negative is the fact this will cost around 300 dollars with newspaper article before i can go to court in front of a judge. and if it gets denied i just wasted my time and money. The only case i could find where in wisconsin a name change was denied due to a criminal record relates to a male who wanted to change his name.


The state's interest in identifying a convicted felon by his current name during
incarceration and while on parole was sufficient cause to deny a name change petition.
Williams v. Racine County Circuit Court,


NAME CHANGE ATTEMPT   (Adrian Scott Williams to Romanceo Sir Tasty Maxibillion) although i am not someone to be questioning others, this seems like a far fetch no matter who it is.

(After conducting a hearing, the trial court found that the State has a legitimate interest in identifying Williams as
"Adrian Scott Williams," both during his incarceration and while on parole.  The court noted: The State ... has a legitimate interest in being able to identify and identify  quickly  those  persons  both  within  prison and on parole who have been convicted of serious crimes.    Certainly  four  armed  robberies  and  four armed  burglaries  ...  would  trigger  a  need  for  the State  to  be  able  to  identify  the  person  who  had committed those offenses and was in prison.    ... And there would be a need that the State would have to have an ability to know who the persons are who would be released, and then move into the neighborhoods of communities about the state so that they would know  that  such  a  convicted  person--again  four armed robberies, four armed burglaries--was living)




In my situation i have never been to prison and i have permission from my probation officer with my detailed record of common usage and proof that i am not going to be committing any fraudulent reasons behind this. I am hopeful, however either way I've already lost the money if it does get denied. Which at that point ill be glad my name is a gender fluid name.I plan to create a very well played out and detailed form of reasons on why i should be allowed to change my name and with my probation officers help i believe it will look somewhat in my favor. Regardless of what happens i had to try to do this for my transition that's what matters most.  although i belive that my transition is going great. I also found out that i can get my drivers licsense gender changed without having had to complete my transition so thats kinda good news no matter what. Alls they need is papers from my doctors stating that i am indeed in a gender program that does or does not lead to grs.  WOOT   
Any ideas on what things i could use in court? . You must be a resident of Wisconsin. The petition must be filed in the county of your residence.


The court may grant the petition "if no sufficient cause is shown to the contrary." That could be pretty broadly interpreted either for or against a petitioner.

Stupid question but could you get a fee waiver on the news paper article at all?

im quite doubtfull on that since it goes into their legal section and they want around 100 dollars for it.. and not to mention that also has to be paid before going to court and getting approved  or denied 

Quote from: PrincessLulu on May 13, 2016, 05:45:27 PM
im quite doubtfull on that since it goes into their legal section and they want around 100 dollars for it.. and not to mention that also has to be paid before going to court and getting approved  or denied 

Could you ask your Clerk of Court if a waiver exists for that? I think that is ridiculous to make people pay so much for the newspaper gig. I mean, some people are impoverished. How are they supposed to make ends meet? I wonder if that ever crosses the court's mind.

Let's hope you get approved.

thanks ill keep this updated for others seeking similar situations. good to be out there.

Quote from: PrincessLulu on May 13, 2016, 06:02:39 PM
thanks ill keep this updated for others seeking similar situations. good to be out there.

If you like, you could write a blog. That's a great way to share your name change journey. Susan's has a blogging section. You don't have to, but just thought to let you know it's there.

So far i have my name change hearing in the news paper which is going to be on june 23rd. so far i have actually stopped worrying about this. Looking forward to it.

had court today everyone when the judge asked if i had a record i told him yes and he didnt care as long as it wasnt a sexual predtor type case. he granted the name change its legal now!! 

Congrats on completing your name change! 

I live in Cook County, Illinois (the same county that the city of Chicago is in).  The filing fee here is $359.  And the newspaper publication fee was $165.  Yep, $524 to change my name before obtaining certified copies of the court order (at $9 each).

Oh, and since I am a naturalized US Citizen, I don't have a US birth certificate.  So instead I need to do my name and gender change on my Certificate of Naturalization - the filing fee for that is $345.

So when all is said and done, I'll have spent close to $1000 in total just to change my name.  Ugh.

Congratulations. I changed mine on June 6th and it felt awesome.

I did my license and they were very nice. The whole experience was great.