Hi!
Can anyone speak to the timeline for getting name and gender changed after the court decree? I have heard 30 days but I am not sure 30 days to get exactly what done. Is it Social Security, MVA, everything. My decree was issued July 14th but I am stuck waiting for my doctor letter. I am getting anxious about getting everything done. Thanks if you know. Oh I am in Maryland.
Moni

I can only comment on the name change aspect.

I recently (a few months ago) had my court date for the name change. I was given a court order ( paid for it actually) the day of.

I was able to immediately go to the social security office and get things changed over there.

MVD requires at least 3-4 days after changing your name with Social Security. I was able to change things at MVD the following week  (now 7 days out).

It took about 10 days to get my new license, and from there i started tackling all the other accounts.

Lessons I learned.
Have your court order, both licenses and social security cards with you.

Even in state and federal government it seems there is no uniform rules for what documentation is needed. Best to bring it all with you.

Expect your credit report to get screwed up with a new profile until after all financial accounts are lined up.

If you can make copies and/or digitize a packet, makes things easier for out of state stuff, student loans, and even PayPal.

Be ready to have an answer for reason of name change. I got asked repeatedly why, seems most customer support reps get the change request for either marriage or divorce.

First name changes are more complicated/need more documentation than last name.

The  MVD agent told me usps may not deliver license without the delivery person being aware of name change (fraud).  I couldn't find any online tool to change first name. In the end I called my postmaster and asked. A note to the postman on my mailbox sufficed.

Re gender marker, I was told by the officer of the court that after I had the paperwork in hand (in AZ a statement saying I was "irrevocably committed" to my gender transition from my endo) I could submit the paperwork at the court for a gender marker change at no additional cost.

From there it would be another run over to Social Security and MVD for gender change and then submitting those new documents to any medical insurers.

So.. If took about 2 weeks total for social security and MVD, and I'm at about 90% changed over with all my other accounts.

Good luck and Congratulations!


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Dear Brooke,
Thank you so much for the detailed response. I expect I will need my letters for the gender change. I am just nervous about getting it all done in the time frame the powers that be require.
Moni

Hi Moni,

I would try to find any trans resources in your area that may provide a guide for various resources and processes (including name/gender change requirements for your state). As these requirements are different for different areas, you may stumble upon exactly what is needed based on experience.

Is there a reason you want/need to get the gender change done by a certain date?

If you already had your court appearance and court order for your name change, I might suggest working your way through Social Security and MVD. I have found that besides insurance, Social Security, and MVD there are not many places where your gender marker comes into play in day to day situations. Heck even when I get carded, I've never had any issues in regards to gender marker.

If there is a hard deadline it may also be worth getting as much of the name change administrative paperwork out of the way, making the gender marker more of an amendment to whats already completed.

If it is the amount of actual prep/face time with different organizations, having a full set of documents with you can be handy. I have lost count of the number of times I happen to have an extra 30 min, AND am right next to a place that needs updating.

In any case I wish you luck and ease in the legal paperwork.

Brooke

Dear Brooke,

I don't want to do everything twice. It is important to me to get the marker changed. I will probably change the birth certificate also. If I really get down to desperate times, I will have to just do the name and then follow up the gender later. Thanks again.
Moni

Totally understandable!

Remember if your birth certificate is in a different state to check with the state you were born in for their requirements for both name and gender marker. In my experience the forwarding request that some states have (for changes in birth certificates in other states) are very hit or miss. Be prepared to submit a separate request in tue county you were born in and have possibly different requirements. Might be worth seeing if anything in your letters need to be worded  in a particular way ahead of time.

Good luck!


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