I have my name change hearing on Tuesday. I'm in Ohio, and I put the reason down for my wanting to change my obviously female name to Kevin as "This is the name I go by with my family and friends and I'd like to make it my legal name," or something similar to that. And now I'm really nervous that the judge will deny the name change... how often does that happen? I've been nervous for a while and almost posted a thread before, but I was like ... nah, I just have to wait it out because what's gonna happen will happen whether or not I post a thread about it... but I'm finding myself increasingly nervous and decided to just post.

I think most states will grant it fairly liberally unless they think you're trying to evade creditors and avoid debt collectors.

I put personal on mine.  I think it will be kinda obvious when I go though as to why.

Jay, hoping to drop off paperwork this week; just found out I need another affidavit that had never been mentioned that needs to be notarized...

When I go for my name change, I'll say it straight up. "I am going through a gender transition. I want a legal name that more accurately presents my identity."

In reality, my gender isn't transitioning, but I use that term because that's how most people see it; they think I'm a girl becoming a boy where I'm really a boy who's not going to pretend to be a girl anymore.

I looked at alot of websites and they said the you can simply change your name based on the fact that you dont like it. But..., what if you get the wrong jugde, but you can also get the right one! I hope it goes well for you.

Can't say from personal knowledge...but didn't Miley Cyrus make her legal name Miley just cause people always called her that anyway?

Ah, don't be nervous, Kevin. The blank on the form for reason is pretty silly. "Common usage" is the legal term for "Everybody calls me this already" and it's what you should have put in the blank. I assure you that the judge has no time or interest to hear any stories that somebody is a transsexual. When you request a change from "Betty Sue" to "Kevin" they can figure it out for themselves.

And if the judge is really nice, don't forget to bring a camera so that you can have a photo of you and the judge snapped at your proud moment!

Good luck

I had my name changed at the age of 15/16 in the state of Minnesota. It was a breeze. I filled out "personal reasons", sat in the hearing area with a bunch of other people in there for traffic violations etc. Judge called my name, asked why I wanted to change my name, I said "It's what I've been going by for years, and it's who I'm in the process of becomming". He nodded his head, and that was that. Don't be nervous.

Quote from: trapthavok on August 18, 2008, 03:00:05 PM
Can't say from personal knowledge...but didn't Miley Cyrus make her legal name Miley just cause people always called her that anyway?

Miley is my HERO 

Sure you'll be fine. They've probably had many other cases, I doubt there'll be any problem. Just be honest (but succinct) about it, I guess.

All the best!

Lutin

Thanks for the replies everyone! It was really no big deal and a lot less nerve-wracking then I expected. It was quick and easy, and ... well it was just really easy, there's not really any other way I can explain it, haha. It's ridiculous how easy it is to just explain this situation now, when a year ago I could barely tell people to call me by a different name. But yep, thanks for the replies!