I haven't started RLE yet.  But, I thought I would see about posing a question now.  Do you officially change your name before you start RLE? or later as in after RLE has been going for awhile? 

I did mine just before I began RLE.  But each is different and it depends on your plans.

But I had it planned to go full time just after the name change.

I think this is really up to you and how you judge your situation.  I applied for my name change before going RLE but went full-time before the change was final.  (It takes six weeks in my state.)

When I went full time I changed my name - telling everyone I was now Kate.  I already had credit cards and checks in the new name, but my official documents - drivers license, etc. - had to wait until my name was changed legally.

- Kate

I started my name change process right when I started therapy. That way my name change was final a month before I started T. I guess its all on you. My therapist would not let my RLE or T start before the name change unless it was for legal reasons someone could not change it yet.

I had my name changed before therapy, and was fine with it, though it did cause some confusion with law enforcement...oops.  Though that is another story.  I did not get my dl changed, but do have a new social security card in my new name.  I would love to get my dl changed though. 

My personal opinion is it is very important to get an official name change and DL marker change before you go full time. SSA will not change your gender marker and states will generally not change you gender until a MD has certified you have had "irreverseable" genital surgery. I am told a properly written orci letter will work for SSA most of the time. The real ID laws are going to be tough for us.

Pam

Well they day I got my paper work at the court my next stop was the social security office. I handed the lady my name change change document and she went ahead and changed my name and she asked me if I wanted my gender marker changed from F to M and I said yes and she said okay. When she handed me my temp paper to prove I applied for a new card it said my male legal name with an M. And I have no had any surgeries.

I had it legally changed right at the time where I was about to come out at work, and could legally change the gender marker on my DL so they matched.  It was a few more months before I could change SS.

Jay

Quote from: JakeDenver on February 02, 2010, 12:10:54 PM
My therapist would not let my RLE ... start before the name change ...

My therapist was the same about RLE. Although I was full time and on HRT, the 12-month RLE clock began the day the &^&$^&#@# judge said, "Enjoy your new name, SIR."

Robyn

Hmm, I am curious now on what my legal documents would show me as.  I know I have my name legally changed to Melissa Marie, and I have a social security card that is in that new name.  I know they filed some other paperwork, and I have absolutely no clue on what it says.  I know I had a new birth certificate made out too, however have no clue on what it says.  I would have to file in my original state for a "copy" of that certificate, and that costs money that I do not have right now...

My first stop after picking up the court papers was my hairdresser, because the next stop was DMV to get a new license (and picture).  Then it was to the base to get a new military ID.  And then Social Security. 

I've changed my name everywhere I can think of, but I am still legally male.  It hasn't been a problem for me.  Whenever it has come up (a few times), I just say: I'm in transition and still legally male.  So far everyone has gone: Oh, OK.

- Kate

Quote from: K8 on February 02, 2010, 08:20:51 AMI already had credit cards and checks in the new name...

You can do that before your name change is official? I didn't think you could to that (especially the credit cards).

For the OP, in my state you can change your name whenever you want as long as a judge approves it. You can probably change your name whenever you want- before or during RLE.

I have just started therapy (2 weeks) but I have been living as a female now for a few months.  I have drafted the paperwork for my name change and plan on filing those in 2 weeks.  At work I am already known as Stephanie, though my paychecks are still in my male name and cannot be changed until after payroll gets the court papers.

Curiously enough, when I moved to Arizona and got my DL they accidentally put an F on it, and I of course said nothing because that was perfect for me.  When I upgraded my DL to a CDL the F was not changed. 

I have been using the name Stephanie on all paperwork (Log books, Bills of Lading, etc...) for about 3 or so months with no problems and though those are technically legal documents everything seems to be fine for me.

(Did anyone else have a hard time deciding on a middle name??  It took me weeks to do so...)

Have a great day.   

Quote from: Radar on February 09, 2010, 08:40:12 AM
You can do that before your name change is official? I didn't think you could to that (especially the credit cards).

I just called the credit card companies and said I wanted to add Katherine to my account.  I don't remember if I had to fill out forms, but a second set of cards came for her (me).

I called the people who handle my checks.  They know me.  I don't remember if they knew I was a cross-dresser at that point, but I told them I wanted to be able to write checks when I was dressed as Katherine.  It seemed logical to them that I would want checks in a woman's name if I was going to present myself as a woman sometimes.  I had to fill out some forms stating that Katherine and *old-name* are in fact the same person.  It was a hassle - I think it took several go-rounds - but they issued the checks before I changed my name.

Actually, dropping the original name was harder, because all the accounts were still basically under the old name with another name added.

- Kate

Quote from: K8 on February 09, 2010, 04:28:26 PMActually, dropping the original name was harder, because all the accounts were still basically under the old name with another name added.

Thanks for the info Kate. I'll wait and change everything over after the legal name change. My first name is unisex with the male spelling so I'm keeping it and most things just have my middle initial (which is completely female ). I'll be changing my surname too to it's probably better this way.

I'm in the middle of changing my name from male to female. All it took was one letter in my surname, and a redo of my middle name. I kept my name. Since I changed the name the way I did, I can use my middle initial (never use it anyway) and my name, without stating my surname and my surname will sound the same as before. No one will notice much any difference, until I either come out or start RLE. It's kind of sneaky, but it works. At least RLE can begin anytime I choose, without waiting on a capricious government agency to process the name change.

Dylan,

I personally do not think there is a right or wrong time to do a name change, i think when you feel you need to, i knew it was time when i started getting ma'am'd all the time and doors held open for me, a week after getting my name changed i went full time.

Others i know got their names changed before they started hrt and still others have not had their names changed after years of living full time.

Paula