ok guys here is the deal.

I am going on an airplane july 15th, and 18th to go visit my dad.

I will be starting T in HOPEFULLY no more then 1-3 weeks. ( I have my letter, I need a endo)

my name is still my legal name, and I was going to change that too in the next 1-3 weeks.

Anyway.. as I cannot yet change the gender marker (big fat F) until.. who knows when, (until top surgery, I don't even know, when CAN I change it on my license?)


soooo.. what I am worried about.. is being 1-2 months on T, with the name Elijah, and a ID that says female.. BUT I am also worried about being 1-2 months on T with the name Maggie, and an ID that says female.

My dad says I should wait to change my name.. but how long does it take to change your name? cause that will then give me a moth before school stats and I HAVE to change it b4 school

some advice would be helpful guys! (and girls!) thanks

I didn't have any problems at the airport with ID or meds, only thing TSA cared about was that the ticket matched ID and the ID picture (passport in my case) had a resemblance to me.

QuoteMy dad says I should wait to change my name.. but how long does it take to change your name?

Depending on your state it took me over a year and a lawyer. I doubt it will happen in a month. Then you have to take your court order to all the other government places to change each thing. Banks, schools, SS, DL, any ownerships, Insurance, voting card, etc. Enjoy it is not a fun process.

Depends on state is right, it took me 2 months.

Changing the name isn't usually the thing that takes time. It's all the other IDs (I'm nearly a year into a BC change but I'm going across borders to do that )

As for travelling, I have a full beard and am about 50lbs heavier than my photo (my photo was pre-transition). Never had an issue to date and I travel a lot (including travel between Canada and the US regularly). I will be honest in that I think some of that is because of having white skin but that is a whole other issue.

My license change was fast--it took two weeks to get the DMV appointment; while I was waiting, I requested and received my doctor's letter. In another ten days, the permanent license arrived in the mail. So it was three and a half weeks from start to finish.

But as LordKAT says, it depends on the state. Some states apparently want proof of surgery; others will accept a doctor's or psychologist's statement that you present and identify as male (or female).

The TSA doesn't care what in your pants as long as it can't explode.

Make sure the ID you use when you check in and the information you use when you buy your ticket match -- whether that says "M" or "F" or "Elijah" or "Maggie." And make sure it's "Margaret" or "Marjorie" or whatever if that's what's on your DL or passport or whatever; make sure the middle name or initial or whatever is also there the same way as it is on the ID.

You can get started on the name change process earlier -- fill out all the paperwork, get your background checks, etc. -- in fact, do it now. You can postpone your court date until after you fly; or simply use your old ID, or mention your situation to the court or call the TSA. But flying should not be a problem. I have had no problem whatsoever travelling within the US with documents that didn't match my presentation.

where I live I won't have to go to court to change my name.. i have to fill out the paperwork, and then I post up a notice of my name change on a wall for 11 days, and then if no one has spoken against my name change, then I can do it.

Quote from: Elijah on May 26, 2010, 12:43:56 PM
where I live I won't have to go to court to change my name.. i have to fill out the paperwork, and then I post up a notice of my name change on a wall for 11 days, and then if no one has spoken against my name change, then I can do it.

Wow, I've never heard of that.

Anyway, everything I've read about airport security supports what Flan and Alyssa have said/experienced.

When I changed my name I went to the court paid the fee, the judge signed the paper and I was done. Took that and my letter from the therapist to the motor vehicle dept had my name and gender changed. went to the social security office and change my name and the lady said she changed my gender marker to and F as well.

It all went pretty smooth for me. Though that was the only day I ever wore a skirt! LOL

Quote from: Elijah on May 26, 2010, 12:43:56 PM
where I live I won't have to go to court to change my name.. i have to fill out the paperwork, and then I post up a notice of my name change on a wall for 11 days, and then if no one has spoken against my name change, then I can do it.

That's kind of how I did it, except instead of posting it on a wall for 11 days I had to put it in the newspaper once a week four times.  I never went to court.

Now, changing all your IDs takes time.

- Kate

The picture is the major thing - that and making sure that your name matches in every place it appears. Your gender marker can be whatever it is, even if it completely contradicts your presentation. Your name can be masculine or feminine or neutral or unpronounceable alien symbols. Just make sure your picture is recent (get a new license within a month of the trip) and your name is exactly the same on your ID, ticket, credit card, and passport if you have one.

That last bit is why it could be a good idea to wait to change your name. Name changes on some documents take longer than others.

I work at an airport - ill ask security for you. 

get back to you soon,
Karen