does anyone have any last minute tips to make sure everything goes smoothly? i live in pa, so i'm picking up all the papers from my name searches on monday morning before the hearing, and i'm wearing a suit. is there anything else you guys would suggest? like maybe baking the judge a batch of brownies??

Name changes are fairly simply and judges are use to them ... lots of folks get their name change for a variety of reasons.  Look the judge in the face and answer his questions in a clear voice - don;t mumble.  It will be over before you know it.   I know in MN you have to bring along to two folks to attest to the fact you are who you say are ... so double check to make sure you have everything in order.

show up, smile, be concise in your answers and don't sweat it, chances are you are not the first trans person the judge has done a name change for

I had my name change hearing today. Our case was supposed to be the fourth one heard, but the judge called us up right at the start, said it was approved before we'd even gotten to the front of the room, and sent us on our way.
It was pretty chill. So, I wouldn't worry about it too much.

By the way, I just wore sweats. So either my judge is a very nice guy, a very impatient guy, or it doesn't matter much.

mine was a little more formal.. a significant amount of questions. since it's not really legally required that you tell the judge your life story, when asked my reason for changing my name I just said "I find that my birth name is no longer appropriate." might've seemed like an ass, but now my name is Ryan for good so it doesn't matter

congrats, thats a big step. i been waiting to change my name, but in mass it costs 165 dollars now! its really simple to get your gender on drivers lisence changed too because they passed a law to make it easier for trans people. anyway, when i get money i want to do it at the same time so i can get one new lisence, not have to pay for two.

Quote from: Michael James on June 06, 2011, 09:33:19 PM
congrats, thats a big step. i been waiting to change my name, but in mass it costs 165 dollars now! its really simple to get your gender on drivers lisence changed too because they passed a law to make it easier for trans people. anyway, when i get money i want to do it at the same time so i can get one new lisence, not have to pay for two.

same in pennsylvania it was so freaking easy.. got my new male license in like 20 minutes

Congrats man on the name change 

Quote from: RyGuy on June 07, 2011, 06:52:07 PM
same in pennsylvania it was so freaking easy.. got my new male license in like 20 minutes

thats awesome dude!