i'd like to get on with changing my name, i'm just a bit unsure of the policy.... i know that i can do it through deed poll, and as far as i'm aware i can change my title to mr while doing that even if it's not a birth cert change... but then there's a lot of changing on bills and bank accounts which i'm not entirely sure of.  do i need to have the birth certificate changed if i want it changed on my bank account?  can anyone whose been through the process tell me how it went for them, thanks.

No, I don't think so. You will have to show a copy of your deed poll though, I'm sure. And yes, you can change your title to Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms, etc. just not Sir, Lord, Lady, King, etc.

aight... just applied for the documentation so we'll see how it goes.  pretty excited.  i've also got my assessment appointment on april 19th, so things are moving.  can't freakin wait.

You only need to change your name by Deed Poll (which is expensive) if you're a member of a professional body, such as doctor, nurse, police, lawyer, judge etc. Otherwise, you can use the Deed of Change of Name, which costs very little.

You can even make them yourself - there are sample texts online for doing this properly. The important thing is to sign it and get it properly witnessed, with your old and new signature (even if this hasn't changed!) on it, and then it's worth getting a solicitor to make "certified copies" which you can send to banks etc. to get your paperwork changed. Normally the passport office and DVLA will want to see the original.

Here's a link to the version I used to make my own deed, and this has been accepted by everyone so far (this is free to download):

http://www.lawontheweb.co.uk/Legal_Documents/Changing_your_Name/Deed_of_Change_of_Name

ah thanks, five minutes too late, but it's good info for anyone else looking into it.  i didn't think the cost was that expensive, but i guess it's relative.

Oh well, you posted while I was looking up the link, sorry .

Still, the more "official" the name change the better, I expect. I phoned my bank to ask what they required, and was told they just needed a letter from my GP (or gender clinic). When I double-checked at the local branch, I had a run-in with a transphobic manager who tried to tell me I needed a full GRC before I could change my bank account title to Ms. So I won't be doing it through him!

I currently have everything I need for all my papers to get changed - except the robustness to go through with it right now. No rush, but I'd really like to see the Mr disappear from my cards and chequebook and so on.

yeah i bet, good luck with it all.

You too, fella .

I found that you needtwo proofs to change details such as your driving licence and educational qualifications.  A letter from your GP will suffice.

Good luck with your application Schism!
As Padma said, you only need to change it by deed poll. I think in terms of then changing other things like name with the bank, it can vary. I went into my bank and spoke to them there (unfortunately they didnt take me into a room, I had to practically whisper out in the open to the woman, my situation.) The woman I spoke to was great. Was very understanding and didnt bat an eyelid. I was 19 and had been on T about 2 months, so had practically no changes. I looked (and felt) about 12. She helped me out a great deal. I had with me my deed poll and that was all I needed.
    Also, if youre looking into changing your passport, I think I called up and/or did it online, I cant quite remember, but all I needed was a copy of my deed poll, and a letter from my clinic. All of my documents are as male. (I just havent got the birth certificate sorted yet. But am sorting my GRC).
   I hope that all the people you speak with are understanding and make things go smoothly for you. Its so crap to hear of, like Padma experienced, people being nobs!

It's good when it's good . My situation is made complicated because I'm not changing my name from an obvious male to an obvious female one, I already have a Buddhist name that's gender-neutral. So when the time comes to change my gender flag on my accounts and passport etc., it's not my name that's changing, I've already done that a while ago.