That's pretty much what I did Eleanor. But I made it official-looking by having a deed poll. They initially was going to tell me they couldn't because it was not a court document, but I pointed out that we don't have to do that in the UK and that I have no US birth certificate to amend. So after talking with her supervisor, we got it changed. It was cheaper, quicker andand easier than going through the US courts and it is perfectly 100% legal. They wouldn't change my gender marker though without proof of surgery. But, at this time, I'm not worried about it.

Next up is my drivers licence.

All I needed for a court order was $175 (since that's the fee for anything to get done in the courts in the State of Louisiana) and a petition for name change with my birth certificate and my SS card. 2 weeks later, I got my court order

Now.. to amend the certificate... which sucks cuz I was born in Texas.

Whoa, it really differs from country to country... So you have to go to the court in the US? Whoa... And in Scotland, it's so simple! o:

Here, you have to send a form, and if it's a name of the other gender, you need an authorisation from the psychiatrist/other saying that it's a legitimate change and you're TS and stuff... Or maybe you just need that because you don't have the usual prerequisites of having a serious reason like having a ridiculous name, one that's foreign and hard to pronounce or having used a different name for at least 5 years...

So far, it's easy, but the annoying part is the 4-month delay (so you reaaaally must plan out in advance the date you go full-time, assuming you don't want to be without your name officially changed)... and the fees of over 300 $.

What's worrying me is that there's a legal requirement to publish an announcement of the name change in a local newspaper, plus having it officially published in the province's official gazette... Which might be outing material eventually. I'm not overly worried, because I'd guess people would have to really search, but let's say I'd prefer it not being so.

I never had to go to court, the judge rubber stamped it without any trial. I just had to pay the filing fee pretty much. It was easy (with a lawyer friends help)... he filled out the petition (that I probably could've done myself if I copied someone elses). I literally did nothing else for 2 weeks, and then he called me out of the blue and said the judge signed off on it. Yay!

Mine was easy.  When before the judge, after a long wait.  I sat there for about an hour.  Then the judge called my old name (for  the last time).  He asked me to state my name. which I did.  He looked at me for a bit, and then he said "Granted".  That was it.

Congratulations, girls.  Monumental step. 

ccongratulations =DD

Quote from: Keaira on June 06, 2012, 02:47:42 AM
Thanks everyone. My steps will differ from Alaina's because of my nationality I'm sure. And in the long run it was easier and cheaper than. But only works if you are British unfortunately. But I won't hijack Alaina's thread.

Congrats Keaira!!!

Quote from: Keaira on June 06, 2012, 11:45:46 AM
That's pretty much what I did Eleanor. But I made it official-looking by having a deed poll. They initially was going to tell me they couldn't because it was not a court document, but I pointed out that we don't have to do that in the UK and that I have no US birth certificate to amend. So after talking with her supervisor, we got it changed. It was cheaper, quicker andand easier than going through the US courts and it is perfectly 100% legal. They wouldn't change my gender marker though without proof of surgery. But, at this time, I'm not worried about it.

Next up is my drivers licence.

Yeah, while legally speaking the bar napkin deed poll is an acceptable option, it's probably going to raise a few eyebrows. I typed up a deed poll using text from the internet instead. I then had to laminate it for the UK passport office, who required that all name change documents be laminated. Though that doesn't change the fact that it's... still a document I drew up myself in Microsoft Word in all of five minutes. After seeing how easy it was for me to change my name, one of my friends was joking that he might change his name to "Batman" for a few years just so that when he graduates, they'll have to read that out. :'D

And regarding the gender marker, it could be worth pressing the point, as you don't actually need surgery for that here in the UK. I was able to change my passport gender six months after coming out simply by sending the passport office a letter from my GP saying that I was undergoing treatment and that my change of sex was expected to be permanent. And the system for birth certificates is essentially the same with the added guidelines that you have to be able to demonstrate that you have been living in your assigned gender role full time for two years, and that you have to have a formal diagnosis by an actual specialist. I'm almost sure than neither require surgery. Though I guess a lot depends on how willing your GP / psychiatrists are to write you the magic letters. Some might ask that "evidence that you are living in your gender role permanently" entail surgery, even though it's not explicitly stated in law. D:

I went though the UK Deed Poll Service so they have it archived back in the UK. I have the original Deed poll plus 2 legal copies. I didn't have to publish my name change in the papers, so I got things done pretty quickly. If I had known it would be that easy, I would have done it the day I got my Deed Poll. I had  Joe from HR witness and sign on it. HAHAHAHA!!

Congratulations. 

It was no big deal for me, I just changed all the details over one afternoon with a statutory declaration about 10 years ago.

Quote from: Keaira on June 07, 2012, 01:32:44 AM
I went though the UK Deed Poll Service so they have it archived back in the UK. I have the original Deed poll plus 2 legal copies. I didn't have to publish my name change in the papers, so I got things done pretty quickly. If I had known it would be that easy, I would have done it the day I got my Deed Poll. I had  Joe from HR witness and sign on it. HAHAHAHA!!

Keaira, I've never heard of people having to publish their name changes in the paper? is this a USA or U.K thing? I've not heard of that before and it seems very intrusive?

It's a US requirement for a legal name change in a few, if not all US states. a 6 week run in a paper announcing your name change.

Quote from: Keaira on June 08, 2012, 05:48:03 AM
It's a US requirement for a legal name change in a few, if not all US states. a 6 week run in a paper announcing your name change.

I'm not sure most states use it anymore.  I know I had no requirement to publish mine at all in TN.

Oregon only requires it be posted on a bulletin board in the clerks office, till your court date.

My birth certificate has come back. In the course of a day, I have changed the name on

- Drivers license
- Social Security card (The card will be here in 2 weeks)
- Bank Accounts
- School ID / Name at school
- Unemployment account
- Car insurance
- Cell phone account

Things I have left to change (that I can think of)

- Credit bureaus
- High School Diploma
- Electric Bill
- Gas Bill
- Cosmetology License
- Car note