Suzy Harrison
04-08-2009, 04:08 AM
Today came the momentous occasion where I officially changed my name.
One of the good things about living in Australia is that most things are easy to do and most people are friendly and very helpful. A good example is changing your name to a female one.
I had already filled out the form which I down-loaded over the net. Normally you would post the application form and documents to the government department, but I had read you can take it in personally and get it all done the same day.
So I phoned ahead and asked if I needed to make an appointment. The friendly person who answered my call cheerfully said:
"Nah mate, bring ya stuff in and we'll run about like chooks and get it done for ya!"
Aussie to US Directory:
Stuff = Application form and documents
Chooks = Chickens
At 2:10pm I arrived in the office, I went straight to the reception desk and told them I wanted to change my name. Immediately I was taken to an interview room. One minute later an official came in and we briefly chatted and I mentioned (for the first time) that this might prove to be difficult as I was changing my name to a female one. "No problem at all" was the answer. I handed over my documents and she went away to photo copy them.
Minutes later she was back in the room, handed back my original documents and took me over to the cashiers desk. Once paid I was told if I came back in an hour everything will be ready for me. I walked out of the office exactly 10 minutes after first going in !
An hour later I was back. I told them my name and she handed over my Certificate of Change of Name. I was back out again in one minute. So the whole process took eleven minutes !
Now I have the certificate I can start changing my name with the banks and driving Licence etc - so easy !
:hugs: Siuzy
One of the good things about living in Australia is that most things are easy to do and most people are friendly and very helpful. A good example is changing your name to a female one.
I had already filled out the form which I down-loaded over the net. Normally you would post the application form and documents to the government department, but I had read you can take it in personally and get it all done the same day.
So I phoned ahead and asked if I needed to make an appointment. The friendly person who answered my call cheerfully said:
"Nah mate, bring ya stuff in and we'll run about like chooks and get it done for ya!"
Aussie to US Directory:
Stuff = Application form and documents
Chooks = Chickens
At 2:10pm I arrived in the office, I went straight to the reception desk and told them I wanted to change my name. Immediately I was taken to an interview room. One minute later an official came in and we briefly chatted and I mentioned (for the first time) that this might prove to be difficult as I was changing my name to a female one. "No problem at all" was the answer. I handed over my documents and she went away to photo copy them.
Minutes later she was back in the room, handed back my original documents and took me over to the cashiers desk. Once paid I was told if I came back in an hour everything will be ready for me. I walked out of the office exactly 10 minutes after first going in !
An hour later I was back. I told them my name and she handed over my Certificate of Change of Name. I was back out again in one minute. So the whole process took eleven minutes !
Now I have the certificate I can start changing my name with the banks and driving Licence etc - so easy !
:hugs: Siuzy