Making the Name Change

[Ariamythe]

I've been reading a lot about the transitioning of Chelsea Manning today (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/22/bradley-manning-woman-chelsea-gender-reassignment). Now, obviously her case is unusual, and the timing of her announcement somewhat forced upon her by her circumstances. Maybe it's partly social/political statement, but it is worth noting that she's made the change almost literally as the first step in her process. She hasn't started any HRT, life experience, etc.

It got me wondering about less unusual transition stories and name changes. So I thought I'd as you all. At what point in your transition did you decide to make the name change? Not neccessarily legally, but maybe just in the sense of "Hey, friends and family, I've decided to go by the name Alison now and ask that you call me by that name and use female pronouns when addressing me." Did you do it early on? Only after you'd started developing on HRT?

And if you haven't yet: When do you plan to? If at all?

Online is one thing -- I'm already doing that -- but I'm just looking ahead and wondering when's the right time to "pull the trigger."

[Angela Campbell]

My plan is to have the legal name change, and gender change done at the time I go full time. Maybe next spring or summer. I will take a week off of work and get all the work done and when I return to work I will officially have a new name, DL and all other documents to match. (or at least have as many as I can done) At that point there will be no more male clothes or anything else male in my life or home. I will never present again as anything other than what I am. Whatever happens with friends and family between now and then is still to be seen, but that is the absolute cut off time.

The reason for the delay is to get further along with electrolysis and letting my hair grow. Possibly some facial surgery as well.

When is the right time to pull the trigger? That depends on you and your circumstances.

[I Am Paula]

I started using a female name as soon as I started going out in public years ago. When I decided to actually transition tho' I started using a feminization of my given name.
I have just begun filling out documents for my name change, and digging up the ness. documents. Should be about three months.
My gender on documents is moving along slowly, as some need the name change, or seem strange without it. I got my F drivers license with my male name, so I'll have to get another. Might have jumped the gun there. When my new birth cert. arrives with my F name, it will have a M gender, so I'll have to replace that too!
Hurry up and do everything twice.
One great thing about Canada. Your legal gender is that which you think it is. One Dr. or therapist has to agree, and sign off that this is your preferred presentation.

[Rianna Humble]

I made the legal name change on the first day of my RLE and it was my manager at work who countersigned the documents to make it official. From that day forward, I have been Ms Rianna Humble. In the run up to that, I had discussed it first with my family then with my manager and my HR rep.

By the time that I got to see a Gender Specialist, nearly all of my official documents were showing my correct name and gender.

[Jorja]

I had made the decision and put all of the paperwork in motion the day after I was formally discharged from the military. That day happened to coincide with my first day of RLE. I was freshly out of the military and between jobs. There was no one to ansewer too except me. My family all knew this was my plan for a very long time.

[Nicole Brown]

I started using the name Nicole when I started going out on a regular basis 3 or 4 years ago and began utilizing this, and other forums. I have been on hormones for 7 months, am 1 month into my RLE and have my first FFS scheduled in less than 4 weeks. My drivers license contains Nicole's picture and my gender is listed as female. I currently have both MasterCards and Am Ex cards in Nicole's name. I am scheduling my GRS for September 2014 and will legally change my name once that surgery is completed.

[stefan37]

It is a highly personal decision when to legally change your name. Maybe now was not the right time for me maybe it was. In any case my name change is legal. My new social security card is in the mail. I will be changing both name and gender on my drivers license this coming week. The time felt right for me and I moved forward. The paperwork and court hearing wasbthw easy part. Now to do bank, credit cards, 4 professional ljcenses, etc, etc. It feels good to see my new name and have people address me as such. When I receive my amended birth certificate I will then apply for a passport.

[sandra-leigh]

All of my regular appointments are now asked to call me Sandra, but the name hasn't made its way "back home" to my friends from high school and university. I also still do my volunteer work (that keeps up my professional reputation) in my legal name.

A month ago I was my firmer in my resolution to change name legally in the next half year or so; now that my relationship is maybe going a bit better, I'm floundering again.