Official Name Change

[Aly Cat]

I know this probably varies by state, but how long does it normally take to do a legal name change, new state ID, etc? I was planning on doing it right at the end of the year, but I may not wait that long. Also, if it does take a long time, should I get started now? My goal is by the new year 2015 I want my name legally changed. Any advice is MUCH appreciated.

[Angela Campbell]

took me about a month from applying to the court to having all new id and all. Took another 2 months to get the birth cert changed.

[Aly Cat]

Do you have to be post op to get the birth certificate changed? I don't foresee that in my near future due to finances.

[Angela Campbell]

depends on the state you were born in. In GA where I was born, I needed a letter stating I had gender changing surgery. In FL where I had FFS they are not allowed to say what kind of surgery so the letter from my plastic surgeon said he performed surgery which changed my gender so the cert was changed. Every state is different.

For the name change I applied to the court and got a court date in about 3 weeks, then spent a few days after that to get most of this done.

[Aly Cat]

Hmm...I was born in Alabama. This could get rough :doh:

I have had no surgeries. Looks like my birth cert. might have to remain unchanged for a good while longer. That won't stop the legal change for DL and all that will it? I'm currently living in GA.

[stefan37]

My legal name change took about 3 months in NJ. It then took a good 6 months to change drivers license, as card, name on birth cert. New bank account, professional licenses, credit cards, professional certifications, etc, etc, ad nauseum.

11 months later I just received my passport and the odd id keeps popping up.

[arbon]

Are you just changing your name or changing your sex marker to? Just name change is usually pretty straightforward by getting a court order and depending on how your state does it can take. Few weeks to a couple months. Mine took about 6 weeks between the time I filed the petition and got the court order. I also had to publish it in the local paper for 4 weeks. You can change your name on your birth certificate after you get your court order. Changing your sex marker on everything gets trickeir though.

[Persephone]

It looks like Alabama does require some sort of surgical proceedure to change birth certificate gender but I'm not sure what types of surgery they might accept, Aly. According to what I've read (click here) (http://www.lambdalegal.org/publications/changing-birth-certificate-sex-designations-state-by-state-guidelines), "Text: (d) Upon receipt of a certified copy of an order of a court of competent jurisdiction indicating that the sex of an individual born in this state has been changed by surgical procedure and that the name of the individual has been changed, the certificate of birth of the individual shall be amended as prescribed by rules to reflect the changes. Notes: Amended birth certificates will note that the sex designation has been changed."

Although very geared toward California, the Transgender Law Center has an excellent document on changing ID (click here) (http://transgenderlawcenter.org/issues/id/id-please).

Hugs,
Persephone.

[Julie Hall]

I applied to change my name at the county clerk on July 3rd and court was the next Monday. I changed my license that same week and two weeks later had the official license. I got a state form from my doctor mailed it in and it took like 3 weeks before I got back the letter from the state to change my gender marker. Just got that this weekend and I'll get the gender marker changed with the new name this week. It does look like changing the gender marker on my birth certificate will take a bit of time - my home state requires GRS - specifically stated. Drat that.

[I Am Paula]

I know the OT was about STATES, but this would be a good forum to just mention what the regs are in our locale. Mods, if you think this is off topic, just delete.

I'm in Ontario Canada. Name change is as simple as a notarized form, and a check for $137. All ID, including gender markers can be changed with a Doctors letter that you are undergoing transition. No surgery, or even specifics. All the new ID is free, and took me less than half hour once the forms were filled out.

[Michelle.M]

depends on the state you were born in.

That's pretty much the real answer on anything that has to do with state laws. They're all different.

A good place to start is a simple web search for Transgender Name Change. Your first hit will prolly be this:

http://www.tsroadmap.com/reality/name-change.html

[Aly Cat]

Paula, I think that's a great idea. I think it would help so many like myself out!

[I Am Paula]

depends on the state you were born in.

I was born in a state of complete undress, and the doctors still got it wrong.

[Lisa O]

I was born in a state of denial that lasted far too long!

Victoria, Australia - Forms in to the State Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages last Friday, will have name change certificate issued after 5 days so I might see it by the end of this week or early next. After that, I can get a new passport in 14 days, DL is instant when I get round to it. These times are for the express service.

I was born in New Zealand so the registrar here doesn't have any say over the birth certificate. My marriage was there too so that doesn't come into it either. All I needed to show was that I had lived in Victoria for 12 months. My Psychiatrist gave me a letter stating that I had affirmed my gender as female and that my name should be changed and he quoted the relevant Govt document.

No surgeries required, no Court applications or visits, no advertising new names, just time being patient with govt departments.

[Aly Cat]

Note to self... Move to Australia!

[PretzelGirl]

Now I can better answer the Utah way. I am surprised that two different district courts handled it differently. A friend and I happened to file at the same time last Friday. She was in Salt Lake City and I was in Ogden. On Monday she got a phone call with a date of the 12th. I was starting to wonder as I didn't get a call right away and that was probably because I was the first name change my clerk had done. She had to fix things a couple of times and called me back once. But yesterday I was notified in the mail that mine was the 14th. So about the same delay but different notification methods.

A related question. What is the rough amount of copies of the name change decree that you would recommend starting with? I suspect showing it in person means you will keep the copy, but some like a passport go in the mail and probably don't get returned.

[I Am Paula]

I got three original copies. I still have them. Everybody that needed to see mine photocopied it, and gave it back. This too probably varies by locale. Conversely, I went thru five original Doctors letters. They all wanted to keep one 'for their records'. My Dr. gave me a handful, and warned me about this.

[stefan37]

I had 5. I have only had 1 not returned. I changed my birth certificate name then applied for my passport. Drivers license and ss card was done send day and I go them back. Most credit card companies, utilities will take a photo copy without the embossed seal. Govt agencies will require an official copy embossed with a pressure seal.

When you apply for your passport with gender change, make sure your doctors includes the sample verbatim, included the state that licensed them. Medical and DEA number. And if possible have them use their pressure seal if they have one. That will eliminate any delays.

Mine got kicked back because they didn't think it was original signature and he neglected to mention the state that licensed him.