Changing name and gender marker, Where? Everywhere or just somewheres?

[Kate T]

Obviously I'm changing my name now being full time. Thankfully in Australia thanks to a Federal government guideline on the recommendation of sex and gender changing ones name and gender marker particularly on government documents is actually pretty straightforward. All that is required is a letter of verification from a registered medical practitioner (even a GP can write one) stating the preferred name and gender and away you go. I've just changed all of my professional registrations and will be starting to work through all of the standard what I will call "living" ID's (drivers licence, credit cards, even passport) but I must admit I'm a little bit in two minds about what I am going to call "Point in time documents" e.g. my university degree, marriage certificate (like we can change that anyway) and even birth certificate. It is possible to get a "recognition of name and gender" document from Australian registers of birth deaths and marriages that is sort of like a revision of your birth certificate but your original birth certificate still remains a valid "birth" certificate.

A part of the reason I'm in two minds is that I don't really identify with the "I always knew I was a girl" thing. Yeah, I was always different, but I just had no concept within my head that I can remember that I KNEW I was a girl. The other reason is that I recognise that as it stands the document is accurate, I was born a genetic and physiological male and my mother gave me my name. Yes, I'm different now but I have changed. I mean no offence to individuals who have strong feelings and have a fundamental concept that they were NEVER male, I do sort of get that and understand the need to change birth certificate.

So I guess I'm curious, how have others dealt with this. Did you go back and get every document changed. Did you have to get your birth certificate changed in order to get a passport (a "live" document) and if you didn't have to would you?

Thankyou

[Aprilrain]

I changed everything that I could.
I was born in one of, i think, only two states where you can't change your birth certificate but if I could I would.
I didn't grow up "knowing I was female" or "hating my genitals" or blah blah blah whatever the TS narrative is. But I don't see why that would matter, I transitioned ,why would I want any documents lying around that identify me as male?

[Kate T]

That's cool April. I understand. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer, I was just interested to hear how and why people had changed things. I am sorry though that you can't change your birth certificate.

[Rianna Humble]

I have not yet applied for the Gender Recognition Certificate that would allow me to get a new birth certificate, but I haven't bothered with qualifications as I have not even seen the original certificates in over 40 years. Again, not suggesting this is the right approach, just the one that works for me.

[Nigella]

I recently had my birth and marriage certificates amended to reflect my name and gender as recognised by the UK's Gender Recognition Certificate. As with Australia's records, the "original" certificates remain "live", but for myself, will never be used for any purpose. I have yet to apply for a passport in my new gender/name, but there are clear guidelines for this as well.

As for the day to day changes, they were made once I had officially changed my name by deed poll, some 8 years before being "officially" recognised as Nigella, a female. Certificates and such like that were registered prior to my name change remain in "his" name, I see no point in going through the red tape necessary to change them, when they have no impact on my life now.

I guess there will be some point in time when the two will clash, but until then, the documents necessary for me to live as my true self are in place and the rest will be dealt with as and when.

[I Am Paula]

In Canada, we need a birth cert. to get a passport. That's the only reason I changed mine. Other than that, I've never needed it.
My marriage cert. is unchanged. I believe all the rest have my new identity.

[PretzelGirl]

Kate, I felt the same as you in that I never felt "I always knew I was a girl". I stuffed my personality somewhat and just tried to conform to fit in, so I never went through a discovery phase. Even given that, I am still trying to change everything I can. It is needed to limit discriminations as documents may need to be presented for jobs, etc. I want as clean a path as possible there.

But as far being accurate about the past, I believe honoring my previous self with my family does that. I don't bury it, but set it a layer away from everyone else. I thought hard about it and will probably put some pictures and other stuff of my male life up in my downstairs den, particularly pictures with my kids and grandkids. When someone who is unfamiliar with me comes over, they see Sue through the living room, dining room, and kitchen as those kind of guests remain upstairs. Then those who are more familiar with me might end up in the den to relax and also the guest rooms are downstairs. This way my kids still have that and so do my siblings. My wife has those memories and ultimately, so do I and I treasure those memories. I am fortunate that I can do this because I don't feel the need to erase my past. Some have to erase their past and probably can't do something like I am doing and I get that.

[I Am Paula]

I didn't NEED to erase my past. I'm quite open about my status. Ask, I'll answer. I erased my past for the sake of completeness. I went as far as taking down (but not destroying) photos of myself at relatives homes. I'm not embarrassed about my past, it is just...the past.

[PretzelGirl]

Sorry Paula. I probably should have went further with my wording and I didn't intend to make that strong an inference.

[Angela Campbell]

There is also the convenience part of this. I wouldn't want to have documentation that shows me as anything but what I am. That can cause issues down the road, having to explain.

I changed everything. Didn't want to be in between in any situation.

[Badtranny]

I didn't grow up "knowing I was female" or "hating my genitals" or blah blah blah whatever the TS narrative is.

LOL

LOVE!


Anyhoo, I think I've changed all of the official stuff; Driver's License, Passport, Birth Cert, Social Security, etc.

I've also changed most of the credit accounts; house, car, banks. They only things left are a few accounts that I just don't care to deal with. I ran out of steam I guess. ;-)

[Rachel Smith]

I changed everything that I could.
I was born in one of, i think, only two states where you can't change your birth certificate but if I could I would.
I didn't grow up "knowing I was female" or "hating my genitals" or blah blah blah whatever the TS narrative is. But I don't see why that would matter, I transitioned ,why would I want any documents lying around that identify me as male?

April,
I must have been born in the other or else we were both born in PA (lol) because I can't change my birth cert either. Also since I can't change it on my birth cert my health insurance company also lists me as male because they go by what is on your bc. Everything else has been changed to Rachel and female.