My Courtroom Experience for Name Change (NJ)

[Guest sydney]

Today was the big day to finalize my name change. The court proceedings today was certainly a surreal moment. The judge's secretary called my yesterday to confirm and verify I had all my documents needed. She told me to be there at 8:30 and the courtroom would open at 8:15 and to just come in. She knew I was transgender as I put it as a reason to change my name to reflect my female identity and she said come dressed as myself. The courtroom was in the Rotunda building in the Bergen County Courthouse (NJ) and this is the older part with the huge courtrooms with marble, murals, and stain glass complete with a balcony level. I walked in and the secretary came out of the corner door (from her office) and greeted me and was very friendly and asked for my documents so she could make copies for the court. She noticed the ring my wife had given me and commented on how lovely it looked. She said not to be nervous, but we just have to go through certain legal motions and it will be over with in 30 minutes. Once we got started I was alone in this huge room with only the judge, secretary and clerk and it was recorded (both audio and video.) After I was sworn it, the judge asked me a few questions and she was pleasant to during the proceedings. For legal reasons she had to refer to me with male pronouns but apologized for having to do that, but switch the female pronouns as we continued and she got tripped up a few times where she was suppose to use male pronouns, and we have to redo the beginning because the recording equipment wasn't recording properly. I was surprised she asked my how long I had been on HRT and how long I had been living full-time. I answered truthfully and she was satisfied with my answers. The proceedings took about 10 minutes and it was done. Both the Judge and the secretary thanked me for being on time (as there was a big trial case they needed to prep the courtroom for) and wished me good luck. I waited for the signed documents from the judge and 30 days from today, I can legally use Sydney as my name. I still have to publish it in the paper, but that's it. On June 23rd, I'm going directly to DMV to get my new license. Just in time since my license expires on June 30th.

[VickySGV]

Those experiences start out so scary, and end up being almost an anti-climax. Here in Calif, you publish before you see the Judge, but why why why the use the largest and scariest courtrooms I don't know. Congratulations, coming soon, you will not be wanting to forget your license!!

[Guest denise_w]

Wonderful Sydney, simply wonderful!

[Guest sydney]

Those experiences start out so scary, and end up being almost an anti-climax. Here in Calif, you publish before you see the Judge, but why why why the use the largest and scariest courtrooms I don't know. Congratulations, coming soon, you will not be wanting to forget your license!!

It wasn't to bad, the hardest part was the first part of the paperwork. Here we have to publish once before and a second time after the judge to announce the change.

[Charlize]

Sydney,

It's nice to write that. I had to practice Charlize and still love seeing it.

My experiences were similar to yours except that the courtroom was full with several families changing their names. i also had a young male judge. As you noted the paperwork was a pain and so was waiting while everything was published. I was a bit intimidated by the courtroom in Trenton. Oddly that went away before i saw the judge. I was sitting outside with my briefcase and my nice little suit and pair of stockings(not looking like a farmer for a change) when a nice young man asked me if i was an attorney. I suddenly felt prepared to deal with the situation.

I couldn't wait and took the decree to motor vehicles. They didn't see that it had to be published and i got my new license. I was already walking on air and that just got me a bit higher. Enjoy it opens the world.

Hugs,

Charlize

[KathrynJulia]

Don't forget the doctors letter and name change for changing your name and gender change. Same letter or similar for a new passport with your new name and gender change to Female. Congrats on your day Sidney

Kathy

[Guest Lizzie McTrucker]

but why why why the use the largest and scariest courtrooms I don't know

To really get the court room experience, of course. Also it's a big day for her! A big day deserves a big court room, not one the size of a janitor's closet.

Congrats, Sydney!

Kind of interesting you have to publish it twice. Down in FL, once the judge rules it and signs the paperwork, it is a done deal.

and think, in 30 days you get to run around changing your name everywhere and get asked the same question over and over again "oh, did you get married?"

(maybe that was just unique to what happened to me but I keep repeating this in case someone has the same experience!)

[Guest Sarah Faith]

I had to publish it 3 times in the paper in Colorado.

[Guest sydney]

Don't forget the doctors letter and name change for changing your name and gender change. Same letter or similar for a new passport with your new name and gender change to Female. Congrats on your day Sidney

Kathy

I already have the gender letters with with my new name and my DMV form signed by my doctor. First thing I'm going to do it head to the DMV on June 23rd

[Ravin]

They use the largest courts because it's a civil matter and civil trials tend to need the biggest courtrooms.

Sounds like a great experience. I hope mine goes as smoothly!

[Cyndee]

Congrats Sydney it's a wonderful feeling, one you'll never forget.

Cyndi -

[Carolyn Marie]

Congratulations, Sydney! :score:

I've always said that the name change is one of the most important steps in the social transition process, if not THE most important. Like the others have said, its a day you'll always remember.

It is a lot less formal here in So. Cal. I never even saw the judge; just got the signed Decree from the Court Clerk and took it to another window, paid a fee and got my copies. Very anticlimactic. I even got dressed up. I would have preferred your experience, hon.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Megan_Lynn]

Congrats on your name change getting done. Am very happy for ya.