Legalized name change order?

[ShawnaLeigh]

So I have started looking into this. I’m a ways off but like everything else I need to know earlier then later.  
What is an efficient way to go about this process?

I’m meaning what is the First thing you should get changed? Second. Third. Etc.  
Thanks❤️

[NB Adult]

55 minutes ago, ShawnaLeigh said:

So I have started looking into this. I’m a ways off but like everything else I need to know earlier then later.  
What is an efficient way to go about this process?

I’m meaning what is the First thing you should get changed? Second. Third. Etc.  
Thanks❤️

 

I'd suggest taking your proposed name change to the county court clerk and pay the small fee and the court will make it official. Then make copies of your new document and contact Social Security, the bank because you'll need a new debit card and checks, Driver's licensing agency, VA if you are plugged into the VA healthcare system, and then contact any other official source of income that should rightly know. Personally I wouldn't rush into it until you are full-time and out with everyone and are absolutely sure what permanent new name you are sure you want.

[ShawnaLeigh]

43 minutes ago, NB Adult said:

Personally I wouldn't rush into it until you are full-time and out with everyone and are absolutely sure what permanent new name you are sure you want.

Agreed.  I’m not trying to change anything now.  Just trying to plan it out n get it out of my mind for now.  So many useless things swimming around in there.  Lol

[Jackie C.]

I was going to point you at TLDEF, but they don't cover Vermont right now. That's unfortunate because they have lawyers who will work with you pro-bono to get your name changed.

 

My next bit of clever advice is to ask your gender therapist. It's very likely that he has a packet of information about how to go about this in your state.

 

This is how it works in Michigan. Bits of my personal experience will be inserted in italics. 

 

The first part was pretty easy: You go to the courthouse, fill out some paperwork and then pay a fee. There's a good chance that the paperwork is available online so you can just print it out and have it with you. I personally took care of this when I realized that I'd been out for about a year and had my bottom surgery scheduled. It kind of lit a fire under my behind. The attorney from TLDEF called me THE NEXT DAY to get the process started. Then you get a court date mailed to you. The court date by federal law has to be within three months. It may take as long as a month to get the paperwork to you.

I got the paperwork in about three weeks. The court date was scheduled for four. I called my attorney when this happened and freaked out a little. Welcome news, but wow that was fast. He agreed to meet me there and guide me through the next part. The day of my court date comes up and I will NOT be late. I give myself extra time to get to the city. My county seat is in downtown Detroit... that's a point you should be aware of: Civil court. County seat. I hate driving in Detroit, but I'd rather lose an arm than screw this up in ANY way so I'm there early and with bells on. I wait for my attorney, but I don't see him. The clerk's office opens and I CANNOT wait because of the small time window between the office opening and when my court appointment starts. I figure my attorney knows where I'm going, he'll catch up.

I manage to muddle through the process. I pay my fees. I get my paperwork. I go sit in front of the courtroom with the other people waiting to see the judge. They open the doors to let us in. Still no attorney. Keep in mind I can't call him because no recording devices are allowed in the courtroom. My cell is in the car. Again, I can't wait so I take my paperwork and file in with everybody else. It turns out that I'm third in line. There's a divorce case ahead of me, another name change then me. Still no attorney. Name change goes smoothly. You will be asked if your changing your name to escape debt or for criminal purposes. I said no. The judge stamps my paperwork and gives me over to the bailiff. The paperwork is filed. I'm escorted out of the courtroom by the bailiff. I congratulate him on his dad voice (he disciplined the guy working on his divorce and their attorney. He wasn't even mad at me and I about broke down in tears. Scary, scary voice.) He tells me where to go next. I'm down in the basement paying for copies of the court order next. I buy four. It turns out I didn't need four, but I might frame one. My appointment was at 9:30. I was in the Secretary of State's office before lunch.

 

After I got my paperwork, I hit the Social Security Office to get my driver's license updated. In Michigan you need THAT before you can get your Social Security information changed. That was step two. It slowed things down a little because here you need your new Driver's Licence before you can change anything else related to finances. The temporary license isn't enough.

 

Next I changed all my social media accounts. When the license came, I started on anything financially related. Bank accounts, Social Security, Credit Cards, etc... I still have a couple of little things to take care of, but they're for businesses that basically don't care WHAT I call myself, just so long as they get paid.

 

I need to get started on my passport next because here I need that if I'm going to change my gender marker on my driver's license. For Social Security and my birth certificate though, I need to finish my bottom surgery and have a doctor sign off that they did it before I can alter those records.

 

It's a bit of a hassle, to be honest but it's happy work.

 

Hugs!

[ShawnaLeigh]

In VT you can change your gender to “Trans” on the driver’s license for $15.  The court name change is $150.  Holy crap.  I did down load it to be ready. I just wasn’t expecting it to be a fee that high.  
I know to do SS card you need your name legally changed so I’m just going to wait a bit.  I could do my license Now but figured the same.  No need to get it done until the name is changed.  

[NB Adult]

45 minutes ago, ShawnaLeigh said:

In VT you can change your gender to “Trans” on the driver’s license for $15.  The court name change is $150.  Holy crap.  I did down load it to be ready. I just wasn’t expecting it to be a fee that high.  
I know to do SS card you need your name legally changed so I’m just going to wait a bit.  I could do my license Now but figured the same.  No need to get it done until the name is changed.  

 

Good plan!