It's going to be official!

[Guest JaniceW]

I just opened my mail and found the document for my court date for my legal name change. March 19, 2012 Janis becomes legal, watch out!

[Guest Mia J]

Way to go Janice!!!!

How wonderful for you to be taking that step.

Mia

[Guest ~Brenda~]

Nice!!!

Congratulations hon!!

((HUUGGGS))

Brenda

[JenniferB]

Congratulations Janice. i changed my legal name last fall. And I can tell you it is a wonderful feeling.

Jenny

[Guest Donna Jean]

.

Congratz, Hon........

It was one of the most affirming things I've done so far.....

(of course, then comes the license, S/S card, credit cards, library, CCW, Sugar Bear Ecology Club card, etc.....)

Dee Jay

[MackenzieB]

Good for you! Now don't forget your driver's license, social security, your employer, health care providers, the local bakery, Pizza Hut and the person who drives that truck with the cute music who has all of that ice cream! Just kidding... Congrats!

[Guest Lacey Lynne]

Janice, that totally rocks! Congrats, girl! So happy for you!

Peace & Joy Lacey Lynne

[KathrynJulia]

janice

That is awesome news. You've made it girl.

Kathryn

[~Nova~]

Congrats.

I can tell you it's gonna suck being 2 people for a while until things change over. I changed my name in November and just about everyday I find another thing I have to change.

HINT: First stop after the name change is the SS dept. You cannot do anything without the SS card saying your name.

[Cyndee]

Excellent Janice !

Congrats

C -

[Guest JaniceW]

I am a very lucky woman. I got set up with an execellent therapist and she has helped me to make sure I have all things organized and listed out. Each notification that needs to be made and the correct order in which to make them (I would list it here but it varies state by state and country by country).

I don't want anyone to think for a moment that any of what is happening for me is totally by accident. Every detail of my transition has been thoroughly hashed out with my therapist and well planned before I have done anything. I have refused to allow my actions to be driven by my desire and have worked very hard to try to keep my head in control. If I had followed my heart totally for the last couple of years I would most likely be without any friends or family around me. I likely would have lost my job and been thrown out of my house. I can't say my life is the best I would want, but it is not the worst it could be either.

Planning, planning, planning is what works best. Having a professional who knows the ropes on board is certainly a major asset and can make everything a whole lot easier to navigate.

[Guest ZoeG360]

Good for you. Congratulations, its a major milestone.

Planning is crucial and its the kind of knowledge that can be passed along to folks that don't have the kind of support you have.

Share the knowledge and help us all out.

Zoe

[Guest Lizzie McTrucker]

Congratulations!

Also, in the process of changing your name all over place, if the person you're dealing with is a woman, be prepared to have people think or ask if you got married and are taking your husband's last name. It's a fun affirmation.

[Guest JaniceW]

Without much exact detail because the details are really very different and the disclaimer that everything I have assumes the USA as your country here's the basic plan. My original plan was to do my legal name change in a year from now however I was invited to speak at a conference in Europe in November and that would require international travel and a passport that didn't make getting through TSA any more of a pain than it already is. So plans were adjusted.

Step 1: State of Connecticut so apply to Probate Court for a Name Change and send them the fee.

Hearing at court and get the decree.

Step 2: Notify Social Security for name change on Social Security card

Step 3: State Motor Vehicle to change license with new photo, name, and gender marker (CT only requires a letter from my therapist)

Step 4: Apply for new passport with new photo, name, and gender

Step 5: Notify employer HR department once Soc Sec card is issued

Step 6: Notify other agencies and creditors as needed

Step 7: Live the rest of my life

[~Nova~]

Without much exact detail because the details are really very different and the disclaimer that everything I have assumes the USA as your country here's the basic plan. My original plan was to do my legal name change in a year from now however I was invited to speak at a conference in Europe in November and that would require international travel and a passport that didn't make getting through TSA any more of a pain than it already is. So plans were adjusted.

Step 1: State of Connecticut so apply to Probate Court for a Name Change and send them the fee.

Hearing at court and get the decree.

Step 2: Notify Social Security for name change on Social Security card

Step 3: State Motor Vehicle to change license with new photo, name, and gender marker (CT only requires a letter from my therapist)

Step 4: Apply for new passport with new photo, name, and gender

Step 5: Notify employer HR department once Soc Sec card is issued

Step 6: Notify other agencies and creditors as needed

Step 7: Live the rest of my life

I love number 7

[JJ]

Congratz on that invitation Janice! To be honest I am not surprised-You are an absolutely awesome lady.

I love your attitude and #7 is a perfect example of the attitude that made that great big smile of yours so genuine.

Love ya

Johnny