Synchronize name change

[Dana Michelle]

I am wondering the right time to legally change my name. I plan to buy my first home in a few months and I think it would be better to buy the property in my new name, rather than change the deed later and possibly have my dead name on record for my property.

 

I am also planning to have FFS in several months. When I get a court order for a name change then change my name with social security, I'll probably need to update my name with the bank. I'd also want the mortgage to be in my female name as well. If I change my name with social security and the bank, I'll probably need a new ID with my new name. The problem is I still present as male, I don't pass and still have facial hair. I need to keep my facial hair grown long enough to make it convenient for the electrologist.

 

I want to buy a home in the winter when prices are the lowest, but I won't be able to have FFS until the spring. I have Kaiser insurance in Northern California which has a long waiting list for FFS. Kaiser is organized by regions so I would need to stay in Northern California to stay on the waiting list, but I can't afford the housing in Northern California (I live with my parents).

 

Since I want to buy a home before FFS but after my name change, I will have to change my name while I am still presenting as male. This means I will have to get a new ID with my female name and male picture, then once I have FFS (and move out of state) get another ID with my female picture and female name. Dana is a unisex name so I guess it would be OK for my ID to say Dana with my male picture, but my middle name (Michelle) is not unisex. Is it required for people who have middle names to put their middle names on their ID?

 

Also, it might be too inconvenient to change my name in other places while I still present as male. For example, my transit card has both my male name and picture, so that's another thing I would potentially have to get updated twice: once with my female name and male picture, and then again with my female face and female picture.

 

Could I still legally use my old name for a while after I legally changed my name?

 

[Dakota16]

That might be a gray area. The companies you normally deal with would still have your old name until you communicate with them that you want to change it. I'm not sure how many would like it if you waited, but the different companies I've talked to about it have used the word "whenever" so you probably could get your name changed then wait a few months to change it everywhere else.

 

My wife and I are closing on a home next week, and it'll have my old name on it since I haven't had an opportunity to change my name yet. I'll be that lucky girl who gets to deal with changing her name on all the loan stuff...whenever that happens.

[Jani]

First off, Michelle can be either.  I found this.  

"Michele (pronounced [miˈkɛːle]), is an Italian male given name, akin to the English male name Michael. Michele, pronounced /mɪˈʃɛl/ mi-SHEL, is an English female given name that comes from the French Michèle. It is a variant spelling of the more common (and identically pronounced) name Michelle."

 

As you note Dana is uni-sex so no issue for you there until you change your presentation.

 

TL:DR Change your name and don't worry.  Both can be either gender.  Your reason, you prefer them to old name. 

 

Cheers, Jani 

[Dana Michelle]

I took my name change paperwork to the courthouse and have some advice for others who plan to do this:

1. Take three copies with you. When the instructions said I would need to have the clerk of the court give me a certified copy, I thought it meant they would make a copy. I didn't realize that they would need me to bring three copies so they can certify one to give back to me.

2. If you need to use a copy machine, after you print one copy, look at it to make sure it came out right. I didn't look at my copies until after I had already printed them and the page orientation was reversed. This meant that part of the forms got cut off and the pages need to look identical for the clerk to accept them.

3. Bring enough cash, change, a credit card and check book. I brought $3 in cash and no change, and used all my cash making copies before I realized that they came out wrong. Luckily the clerk was able to make copies. This cost me 50 cents a copy instead of 25 cents, but I wrote a check for 50 cents per copy so I would not have to go through a hassle of another visit. The copies totaled only $5 anyway. The copy machine took dollar bills but I suggest bringing quarters as well in case the copy machine at the courthouse any of you plan to go only takes quarters. The courthouse would not take a credit card for making copies, but would take checks, which is why I recommend taking cash, a credit card, and check book (unless you already know what payment methods are accepted at your courthouse).

4. Bring envelopes. I needed to give them an addressed envelope so they can mail me the forms once my name change is approved. Luckily they sold envelopes for 60 cents. I didn't need to give them postage (unless the postage was covered by the 60 cents). I suggest bringing postage stamps just in case.

5. Make sure you are in the right line. One window had a line and the other did not. I thought the window without a line was just for asking questions since nobody was waiting for that window. Instead the two windows were for different issues. I had been in line for at least 30 minutes until I got to the window and was told I was supposed to use the other window.

I'm glad I was able to get this finished without having to make another visit. I could have saved $8.60 and done this in 10 minutes instead of 60, but at least I got it done.

 

[Jani]

Sorry to hear of the confusion, but it's submitted!   Yes it is always a good idea to carry cash and a checkbook when visiting a government office on business.  Hopefully it will come through soon. 

 

Jani

[Charlize]

I thought i had everything done with my name change.  I had gotten a new passport and a new drivers license but when i did my birth certificate years later (this year) i found i still had to pay a little for a certificate with a gold seal.  Bureaucrats can make life difficult to say the least.

Glad you've gotten your paperwork in as difficult as it might have been.  

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize