I don’t know exactly what category in which to place this topic, but I have a question I’d like to bounce off of you all. Is there anyone here who has ever thought about, or is thinking about legally changing their name, or has actually done it? Please spill (only if you want to)
I did this— changed both my first and middle name, both socially and legally. [name_u]Happy[/name_u] to answer any questions you may have! I’m on [name_u]West[/name_u] Coast USA if that makes a difference.
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Oh that would be great, [name_m]Jack[/name_m] I just changed my name socially, but I’m planning to change it legally in the near future, & I need to know exactly how to go about doing it. I live in Michigan, though. I’m not sure if the process varies from state to state.
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Are you changing your name because you are transgender/non-binary, or some other reason not related to gender identity issues?
The process does vary based on where you live (I asked about whether or not the name change is due to a gender transition because some places have an easier/more confidential procedure for those kinds of name changes).
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I dream about changing my name but I probably won’t ever do it.
I do have two friends who’ve changed their names and they said it was a fairly easy process
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I changed the spelling of my name by deed poll when I was in middle school it all went fairly smoothly and at this point I can barely remember my name being different.
My sibling chose a new name after coming out as non-binary, but hasn’t changed their name yet because our parents were worried about it confusing paperwork for them in applying for grad school, so they plan to legally change it after graduating. There was a bit more trouble for them just because transphobia from different family members and people at school, but a few years on it’s fully accepted as their name by everyone around them.
East coaster here.
Yes, it is not difficult. Just a few documents and appointments, and it’s done. Expect to pay some administrative fees. And to have to follow through with Social Security Administation etc. No reason/justification for the change is necessary. However, some reasons (like marriage, etc) have expedited processes.
Process will vary logistics wise for the county seat of government (where you submit initial paperwork), esp now with covid. 3k deaths nationwide yesterday. So they may be pumping the breaks on non essential functions.
My suggestion is to look through the official website for the county that you live in and find the page about services. If that doesnt work, search google for “name change [name of your county]”, and pick the link that is an official county or state website. That should navigate you to some directions.
Good luck!
I have considered changing my name in the past, but decided against it. In the UK, you can change your name by deed poll and to my knowledge, it costs almost nothing.
No, I am neither transgender or non-binary. I want to change my name because my given name, although I’m have been told several times that it is a pretty name, reminds me too much of my past. I had planned on changing it by my 50th birthday this year ([name_u]October[/name_u] 31st) because it seemed like an “auspicious” time to put my past behind me & make a fresh start. I put off telling my dad & stepmother about my decision, because they would just write it off as being a very difficult process & a silly notion that just wasn’t worth the time, money, or energy, & wouldn’t you know it, that’s exactly what they did when I finally told them about it 
I decided that I would just take their advice & put the idea to bed, but I was seething with anger on the inside all the while & I’m still seething right now (as a matter of fact, I plan to do a lot of raving & venting about the matter in the “Everything but Names” forum).
I wasn’t asking for my dad & stepmother’s permission, I know that it’s my choice to legally change my name, as I am an adult, but I would’ve liked to have their support with an issue that’s very important to me, whether the process is difficult or not.
That’s good to know, Greyblue, thank you
Thank you [name_f]Genevieve[/name_f] (that’s a lovely name). [name_m]Can[/name_m] you tell me what deed poll is? I’m not familiar with that term.
My dad said that following through with the SSA is the most difficult part, especially since I am receiving disability benefits, so, in the meantime, I just decided to go with my “Plan B” & use my birth name with my family & for important stuff like filling out paperwork, & my “other” name I’m meeting new people or just hanging out, which is not very often. At the same time, I’m still deciding whether to make it official or not, enough though I put the aspiration on the back burner.
So did you come up with a new name, & if you did, do you use it among friends?
Deed Poll is the process of changing your name unrelated to marriage or divorce (though some places include changing your name for divorce reasons in deed poll name change). This is assuming you’re American since you were talking about SSA
Essentially you file paperwork with the local court and they make sure your not doing it for any illegal reasons (to avoid paying your taxes or because there’s a warrant out for you or any other kind of changing your name to avoid being found kind of reasons).
You then appear in court (essentially the same set up as traffic court, if you’ve ever been), the judge asks you to swear that your not doing this for any nefarious purposes, there might be some personal questions. Then they give you a piece of paper saying something like “annabelle smith was born gertrude smith on birthday and changed her name by deed poll to annabelle smith on date. Signed, judge”
You then send that paperwork in to your state capital to get an updated birth certificate and to the SSA to get an updated SSN and to the federal government to get a new passport, then there’s calling banks and institutions to change your name on records.
All in all it takes about a year if everything goes smoothly and there is a fee associated with the filing of paperwork and if your under 18 you need to have your parents permission, but I have found it very worth it.
I understand now, thank you for explaining everything. Here in Michigan, there are 2 courts, 1 in downtown Pontiac, & 1 in [name_m]Oakland[/name_m] County, so I’ll start doing some research online & go from there.
Thanks, Geneveive😄
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