Name Change Question
Jun. 18th, 2010 10:24 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
tomboysoprano.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
transI live in New York and I'm gathering up the paperwork to submit a petition for a legal name change. If there's anyone here who knows about the process in New York, I have a couple of questions:
First question: I was not born in New York. I've moved a couple of times in recent years and I'm not the most organized person, so I've managed to misplace my birth certificate. I know I should have a copy anyway and I plan to eventually call whoever I need to call to get another one, but in the meantime, I was hoping to do this with less hassle because I want to get it done by the time my next school year starts.
On the instructions form that goes along with the petition I have to fill out, it says this about proof of birth: "If the individual was born in the State of New York, a certified copy of the birth certificate, with the raised seal of the local governmental agency, is required. If the individual was born outside the State of New York, the Judge may permit a copy of the birth certificate, baptismal certificate, a passport or other legal document(s) indicating the date and place of birth as proof of birth. (emphasis mine)"
What does this mean? Why is there not a simple yes or no as to whether a passport is allowed? Does it depend on what mood the judge is in? Is there a way for me to find out beforehand whether my passport will be permissible as proof of birth, or do I just have to submit it and wait for the response?
Second question: On the form I have to give my reason for wanting a name change. Is it a bad idea to say that I'm transgender on the form? I know it seems like it would be obvious from the change I want to make, but I'm pre-everything, and I'm not trying to change my gender marker yet, and I'm changing my name to one that, while more common for boys, is technically unisex. I guess I'm just wondering whether I'm likely to run into some transphobic judge who will veto the petition if I give my real reason for wanting a name change. I live in Brooklyn, so I would hope not, but it does worry me a bit. I don't even know what else I would write, though.
So, if there's anyone here who has been through this - is there a correct way for me to approach this? Or is it not as big a deal as I'm making it?
ETA: Also, does anyone know how long the process generally takes once I submit the petition?
First question: I was not born in New York. I've moved a couple of times in recent years and I'm not the most organized person, so I've managed to misplace my birth certificate. I know I should have a copy anyway and I plan to eventually call whoever I need to call to get another one, but in the meantime, I was hoping to do this with less hassle because I want to get it done by the time my next school year starts.
On the instructions form that goes along with the petition I have to fill out, it says this about proof of birth: "If the individual was born in the State of New York, a certified copy of the birth certificate, with the raised seal of the local governmental agency, is required. If the individual was born outside the State of New York, the Judge may permit a copy of the birth certificate, baptismal certificate, a passport or other legal document(s) indicating the date and place of birth as proof of birth. (emphasis mine)"
What does this mean? Why is there not a simple yes or no as to whether a passport is allowed? Does it depend on what mood the judge is in? Is there a way for me to find out beforehand whether my passport will be permissible as proof of birth, or do I just have to submit it and wait for the response?
Second question: On the form I have to give my reason for wanting a name change. Is it a bad idea to say that I'm transgender on the form? I know it seems like it would be obvious from the change I want to make, but I'm pre-everything, and I'm not trying to change my gender marker yet, and I'm changing my name to one that, while more common for boys, is technically unisex. I guess I'm just wondering whether I'm likely to run into some transphobic judge who will veto the petition if I give my real reason for wanting a name change. I live in Brooklyn, so I would hope not, but it does worry me a bit. I don't even know what else I would write, though.
So, if there's anyone here who has been through this - is there a correct way for me to approach this? Or is it not as big a deal as I'm making it?
ETA: Also, does anyone know how long the process generally takes once I submit the petition?