Hello everyone!
I'm not new on TH and I'm not sure if I ever asked a question. You see, I'm due in November to renew my driver's license. I had to have my doctor state on paper my gender is female so when I go to the DMV they'll have proof to change my license from M to F. Oh, and yes, I do have the appropriate state agency letter showing I can now do this. I had given thought to changing my name, too, but I felt that would be such a hassle. I'm thinking there must be tons of documents which will all need to be changed, banking, government such as social security and baptism papers, and I'm sure many others. Has anyone gone through the entire name change thing and do you have any advice and outline you followed?
@middleground Well, you have absolutely come to the right place for that kind of info. The Advocates for Trans Equality has a fantastic repository for all of that for each state in the US. Sadly, I wish I had this same kind of resource for other countries; but I still hold out hope for the future. But, for the state of Ohio, here is a link to the information that will be a great place for you to start: https://transequality.org/documents/ohio-identity-documents . Please keep us posted on how you make out. Hugs
@middleground I would also suggest talking to any nearby LGBT Centers in your area. They may have some insight if there are any peculiarities in your area such as difficulties with dealing with someone in authority, etc. Procedures are spelled out but sometimes people take it upon themselves to be the barnacle on the ass of progress, such as someone like Kim Davis in Kentucky.
@flatlander48 The closest places to me are more than an hour away. I had no problems at all at the courthouse in my town obtaing the info needed to change my gender on my driver's license. In fact, those I dealt with were sweet to me. And this is in a supposedly very conservative town. I know the process will be more involved when I get to the name change though. I'll see what happens then.
Thanks for your comment though🙂.
Thank you, Michelle. I don't want to bite off more than I can chew right now. That's why I'm starting with the gender change designation on my driver's license first. At least I'll have my gender matching my picture even though my name will remain as it has for awhile more. 
Michelle,
I forgot to thank you for the link. I'll save it for when, if ever, I change my name. I want to. I'm just afraid of what a mess it could make of everything financial.
@middleground Well, I don't know what your situation is, but what I did, was to make a list of all the various things were that need to be changed, and then started finding out what each process was. Then I went and figured out in which order they would need to be taken care of. Then just methodically marched down that list. Some things require a letter, others don't. Some can even be done online. Some required the supporting paperwork, some didn't. Seemed the utility companies were the easiest. I think I may have the generic list I came up with, somewhere. It was just a list of things, without specific companies or processes. Let me know if you are interested and I'll dig it up and you can have it. Hugs
@michellelarsen1 Oh gosh! Whatever will make the process easier. Sure, please send it if you can find it. Thank you🙂❤.
@middleground Well, I found it. Here you go. There may be things specific to your situation, but there is at least a framework to go by. Hugs
Thank you
