Date: 2009-09-25 16:13 Security: Public Mood: pleased Tags: gender identity: changing name, my name, transgender issues Subject: Changing name in the UK

Here in the UK, the law states that a person's legal name is whatever they call themselves. As long as the purpose is not to defraud, and as long as they're actually using the name and not any other, it's legal. That means that for some time now I've been able to legally call myself Sophie.

However, in practice it obviously doesn't work quite like that, because, well, the opportunity for fraud is rife if you just let anybody call themselves what they want, which means it's difficult to get companies to recognise that you've actually changed your name. So there are recognised procedures in the UK of getting evidence that you've changed your name - one is by deed poll, which is the one most people think of at first, and the other is by statutory declaration.

Now, you'd never know it from the UK Deed Poll Service's FAQ page (see question 32), but a statutory declaration actually has more legal force than a deed poll does - legally, a company cannot refuse a statutory declaration. It's also cheaper, despite what the site says about it, partially because you don't have to have a solicitor draw it up; you can take in a printout and get it done easily and quickly, and a number of certified copies produced.

And the reason I know this is because today I went and did just that. Using a template given to me by a trans friend who's been through this herself, I printed it out, took it in, got it officially signed and 15 certified copies produced, all for £20.

The upshot of this is that I am now, truly and officially, Sophie Kira Hamilton.

On Monday I have an appointment with my GP. While there I'm going to show them this evidence of change of name, and ask for a supporting letter to say that I'm seeking treatment for my gender dysphoria. With that letter, I will be able to get a new passport and driving licence in my correct name and gender. Yes; contrary to popular belief (or contrary to my belief, at least), you don't need a Gender Recognition Certificate to change the gender marker on your passport! Legal proof of change of name, plus a doctor's letter stating the change is intended to be permanent, is enough. I already have the first; with any luck I'll have the second on Monday.

This is a big step. It still hasn't quite dawned on me that my name can now be legally proven to have been changed. But I have the evidence right here - at least, in a safe file that I keep for important documents like this.

Wow.