Ashley recently discussed the implications of name changes on the job. She brought up some of the most crucial issues for transfolks who haven’t (or don’t want to) legally changed their name.

I really wanted to explore this further, particularly after one of my favorite personal finance blogs (Don’t Mess with Taxes) recommended this post for women who change their name after getting married.   There was a nice, pink checklist for newly-married women who change their name’”but I’ve never seen something similar for trans folks who change their name!

I wanted to take it a step farther and describe the entire name change process. I myself haven’t changed my name, but one of my friends has and I asked him to walk me through the process.

First, the actual name changing process cost him about $125 in the state of Georgia. He then got three copies of the name change order at $3 a piece (though you do get one for free).

What he first did was change the name on his license. As he moved here from another state, he needed to renew his license and get one in Georgia anyway.   He went to the DMV, showed them his name change form, and they provided him with a new license.

At his bank, he met with a representative and had to provide three forms of ID’”his new license, an official document with his old name, and the name change form.   He also made sure to order some checks with his name on it while he was there.

He found that the hardest place to get his name change was (not surprisingly) the Social Security office. They needed all three pieces of identification that he had needed at the bank, but they were much less polite about it.   Make sure to check the SSA website to make sure you have all the proper documentation!   After talking to the clerk, though, his name change was wrapped up in 5 minutes and he got his new Social Security card in the mail two weeks later.

After he got a new Social Security card, he immediately went to the Human Resources office at his job. He had to fill out a new W4 tax form and then they photocopied his new Social Security identification card.

For things like his car title, credit card, and cell phone, he only had to make a phone call and they changed his name.   Both his power bill and his registration at graduate school required him to bring in his name change form.

All in all, after the name changed pass, it was an long process. But most of the people were fairly friendly to him. As he got it all done as soon as he could, it all went very smoothly.

In the spirit of changing your name, I made a checklist for folks to print out to remind them what documents they should remember to change their name. Brides aren’t the only people who need to get all their documents updated!

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A Financial Checklist for Transfolks who Change Their Name

  • Name Change Order: Without this, you cannot change your name on your legal documents. This is a legal process that varies by state, so make sure to check out how to change your name in your state.
  • Driver’s License: Bring your name change order and your old license to the DMV.
  • Social Security Card: The SSA is finicky about the documentation you’ll need. Bring your name change order, proof of citizenship, proof of identity, and something legal with your old name on it.   Check out this link for more information.
  • Your Job’s HR Department: You need to make sure that as soon as you get your new Social Security card to fill out a new W4 and prove your new name to your company’s HR department!
  • Passport: If your passport was issues less than one year ago, you’ll need to mail your old passport, a photocopy of your name change order, and Form DS-5504, available at the following website. If it’s been longer than a year, you’ll have to apply for a new passport all together.
  • Everything Else: Everything that has your old name on it will need to be changed! This includes bills, your credit card, your bank account, your library card, and your student ID.

Photo credit: stock.xchng.