LEGALLY CHANGING YOUR NAME & GENDER
Anyone, transgender or otherwise is entitled to change their name at any time. You can opt to change your forename and/or surname, add names, or rearrange existing names. There is no set legal procedure to change your name, but a statutory declaration is what is most commonly used to demonstrate a change of name. Otherwise, you can simply start using the new name.
Usually, transgender individuals change their name permanently once they have reached the stage in their transition where they are living full-time as the gender which matches their gender identity, and often this is prior to beginning hormone treatment or having surgery.
However, some other transgender individuals who do not intend to transition might also choose to permanently change their name, often to a gender neutral name. Or, they may simply use a different name just among friends – in a similar way as many non-trangender people do. It is entirely legal for any transgender individual to use two different names and to have some documents in each name, so long as they are not doing so for any fraudulent purpose.
There are some circumstances, such as when applying for a passport or switching a bank account into a new name, where written evidence of the change will probably be required. This evidence could take the form of a letter from a professional person (e.g their GP), a statutory declaration or a deed poll. The most commonly used document to show a change of name is a statutory declaration as it is the easiest and the cheapest to obtain. A practising solicitor, public notary, or other officer of a court authorised by law to administer an oath, needs to witness them signing it. They should also ask the solicitor or public notary to make several certified photocopies for them. (Source of information: The Scottish Transgender Alliance).
More information is available on the Equality and Human Rights Commission website.
For additional information you can also download this document by Press for Change.
Name Changes on Personal Documents – PFC – Whittle.pdf
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SAMPLE – Doctor’s letter Headed paper with address of GP, Doctor, GIC or consultant. Medical Reference No. xxxxxxxxxxxxx Date xx/xx/xxxx This is to confirm that my patient [Mr./Miss./Mrs./Ms.] [Full name] has been diagnosed as having gender dysphoria and is currently undergoing gender reassignment to the male/female role. This change is to be permanent. Your assistance in making the relevant changes to your records and in preserving full confidentiality would be appreciated. Doctor, GP or Consultants signature ———————————————————————————————————————————————— |
SAMPLE- Statutory declaration for change of name
Note: The format varies, depending on whether you are changing your first names, your surname or both. This sample is for someone who is only changing their first names.
I (Insert Name) of (insert Address)
DO SOLEMNLY AND SINCERELY DECLARE as follows:-
I absolutely and entirely renounce relinquish and abandon the use of my former christian name of (insert name) and assume adopt and determine to take and use the christian names of (insert name / names) in substitution for my former christian name of (insert Name).
I shall at all times hereafter in all records deeds documents and other writings and in all actions proceedings as well as in all dealings and transactions on all occasions whatsoever use and subscribe the said names of as my names in substitution for my former names of (insert surname) so relinquished as aforesaid to the intent that I may hereafter be called known or distinguished not by my former names of (insert former full name) but by my names of (insert new name) only.
I authorise and require all persons at all times to designate describe and address me by the adopted names of (insert new name)
AND I make this solemn Declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true and by virtue of the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835.
SIGNED AND DECLARED at
in the County of
this day, the of 201_
Before me
Solicitor/Commissioner for Oaths
Signed: __________________________
[insert full new name]
(Former signature of former name [insert full old name]: ____________________)
Signature of person administering oath: ____________________
Name of person administering oath: _______________________
Address of person administering oath:___________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Source for templates; The White Book: A Really Indispensable Manual For Inhabiting A Trans Man’s Being by Dr Stephen Whittle
LEGALLY CHANGING YOUR NAME & GENDER
Anyone, transgender or otherwise is entitled to change their name at any time. You can opt to change your forename and/or surname, add names, or rearrange existing names. There is no set legal procedure to change your name, but a statutory declaration is what is most commonly used to demonstrate a change of name. Otherwise, you can simply start using the new name.
Usually, transgender individuals change their name permanently once they have reached the stage in their transition where they are living full-time as the gender which matches their gender identity, and often this is prior to beginning hormone treatment or having surgery.
However, some other transgender individuals who do not intend to transition might also choose to permanently change their name, often to a gender neutral name. Or, they may simply use a different name just among friends – in a similar way as many non-trangender people do. It is entirely legal for any transgender individual to use two different names and to have some documents in each name, so long as they are not doing so for any fraudulent purpose.
There are some circumstances, such as when applying for a passport or switching a bank account into a new name, where written evidence of the change will probably be required. This evidence could take the form of a letter from a professional person (e.g their GP), a statutory declaration or a deed poll. The most commonly used document to show a change of name is a statutory declaration as it is the easiest and the cheapest to obtain. A practising solicitor, public notary, or other officer of a court authorised by law to administer an oath, needs to witness them signing it. They should also ask the solicitor or public notary to make several certified photocopies for them. (Source of information: The Scottish Transgender Alliance).
More information is available on the Equality and Human Rights Commission website.
For additional information you can also download this document by Press for Change.
Name Changes on Personal Documents – PFC – Whittle.pdf
————————————————————————————————————————————————-
|
SAMPLE – Doctor’s letter Headed paper with address of GP, Doctor, GIC or consultant. Medical Reference No. xxxxxxxxxxxxx Date xx/xx/xxxx This is to confirm that my patient [Mr./Miss./Mrs./Ms.] [Full name] has been diagnosed as having gender dysphoria and is currently undergoing gender reassignment to the male/female role. This change is to be permanent. Your assistance in making the relevant changes to your records and in preserving full confidentiality would be appreciated. Doctor, GP or Consultants signature ———————————————————————————————————————————————— |
SAMPLE- Statutory declaration for change of name
Note: The format varies, depending on whether you are changing your first names, your surname or both. This sample is for someone who is only changing their first names.
I (Insert Name) of (insert Address)
DO SOLEMNLY AND SINCERELY DECLARE as follows:-
I absolutely and entirely renounce relinquish and abandon the use of my former christian name of (insert name) and assume adopt and determine to take and use the christian names of (insert name / names) in substitution for my former christian name of (insert Name).
I shall at all times hereafter in all records deeds documents and other writings and in all actions proceedings as well as in all dealings and transactions on all occasions whatsoever use and subscribe the said names of as my names in substitution for my former names of (insert surname) so relinquished as aforesaid to the intent that I may hereafter be called known or distinguished not by my former names of (insert former full name) but by my names of (insert new name) only.
I authorise and require all persons at all times to designate describe and address me by the adopted names of (insert new name)
AND I make this solemn Declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true and by virtue of the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835.
SIGNED AND DECLARED at
in the County of
this day, the of 201_
Before me
Solicitor/Commissioner for Oaths
Signed: __________________________
[insert full new name]
(Former signature of former name [insert full old name]: ____________________)
Signature of person administering oath: ____________________
Name of person administering oath: _______________________
Address of person administering oath:___________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Source for templates; The White Book: A Really Indispensable Manual For Inhabiting A Trans Man’s Being by Dr Stephen Whittle
LEGALLY CHANGING YOUR NAME & GENDER
Anyone, transgender or otherwise is entitled to change their name at any time. You can opt to change your forename and/or surname, add names, or rearrange existing names. There is no set legal procedure to change your name, but a statutory declaration is what is most commonly used to demonstrate a change of name. Otherwise, you can simply start using the new name.
Usually, transgender individuals change their name permanently once they have reached the stage in their transition where they are living full-time as the gender which matches their gender identity, and often this is prior to beginning hormone treatment or having surgery.
However, some other transgender individuals who do not intend to transition might also choose to permanently change their name, often to a gender neutral name. Or, they may simply use a different name just among friends – in a similar way as many non-trangender people do. It is entirely legal for any transgender individual to use two different names and to have some documents in each name, so long as they are not doing so for any fraudulent purpose.
There are some circumstances, such as when applying for a passport or switching a bank account into a new name, where written evidence of the change will probably be required. This evidence could take the form of a letter from a professional person (e.g their GP), a statutory declaration or a deed poll. The most commonly used document to show a change of name is a statutory declaration as it is the easiest and the cheapest to obtain. A practising solicitor, public notary, or other officer of a court authorised by law to administer an oath, needs to witness them signing it. They should also ask the solicitor or public notary to make several certified photocopies for them. (Source of information: The Scottish Transgender Alliance).
More information is available on the Equality and Human Rights Commission website.
For additional information you can also download this document by Press for Change.
Name Changes on Personal Documents – PFC – Whittle.pdf
————————————————————————————————————————————————-
|
SAMPLE – Doctor’s letter Headed paper with address of GP, Doctor, GIC or consultant. Medical Reference No. xxxxxxxxxxxxx Date xx/xx/xxxx This is to confirm that my patient [Mr./Miss./Mrs./Ms.] [Full name] has been diagnosed as having gender dysphoria and is currently undergoing gender reassignment to the male/female role. This change is to be permanent. Your assistance in making the relevant changes to your records and in preserving full confidentiality would be appreciated. Doctor, GP or Consultants signature ———————————————————————————————————————————————— |
SAMPLE- Statutory declaration for change of name
Note: The format varies, depending on whether you are changing your first names, your surname or both. This sample is for someone who is only changing their first names.
I (Insert Name) of (insert Address)
DO SOLEMNLY AND SINCERELY DECLARE as follows:-
I absolutely and entirely renounce relinquish and abandon the use of my former christian name of (insert name) and assume adopt and determine to take and use the christian names of (insert name / names) in substitution for my former christian name of (insert Name).
I shall at all times hereafter in all records deeds documents and other writings and in all actions proceedings as well as in all dealings and transactions on all occasions whatsoever use and subscribe the said names of as my names in substitution for my former names of (insert surname) so relinquished as aforesaid to the intent that I may hereafter be called known or distinguished not by my former names of (insert former full name) but by my names of (insert new name) only.
I authorise and require all persons at all times to designate describe and address me by the adopted names of (insert new name)
AND I make this solemn Declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true and by virtue of the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835.
SIGNED AND DECLARED at
in the County of
this day, the of 201_
Before me
Solicitor/Commissioner for Oaths
Signed: __________________________
[insert full new name]
(Former signature of former name [insert full old name]: ____________________)
Signature of person administering oath: ____________________
Name of person administering oath: _______________________
Address of person administering oath:___________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Source for templates; The White Book: A Really Indispensable Manual For Inhabiting A Trans Man’s Being by Dr Stephen Whittle
