Changing your Documents

INTRODUCTION

You've transitioned, or you are about to transition, which means that you have a number of 'little' hurdles to overcome before achieving a successful transition, and that is to ensure that all the doucments you have come to love and know in your life are relevant to the gender you are now living.

In the UK, wer'e fortunate that it's relatively easy to change most documents providing that you first obtain two documents that you need to help you, usually consisting of the Birth Certficate to and the Change of Name Document

BIRTH CERTIFICATE

Since 2004, the Gender Recognition Act came into force which means that transsexual people can now seek to have a new birth certificate which is relevant to the sex and gender they are attuned to. There is a long process to this, so it is best to follow the guidance available here, or simply go to the Gender Recognition Panel website to make an application to change your birth certificate.

CHANGE OF NAME

In the UK, you are legally allowed to Change your Name and call yourself by any name that you wish providing you don't change your name for Fraudulent reasons. However, without getting a document with your new name, you may find it difficult to change other documents. Not having a change of name document may also mean problems with obtaining a mortgage or certain types of credit in the future.

A Deed Poll is a legal document where an oath is sworn before a judge and both old name and new name are quoted. It is the most expensive of the two documents that can be obtained for a change of name, but if you are low paid or unemployed, legal aid is available for this type of document. This means that you can get this document for free. The Other document is a Statutory Declaration. This is similar to a Deed Poll but cheaper in cost. The oath is sworn before a solicitor rather than a judge.

Once you have legally changed your name, it is illegal to continue to use your former name. Therefore, it is not recommended that you change your name until you are ready to start using it. You must not sign your old name and you must change other documents as quickly as possible.

MEDICAL STATUS

For most of your documents to be changed you will need a letter from your Doctor or Psychiatrist of your Gender Identity status. You can change your name on some documents without this document but a passport would have on the wrong sex without it. That could lead to a situation where a passport would say Miss Jane Smith, and sex as male.

PASSPORT

To change or apply for a new passport is simple enough. You need the letter from your doctor/psychiatrist and your change of name document. You need to send the originals so registered mail might be best. Photocopies are not acceptable. You also need somebody who knows you well and knows of your gender identity status to sign your photograph and your application form. A good person would be your doctor. It has been reported that some passport offices may only issue a one year special passport so it is important to make a request for a ten year one to avoid this happening. At quiet times of the year, you should have a new passport within two weeks. If you have any queries then your passport office will be pleased to assist. They have dealt with many transsexuals before and really are quite used to it. It is worth noting that a passport is the best form of identification for employment after a birth certificate.

DRIVING LICENCE

For all documentation, other than a passport, a photocopy of both Medical and name change documents (refered to as 'the documents' from now on) will do. A driving licence is no exception. Fill in all the relevant details and send it, and the documents to the DVLC, address at the bottom of the form. It should be noted that male and female driving licences have different numerical codes. A female will have a 5 in their code if born between January and September, or a 6 if born between October and December. It is useful to write a covering letter asking that this code be changed. It could be awkward presenting a driving licence to a police oficer or Insurance Company with a code for the opposite sex. As of the year 2000, a Birth Certificate or passport is needed with other documentation.

NHS CARD

A National Health Card is needed to change doctor, or may be asked for any time that treatment is sought from any NHS establishment. Your NHS Number may also be asked for in some areas of employment.

In some cases your family doctor may make the changes for you but sometimes they may not. If your doctor is one of those who won't then you'll have to do it yourself. If you have your current medical card you need to return it along with the documents to your local Family Health Service Authority or Health Authority (address in the phone book). Send a covering letter and you should have a new card within a few weeks. Check your card carefully. It has been known for Health Authorities to return a new card as Mr. Jane Smith for example.

INSURANCE

Insurance Policies are a little more complicated than other documents. Not only do you need to change your name and title on policies but you MUST inform the insurance company that you are transsexual. It is worth asking to see a Manager when you do this. If you don't inform them, some companies may say that your policy is invalid if you need to make a claim because you withheld medical details. Not all insurance companies insist on disclosure but it is advisable to tell so that they can't use it as an excuse in the future.

EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATES

The level of success with changing certificates to a new name varies. GCSE, 'O' and 'A' level certificates are normally covered but some will deny that they will change names. They usually have a policy of changing names in the case of transsexualism. You will need to enclose the documents and the fee that they charge per certificate. Universities and Professional Bodies may not have the same policies and it will depend on the institution. Some bodies refuse to make any changes so it is worth appealing and putting your case in person. If that fails, it is possible that you may be able to make a challenge in court for sex-discrimination but this has not been tested yet. For further advice contact Press For Change.

CHEQUE BOOKS AND GUARANTEE CARDS

Cheque Books and Bank Guarantee Cards just need the documents and a visit to see you Bank Manager or Financial Advisor. New books and cards will usually be issued very quickly.

MISCELLANEOUS

If you pay Rent or Council Tax or any other bills, it is important that you remember to inform the relevant people. You don't really need the letter from your GP/Psychiatrist here but it's worth sending them anyway. You may call yourself by any name you choose but British Adminstrators are often unable to think for themselves so a copy of the name change document is advisable.

Your car registration documents and Title Deeds for your home will also need to be changed. If you sign on, you will need to inform your local job-centre but may ask to see a supervisor, and you can ask to be placed on a sensitive claim so that nobody below the level of supervisor may access more than the basic details of your claim.

Courtesy of Pamela's Palace

Reproduced by kind permission of Pamela Sexton

All the information in this information sheet, including the web verions remains copyrighted by Pamela Sexton, with all world wide rights reserved.

This information sheet was edited for Transsexual UK by Krystyna Haywood, 2005.