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legal |
Overview
Solidifying your legal identity is a must if you are going to transition and stay that way. The difficulty of doing the change varies from locale to locale, but with preparation and dedication you can most likely get through it. The keys are to get as much documentation about your process as possible, stick to the procedures, and pursue it. Give yourself plenty of time to do it because it will take months even under the best of circumstances.
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My plan of attack was to get enough documentation (driver's license at the DMV and social security card from the SSA) to jump to full-time and worry about the rest later. With those two pieces of documentation I've been able to get car loans, credit cards, change all my paperwork at the office, and update medical records all over the place. The court ordered name change will be the final piece which will help with the birth certificate, the diploma, and renewing my passport.
DMV
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- the Medical Information Authorization (DL-328) signed by my doctor. To download the form join the Yahoo group DMV_Issues.
- an introduction letter from my therapist
- completed Driver License or Identification Card Application (DL-44). Obtain from the office directly when you go there.
With all the forms in order I went with a friend down to the office. After waiting my turn and submitting the paperwork to this little clerk I got nervous when he seemed to be all confused about what to do. But I maintained my calm composure and was ready to explain gently to him what I needed to have him do. I paid my money, got my picture taken, and soon I had my temporary license in hand! Now it was off to the SSA before the cross-check completes.
Social Security
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I had all my paperwork (Application for a Social Security Card, SS-5) ready and so I could show my ID at the door. (I had an expired ID from a while ago.) Going through the metal detectors was interesting because I had to flash that old ID and explain the situation quickly. Fortunately I didn't have to worry too much about slipping off my shoes and purse and passing through the metal detectors.
I got up to the SSA office, talked to the clerk, and presented my situation slowly and calmly. She pointed me to the right person to handle my paperwork. I can't remember exactly what I brought but I think it was my old driver's license, my new temporary, my old Social Security card, and my counselor's introduction letter. I was ready to have the SSA clerk call my counselor in realtime if necessary. But no complications happened, we had a quick chat, and I waltzed out of the office with my receipt.
Follow-ups
The legal process is a quagmire and one of the simplest ways to stay on top of things is to be in high-touch with the people who took your paperwork. The SSA was the biggest concern to me because I wanted to be sure the paperwork got accepted and confirmed within 72 hours. I can't remember exactly what I did but I think I called the SSA the following day to make sure there were no problems detected with my paperwork.
Regarding the DMV I did call up the main office in Sacramento and after a few tries found the department handling these special ID cases. The trouble was that they couldn't look up my new ID number because it hadn't been entered into the database yet. And my old ID number had no link to the new one---I had a new number. But I harassed them and called back a couple weeks later. I was concerned when I was told the paperwork had gone to a particular department for processing and essentially it was a black hole. I even resent all the paperwork I had (which is one very good reason to request copies of all paperwork filed!!!). Finally after the third try I got the answer I was looking for: your paperwork has just been entered in our computers.
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