I absolutely hate my birth name and want to change it. What can I do? ?

Question

I'm 16. My mom refuses to call me by any nickname or name that I choose, and instead refers to me only as "the child". I've hated my birth name since I was little and now that I'm out as trans I desperately want to use my chosen name. How can I go about changing my name?

Update:

The way my mom refers to me feels incredibly dehumanizing but she refuses to stop. What can I do to get her to call me my chosen name?

reme_1 · Answer

Reach out to your dad or other family members. Start meeting other adult trans people and get their support. Contact PFLAG.org for help. They are a wonderful support group made up mostly of parents of LGBT kids. They will talk to your mother.

Anonymous · Answer

You can't change your name until you're  a legal adult. Why don't you google the rules for your state...

? · Answer

It's a lengthy process and depending on where you live it's hella expensive and the United States I believe it's $100 per letter.
I believe that you would just have to look up offices that do name changes and you would more than likely have to pay a notary to notarize it.

Sky · Answer

At this time there's nothing you can do but continuing to insist on your preferred name, and refusing to respond when someone calls you by your birth name.  Other than that, all you can do is wait until you're 18, at which time nobody can stop you from going to the court house and having them legally change your name.  However, since at this time your mom refuses to call you by the name you prefer, once you change it legally, she'll probably continue to call you by your birth name after you change it legally.

Anonymous · Answer

Without parental consent you cannot legally change your name.
What does your father say?

T J · Answer

Look up the laws in your state, and apply for a name change, A judge will review your request and make the change legal.

? · Answer

In the 10 commandments it says you should honour your father and mother. Trying to change the name they gave you is dishonouring them.

Audrey · Answer

When you become 18, you can change it to mud if you wish.

tentofield · Answer

As long as you do not do it to defraud anyone, you can go by any name you like. Once you turn 18 and are an adult, it is easy to change your name legally and you will get a new birth certificate, drivers licence, passport etc in your new name. In the meantime, introduce yourself to others by the name you want to be called and get your friends to use it. Mothers tend not to go along with name changes so let her have her way while you use the new name all the time.

Anonymous · Answer

Wait till you are a legal adult and change it.

I absolutely hate my birth name and want to change it. What can I do? ?

10 Answers