ID: The New Me!!

There's many places with different laws, so this is only applicable in Ontario, Canada. Always read the fine print.

(these three are done at once)

Application to Change Sex on birth certificate-$37 Birth Certificate-$25 Certified Copy of Birth Registration-$35

Name Change-$137

Total-$234

There's a lot of rules about this, but to change your sex on your birth certificate you must present for 12 months. So basically you can start presenting the day you start HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) and apply for SRS (Sexual Reassignment Surgery) and a new birth certificate on the same day. Since SRS is covered by OHIP if you're on HRT for 12 months.

Now when choosing a name I think you should pick something that doesn't stand out too much and fits, because this is becoming your legal name. When you're 70 are you going to want to be that flashy named weirdo or Agnes, the sweet lady with two cats. You're taking the unique chance to choose how people will refer to you, you'll want to make it something that sounds like everyone else.

Fitting is something that really needs to happen. People yell (whatever spelling of the name Caitlyn you feel like choosing today because there's A MILLION) and I instinctively turn. Nobody uses it out loud with me yet, but I still turn. I have a connection with my name and nobody's said Katilyn to me once. That's what you want, the name is basically just a word to sum up your entire being. You don't want to use something that sounds like a normal word, as that will come up a lot. "yeah Doug, that hole!" "Oh you did" "NO! That's the hole I was talking about" "Yeah you dug it" "What? no!"

That's obviously a joke, but you get the point I'm trying to make. Having a name that can get mixed up is a bad idea, but if it's the name that clicks and you respond to it then the second part is more important. You're free to do what you want, and I'm not one to stop anyone from doing something that won't hurt anyone. I just want to give ideas and tips.

A good starting point is just searching "Baby names from [your birth year]" and having a friend yell a bunch at you and seeing if you respond to any or if any of them make you feel something on the inside. Ideally pick a middle name that can be shortened to make yourself more casual or professional sounding. I can either be Katilyn Ann at a party or Katilyn Hannah in a meeting. It's easy when you get to choose it yourself, my deadname doesn't have nearly as much phonetic flow. It's nice when you're able to make it exactly what you want, and can make it phonetically pleasing.

#LGBT #transgender #trans