I’m a transgender student from Florida and will be applying for a legal name change sometime in June or July (I’m taking a senior trip and will not be able to have it changed before I get my passport, so I’ll be waiting until after the trip in May). I’ve already listed my preferred name and legal name on the Common App but I’m still somewhat confused. Obviously my legal name goes on the legally binding forms but will those need to be updated as soon as my name is changed, even before I’ve officially enrolled? Additionally, am I allowed to use my preferred name on recommendations and such as long as it’s not a legal form? I’d prefer to use my chosen name for pretty much anything but legally binding documents, but I also don’t want to confuse admissions officials or broadcast ‘hey, I’m trans, go ahead and judge my application based on that’ all over everything. Would really appreciate any advice from anyone who has gone through a similar process. I know there are other threads with similar problems but I can’t find anything specific to Florida law and requirements. If it helps, I’m applying to every Florida public state school except New College (doesn’t have my degree). Thanks in advance!
At some point before enrollment
Yes
There will probably never be a convenient time to get all the paperwork changed, so I’d just do it now. If you can get the name changed in say December, you can get your passport changed in about 2 months. One consideration might be if you have a ‘child’ passport (did you get it before you turned 16?) or an adult one. If a child one, you’d have to get an adult one (child passports can’t be renewed and every one is a ‘new’ application). An adult passport can have the name changed for free after an event like marriage or a name change.
But you could just wait until next summer. People do change their names before starting college (marriage, divorce, turned 18 and just wanted a different name). I used to process name changes at a court and many people have to get a name change to get a passport (name spelled wrong on birth certificate, marriage, divorce, adoption, etc). I’d issue and order and then they had to take the order to all the places they needed to get new ID - DMV, SSA, employers, and yes, colleges.
As long as the college can match the recommendation to the name on the application, it shouldn’t be a problem.
@kelsmom Can a name disconnect on social security and tax records cause a problem with need based financial aid?
Yes, it can be an issue. The fact that it’s Florida makes me reluctant to give any specific advice, to be honest. My suggestion is to contact each school to ask what they want from you to make sure things go smoothly with your financial aid. I have helped a number of students with difficult name issues over the years - transgender, divorce, name changes. Each situation has to be handled individually, and at times it was a bear to get everything to clear checks & balances in the federal system (if you have Florida state aid like Bright Futures, that may also be a point of contact to get a name change properly reflected). While it can be a pain, it’s not an insurmountable issue. You just have to be proactive & make sure that you give each school what they request.
This has a Florida section:
Maybe worth a couple of phone calls to get some free guidance and advice?
Unfortunately, I need to wait until April since that’s when I turn 18. I just got my passport last week and will be looking into having the name changed on it as soon as my name change goes through, but it’s probably not going to be done until after the trip since it’ll take a month to go through the court and then another month or so to get the passport changed after that. Luckily I’ll be able to get it done for ‘free’ (it’s still about $25, but way less than paying for a new one). I’ll be changing my SSN card and getting my license after that, hopefully all before summer session B starts. Thank you so much for the reply-from my understanding, basically I can do the applications under my legal name with my chosen name given so they can put it on anything not legally binding, and then have the legal documents changed once my name change is processed. Sorry if I got anything wrong in my question or reply-all of this is a lot to keep track off, especially since I’ve never really gotten any paperwork like this done before
Ooh, you’re right about the Bright Future’s stuff. At this point, I think I’m going to submit my applications as-is with my legal name on everything but the box asking for chosen name, and then call each school to figure out the financial aid part. I’m changing my SSN over the summer so to my understanding I’d then need to contact the school I select to let them know the information from my FAFSA has been changed. I don’t think I have to submit taxes for this year since I made under $5,000 so hopefully that won’t be an issue, although I’ll need to have my bank account information changed. Really annoying to have all the laws in Florida changing right now, but hopefully waiting until 18 will dodge most of that, since it’s all aimed at minors.
I think I’d just wait until after you are accepted and have decided where to go and then initiate the process so you only have to deal with the one school. They will have someone in admissions who can help you or direct you to who you need to talk to.
My son changed his name and gender legally in high school in another state than yours. No advice but sending love.
My son is applying with his legal name but indicating his preferred name. He will change it legally with the college after acceptance. All best!