^{STEP BY STEP:}
Legal Name Change
_(Scotland)

Visit this link for a screen-reader friendly Word Doc.In Scotland, you can change your legal name at 16. A Statutory Declaration can be witnessed and signed by a Justice of Peace FOR FREE to do this.There is no limit to the number of times via statutory declaration, though the process can be stressful.This guide will focus on this route.｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆｡･::UK WIDEElsewhere, you can also read about changing your name via unenrolled deed poll HERE. This is also a free pathway, starting from the age of 16, and requires two witnesses 18 or above, who are not your relatives, in a relationship with you, and do not live with you.This freedeedpoll.org.uk links to a free deed poll template.｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆｡･::Last updated: 06/0624
_{Notable edits: YSC info, Places for Printing + Tackling Travel Cost, Updated FLYER, Deed Poll info, Embedded Flyer Preview, added screen-reader friendly Word doc.}Art by: @artbleps｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆｡･::Although this resource is targeted towards transgender individuals, anyone who wants to change their legal name may find this helpful.

GUIDE

HOME

first things first:

What can a Statutory Declaration (of name change) do?

A legal document and formal statement affirming something is true to the best of the knowledge of the declarant.｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆｡･::CAN:
+ change your legal name
(name on passport, bank account,
driver's license, etc.)
+ change your name on your NEC* (if you have already registered to have one, you ONLY need this. Go to your local library. Don’t speed walk to Tesco for a photo and die in the Scottish summer, then to the library. GO STRAIGHT TO THE LIBRARY.)
Where is my Library?CANNOT:
- change the name on your birth certificate. You can do this as explained HERE, please note that you can only change your forename ONCE on your birth certificate. Without a GRC**, your birth name will still be listed on it.
- change your legally recognised gender (Requires GRC)｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆｡･::YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR TITLE WITHOUT THIS (Mr, Mrs, Mx, Ms, Miss...)- just contact the organisations in question and let them know :)genderkit.org.uk is a website with more information on that, documents, and all things trans._{*NEC - e.g. Young Scot Card}
_{**GRC = Gender Recognition Certificate}

How to begin?

Writing the Declaration

Luckily, there is no need to draft one yourself - the (Microsoft WORD) template that I used is provided HERE (credit - scottishtrans.org)AT THE BOTTOM, IT SAYS 'SIGNED:', THE '[INSERT NEW FULL NAME]' NEXT TO IT IS NOT COLOURED IN GREEN, BUT YOU SHOULD REPLACE ITI... I didn't, as I had not seen it, even after rigorous checking, and so I wrote my new full name beside it.If you do not have Word, simply copy it into the writing software you DO have.You have to bring your own documents for signing, so print around 10 copies. This is the recommended number as you will be sending these off to different organisations.DO NOT fill in the lined (example - ' _________ ') blanks after printing. Those will be completed on the day.Where can I print my documents? (Library)Unfortunately, I have not found a free alternative, though if you go to a school, uni, or college, they should have a printer on campus that you can use. Failing that, search for 'Printing Shops near me'.There is no requirement that the paper you print on has to be anything other than printer paper.

what to bring (prep.)

Checklist!

☐ ~10 printed copies of the completed Statutory Declaration
☐ 2 pieces of identifying information (e.g. birth certificate, passport, young scot's card, driver's license...)
☐ A pen (I brought my own - just in case!)

First contact

Booking an Appointment

Depending on your area, there are different Sheriff and JP courts. Click HERE and you can use their website to plan your travel route and find out the specific information for your local court.Call their number, and LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE PRE-RECORDED MESSAGE, AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED.I followed their website instructions (pressing 6, in my case) and wasted 44 minutes on hold, all because I didn't bother to listen to all of the pre-recorded message.｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆｡･::TIPS AND TRICKS
I use this because I am autistic, but scripting can help for everyone. If you are feeling nervous/stressed (like I did), it can lessen the worry of blanking out on what to say. Writing it somewhere down where you can read it off can be very helpful.e.g. 'Hello, I'm calling to book an appointment to get a statutory declaration signed and witnessed. After we get a date down, may I ask a few questions?','Yep, that sounds good.''( insert lines of questions to be asked afterwards )'｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆｡･::LIST OF HELPFUL
SELF- SOOTHING (DE-STRESSING) TECHNIQUES (link)

THE BIG DAY

Procedure

!!! IMPORTANT !!!
Surround yourself with people who will be happy with you on the day. Treat yourself afterwards, have fun with friends or supportive family beforehand. This is a big step, and I find, emotions are easier in good company.Travel costs may be accounted for by a Young Scots Card for those under 22.｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆｡･::So, as you wait anxiously on the journey there, what should you reasonably expect?In my experience, the security guard asked me if I knew where to go (it was pretty obvious I was a first-timer!), but please, do ask if you are unsure, it is their job to help you.The wait was stressful, but I brought a book with me to help distract myself and calm down. Bring noise-cancelling headphones. Bring fidget toys. Bring whatever will help you remain in a good state of mind.Remember to read up on the rules regarding electronics and items! The clothing rules seemed pretty lax, for mine, though do dress smartly. Mobile phones were also to be turned off.This is YOUR day.If they are late for the appointment, that's annoying, but okay. Courts and such sometimes run behind schedule, they have not forgotten you.The JP that signed my copies was lovely and extremely polite regarding my name change - I had been anxious about that, but there seemed to be no need to worry!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

You've done it!
_{Or well, you know how to!}

This is certainly one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. Although a name change (of any sort) is not necessary, it can still be incredibly validating and save a lot of dysphoria.You are valid with, or without a name change. With, or without dysphoria.And for everyone, including those changing their name for other reasons? Hey. I'm proud of you.Legal stuff is tricky, draining, and a bit frustrating. But you've gotten through it, and if no one else tells you today, I'll say it again:I'm proud of you. You did good. :)｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆｡･::･ﾟ★,｡･::･ﾟ☆｡･::If you know anyone that might benefit from this carrd (or someone who knows someone else) or are in a group online, irl, anywhere, where this could potentially save someone a lot of hassle, please spread it around.I have a link to a downloadable PDF of my FLYER / POSTER (as shown below) HERE!Black and White + Low Colour versions coming soon!

FEEDBACK?
Outdated or Inaccurate?
Further Queries?Success Stories?

Email me at: [email protected]
Instagram: @artbleps

More projects to come :)CURRENTLY WORKING ON: a (good looking) printable pdf version of this website.

STEP BY STEP: Legal Name Change (Scotland)