Michelle_P - The next journey

[Donica]

Wow! I don't think there could be anything left to go wrong (famous last words). Well, now you have a home that should last 30 years before needing anything else (again famous last words). Enjoy your new home.

Hugs!

 

[Michelle_P]

Wow. Time flies! Four years ago today...

I think I just set some sort of record.

My petition to the Court requesting the government acknowledge my existence was heard this morning at 9:00 AM. The judge had a couple of other name change petitions this morning, and called us all forward by name, to be seated at the Petitioner and Respondant tables. Yes, I heard "Michelle Jean Paquette" called for the first time in that courtroom.

He then signed the documents, passing them to the clerk, who did something with the computer system and then handed us the documents. He told us to take them downstairs to Filing, get them recorded, and get certified copies. (Nothing unexpected there.) In at 9:00, and out with my court order recognizing me at 9:08.

I had the order filed at once, and got my certified copies, embossed with the court seal and stamp, and signed by the Clerk. By 10 AM I was home. I put the car away, grabbed my prepared materials, and added the court order copies. Time for a little walk to the Civic Center.

At 10:30 I was in the Post Office queue, and by 11 (they ARE the post office...) I had posted a packet to the Department of Vital Records, by priority mail, that should arrive Monday. That one requests the birth certificate under the new name and gender, and seals the old certificate.

At 11:10 I had checked in at Social Security and was in their queue. At noon, my Numident record had my new name and gender inserted. Off to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

At 12:15 I was in the DMV queue. At 12:30, they rejected my paperwork, due to a blank 'Case Number' field in the doctor's form. Kaiser doesn't seem to actually have case numbers, after calling them, but my Medical Record Number would do. Yay cellphones. OK, I fill that in and get back in the queue. Eventually a really nice older woman calls my number, and we chat while she gets the system to open up the name/gender change screens. A manager has to sign the forms, and then unlock the screen so the clerk can enter the new information. At 2:08 PM, I have the traditional bad photo taken, and I am out the door, new license on the way, old license sealed.

Five hours from gavel strike to being done with the Birth certificate, Social Security card, and Drivers License. The SS and DMV cards will be here within 2 weeks. The birth certificate takes a few months, but everything is filed and in process before any administrative rule changes might happen.

Time for a lunch break... Or something...

Over the moon? Elated? Excited? Oh, you bet! I am definitely going to celebrate this event. I don't know how, just yet, but it will happen.

 

[OzGirl]

Michelle, I am so excited for you! It’s one thing to know inside who you are, but it is thrilling to be officially recognised! And every time you open your wallet and see the real you on your drivers licence is affirming! Celebrate now and enjoy for life!

Hugs,

Allie

 

[magic_michelle]

that is amazing news Michelle and a truly happy day to be sure... legal validation of your identity is a special feeling and I 'm so very happy for you... nice name too btw

 

[Donica]

So Michelle, does this mean you're only 4 years young?

 

[Michelle_P]

Michelle, I am so excited for you! It’s one thing to know inside who you are, but it is thrilling to be officially recognised! And every time you open your wallet and see the real you on your drivers licence is affirming! Celebrate now and enjoy for life!

Hugs,

Allie

Thanks. This was from 4 years ago as of yesterday, and it was such a crazy day that I thought it would be fun to revisit.

 

[Michelle_P]

So Michelle, does this mean you're only 4 years young?

Paperwork age 4, mental age 19, physical age 67.

The youngster in me is looking in the mirror and asking "What the hell happened?"

 

[Monica]

You were a busy girl, no matter your age. Congrats, Hon!

 

[NicoleT]

Wow. Time flies! Four years ago today...

I think I just set some sort of record.

My petition to the Court requesting the government acknowledge my existence was heard this morning at 9:00 AM. The judge had a couple of other name change petitions this morning, and called us all forward by name, to be seated at the Petitioner and Respondant tables. Yes, I heard "Michelle Jean Paquette" called for the first time in that courtroom.

He then signed the documents, passing them to the clerk, who did something with the computer system and then handed us the documents. He told us to take them downstairs to Filing, get them recorded, and get certified copies. (Nothing unexpected there.) In at 9:00, and out with my court order recognizing me at 9:08.

I had the order filed at once, and got my certified copies, embossed with the court seal and stamp, and signed by the Clerk. By 10 AM I was home. I put the car away, grabbed my prepared materials, and added the court order copies. Time for a little walk to the Civic Center.

At 10:30 I was in the Post Office queue, and by 11 (they ARE the post office...) I had posted a packet to the Department of Vital Records, by priority mail, that should arrive Monday. That one requests the birth certificate under the new name and gender, and seals the old certificate.

At 11:10 I had checked in at Social Security and was in their queue. At noon, my Numident record had my new name and gender inserted. Off to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

At 12:15 I was in the DMV queue. At 12:30, they rejected my paperwork, due to a blank 'Case Number' field in the doctor's form. Kaiser doesn't seem to actually have case numbers, after calling them, but my Medical Record Number would do. Yay cellphones. OK, I fill that in and get back in the queue. Eventually a really nice older woman calls my number, and we chat while she gets the system to open up the name/gender change screens. A manager has to sign the forms, and then unlock the screen so the clerk can enter the new information. At 2:08 PM, I have the traditional bad photo taken, and I am out the door, new license on the way, old license sealed.

Five hours from gavel strike to being done with the Birth certificate, Social Security card, and Drivers License. The SS and DMV cards will be here within 2 weeks. The birth certificate takes a few months, but everything is filed and in process before any administrative rule changes might happen.

Time for a lunch break... Or something...

Over the moon? Elated? Excited? Oh, you bet! I am definitely going to celebrate this event. I don't know how, just yet, but it will happen.

Michelle........ this is the exact thing I get to go do on Friday.

I’ve had a rough couple of days, a bigot I work with (who is a manager) Beat me up mentally a little bit. I have to come out to everybody else at work the following week. Lots of prep going on. My nerves are shot, my anxiety is really high, so scary what I need to do...........But this Friday I get to go to court do exactly what you described. Re reading your post from four years ago is exciting and heartwarming all at the same time. Thank God for Pioneers like you to make me possible. I just hope mine goes smoothly considering I’m in Texas.

Hugs
Nicole

 

[Michelle_P]

Well, relocating 1000 km / 600 mile north definitely changed some things. What was a once in 50 years event down south is an annual event here.

Brrrr!

Meanwhile, it IS Valentine’s Day. Laurie likes carrot cake, as does her sister, so I made a date-appropriate one for Valentine’s Day and our third Smoochiversary.