I mean, I can claim my name is whatever I like, but when the police pull me or a bank clerk ask me for an ID to identify myself before withdrawing the money, what stays there would be something different.
I am surprised that in the USA one is even allowed to present himself in the official context by the "non official" name. Is changing a legal name there so complex? Yes, it's a lot of work to change all documents, but does it really take five years?
* Court order to change name (I've done this, but decided I didn't like the name so I need to do it again.)
* Send form to change sex on driver's license (did this.)
* Go in person to DMV to update name and get new photo (haven't done this because pandemic.)
* Update gender and name on passport (requires attestation from doctor, copy of court order, previous passport and current ID, if passport is expired) (haven't done this.)
* Update gender and name on social security card (requires updated passport.)
* Update name on bank (requires updated social security card)
And to change sex on birth certificate, according to the rules of my state:
* Get endorsements from therapist and psychiatrist for vaginoplasty.
* Get vaginoplasty.
* Doctor attests to the state that you have a vagina now.
* Original birth certificate, attestation and passport -> updated birth certificate.
The last step isn't super necessary unless you're emigrating to another country.
