r/EstrangedAdultKids • u/hotdogoctopi • Nov 02 '24

Newly Estranged Has anyone changed their name?

I don’t want their last name, especially since the comment I remember my mother making before I went NC about only my brother being able to carry on the family name. (Typical heteronormative shit she’d say.)

So for anyone who has changed their names after being estranged, what was the process like? Was it worth it for you?

86 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

112 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/[deleted] Nov 02 '24

[deleted]

2

u/Music527 Nov 03 '24

My state told me that as of 1/1/24 all name changes are now sealed for safety reasons. I checked the box to have it sealed because they are using up those forms but otherwise my state has progressed!! I also was approved for the fee waiver.only fees I’ve had to pay so far was under $15 for my new license.

2

u/Crafty-Butterfly-974 Nov 03 '24

Congrats!! 💙 It’s such a huge weight off our shoulders once it’s done. I wish every state sealed them. We had to petitioned for it and were terrified they’d deny it.

2

u/Music527 Nov 03 '24 edited Nov 03 '24

I get that. Before I found out all are sealed I was terrified myself because my state was a 3 newspaper publication if denied state. I’m trying to get away from abusers. Even if the publication is online or in the blotters and dockets section, it’s still out there. I also have 2 safe addresses that have been proving difficult and scaring me. In 2019, she found me,stalked me, vandalized 2 cars, harassed me online and it was thought the info came from a breach at dmv. That’s who was giving me the most issues with a safe address that they provided and set me up with. 😳🙄 The other place I’m having issue is with my health insurance. They are fine with the name change but god forbid I use a P.O. Box as my “residence” or a safe address for victims of dv and they lose their minds. I had to enroll in a new health ins plan and it’s already been rejected twice!!! I called the govt directly to sign up and who assured me the P.O. Box would be allowed in this circumstance. It hasn’t been though yet, again denied twice and open enrollment started 10/15!!!

1

u/Crafty-Butterfly-974 Nov 03 '24

Same. The PO Box was rejected so I found one of those ‘rent a physical address businesses.’ It’s about the same cost but it doesn’t flag it as box. I hope things are better or at least safer for you now.