It's usual to change your name at around the time you transition. I decided it would be a good idea to do this when I started getting strange looks from bank staff, after all, I don't much look like a Craig, and became sick of having to explain myself. Also, wandering into a pharmacy to collect scripts for female hormones is a little easier if you do it with a female name. Not that pharmacies are often difficult, just that as I said before, you get a little sick of having to explain yourself at every turn.

To change your name, all you have to do is wander along to your local Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, and tell the person behind the counter that you would like to change your name by deed poll. This is a simple document that states your old name, your address, etc, and the name that you would like to be known by. It has nothing to do with gender whatsoever. Once completed, the deed poll has to be signed in the presence of either a commissioner of declarations, or a justice of the peace. You'll have to fill in two copies, one of which is kept on file (with a statutory declaration), and the other you get to keep, after shelling out the required fee ($62 in the ACT).

The usual response when doing this (from the counter staff) is a great big grin. Female staff, especially, think it's really cool. I can't say what reaction you'll get, but remember that these people have doubtless seen it all before (we've all changed our names) and are quite used to it.

Next, you have to march along to all the banks, credit unions, etc, to which you belong, and inform them of your name change. Again, the response from most people is positive. Many of them will want a copy of your deed poll to throw in their files.

Just remember, it's a common occurrence for people to change their name, so counter staff are quite used to it, and are able to follow standard procedures. After all, how many people get married each year? The hard bit is changing your sex, but banks etc are usually OK about that. If not, just close your accounts, and open new ones with a passport (or drivers licence if you live in the right state) for proof of ID.

You'll also have to inform motor registry (if you have a licence) and the Electoral Commission that you've changed your name, as well as Medicare and your doctors etc. After a while, you'll start to see your old name crop up less often. When it does, just inform the troublesome party, and all should be well. Personell records are often a really sticky one, but that comes under the title 'transitioning', and as I had a disgracefully easy run of it, don't ask me for advice.