You may also wish to change your name on various documents such as examination certificates. All you need do is to write to the examination bodies concerned, enclosing a certified copy of your statutory declaration. There may well be a fee for such a service and you should enquire beforehand.

Some University examination bodies have recently refused to alter the name on the degree certificates of some transsexual people. If this happens, then initially write an appeal to the examinations office, with supporting evidence such as your statutory declaration and doctor’s letter. If again refused, then contact the Lesbian and Gay officer of the students union, who will ensure that you have support when you make a formal appeal to the University Senate body, though it would be surprising if the University insisted upon taking the matter that far.

Bank Accounts

Being transsexual presents no problem as far as banks or building societies are concerned. They will apply exactly the same criteria in the case of credit assessment as for anyone else.

The bank will change your name as a matter of course once it has received a certified copy of your statutory declaration. The bank will also require a signature card with your new signature or in the case of a second account the signature which you will use for the operation of that account.

Credit Cards

Again altering details on these and requesting new ones will present no problems. Simply send a covering letter to the credit card company together with a copy of your statutory declaration requesting a change in your name and requesting that new cards be issued in that name.

The FAQ section on changing your documents includes specific advice on major documents.

But there will be many other bodies which you will need to inform, including:

• utilities such as the gas, electricity, telephone and water companies
• your council (if you pay council tax)
• insurance policies (house, car, life insurance etc)
• any clubs and societies of which you are a member

If you own a house or flat in your own name, you must change your name on the proprietorship register at the district land registry where your property is registered.

You need to forward a covering letter stating the address of your property together with the registered title number of the property concerned and enclose a certified copy of your Statutory Declaration. If your property is mortgaged then you must also inform your building society or mortgagee.

If you are not sure where your property is registered you should contact the solicitor who handled the purchase of the house for you as they will generally know which registry you should contact.

You can obtain a new passport showing you as ‘Mr’ and ‘male’.

All you need do is to complete the passport application together with the statutory fee and send this with a copy of your Doctor’s or Psychiatrist’s letter and a copy of your Statutory Declaration. (The Passport Service’s website includes a page on the cost of applying for a passport).

You must also send your old passport back if you have one. If you have not held a passport before, then you must also send your original birth certificate to the passport office.

You should send your passport application to:

• The Office Manager

You need to get a form from your post office to apply for a driving licence.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) now issues only photocard-style driving licenses, so you will now be asked for a photograph which will be included on your new licence. Try to get a photo which you will be happy with for some time in your new role, and make sure that it complies with the DVLA's criteria.

Send the form, along with a covering letter, to the DVLA in Swansea together with a copy of your Doctor's or Psychiatrist's letter and a copy of your Statutory Declaration and your old driving licence. (The DVLA's website includes a useful page on How to Apply for your Driving Licence & How much it will cost.)

Send a letter, and the documentation required, in confidence, to your Inspector of Taxes — the address is available from your employer’s personnel or wages office.

Mark the envelope as “private and confidential” of the tax office which deals with your affairs and quote your National Insurance number and Tax reference (available from your wages office or often it is on your wages slip).

Your income tax records will always be changed and any further correspondence will always be addressed in your new legal name. If you advise

Once you have chosen your name and prepared your statutory declaration you need to swear it in front of someone who is authorised to notarise it.

Notarised copies

It is then a very good idea to get several notarised copies of your statutory declaration. That way, you will rarely have to use the original copy, which you can keep safely at home.

Send a certified copy of your statutory declaration with your doctor’s letter together with a letter from yourself quoting your National Insurance (NI) number to the central office of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) as follows:

• Department of Social Security,
  Special Section D, Room 105H,
  Contributions Agency Central Operations,
  Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE98 1YX.
  Telephone: 0191 225 7123

The DWP will acknowledge your change of name and style of address and reply in a standard letter stating that in effect that the change will have no effect to any legal entitlement to state benefits, especially the state pension. You may also receive a plastic NI numbercard which will show the new title and name but there will be nothing on the card to indicate any change of name or previous name.

To obtain a new NHS Medical Card you should write to your local Family Practitioner Committee [address available from your GP], requesting a Medical Card in your new name, and enclosing the letter from your Doctor or Psychiatrist as outlined above together with a copy of your Statutory Declaration and your old NHS Medical Card.

Your new Medical Card number will be a completely new number, though the last three figures which are the ID suffix will remain the same. Your new number will also have a special prefix of an A or a Z which denotes that an alteration or variation in unspecified status has taken place.