Lunch with a friend as Marian

 

I'm moving with the help of pain killers these days, and can't wait until I return from my trip to let the doctors get at me.  Today could be the last day I can spend as Marian for the next few weeks, and I made the decision to make the most of it.

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Getting up this morning was a little bit of an effort.  But I was able to get moving with the help of pain killers and my cane.  So, showering would be a pain, as it could hurt to stand while in the shower.  Knowing this, I did the minimum needed to present as Marian, and found a dress that needed a second wearing before going in the hamper.

Before I started my morning routine, I contacted the foreign birth registry to discuss the status of my paperwork.  I has asked one of my female friends what she did to change her name after getting married, and she said that her marriage certificate was all she needed to deal with America's social security administration, and with New York State's motor vehicle department.  So, I came prepared with knowledge that most women did not have to file for court ordered name changes - the government issued marriage certificate was enough.  When I finally chatted with an agent, I was told that the official records from New York City (with stamp) were good enough for me to send off.  So, now it's off to Maria again (after my vacation) and restart the process of getting my second citizenship. 

Although CCS knows that I am non-op transgender and has met me as Mario, I made the effort to present as best as possible in Marian mode.  I was lucky not to be in much pain to walk to my car, walk to my seat in the restaurant, and reverse the process in returning home.  Both of us needed to talk a bit, and we competed a little to get what we needed to say said.  And yet, we did so without trouble, wishing that we could afford more time to chat. 

When I got home, it was a little difficult for me to climb the stairs.  But, I should be able to do some laundry tomorrow.... 

 

I got crucified by a paper pusher - will I come back to life?

 

As I've written before, I applied for the foreign birth registry of a nation, so that my right to claim citizenship is recognized.  Although my brother hit a bump in the road with his paperwork, he is now a dual citizen of both the United States and of this country (which I will leave unnamed at the moment.)  I just hit another bump in the road, and I will need to resubmit my photographs (no big problem) and submit one extra piece of paperwork that I do not have access to - my grandmother's marriage certificate.  AARGH!

I do not know if my brother has the date and jurisdiction of my grandmother's marriage license, so that I can get a certified copy from the appropriate entity to file with the photographs requested by the foreign birth registry.   But you might be interested in the contents of the following letter, so that if you are going through this process, you can understand what I'm going through.

Dear applicant,

We are dealing with your application to obtain Citizenship through entry on the Foreign Births Register. Unfortunately we cannot proceed with your application without the following document/s:


For the applicant (yourself):

1. A newly completed application form (pdf attached) and 4 new photographs, the witness to the application submitted is not the same witness that certified/witnessed your passport sized photos and your photo ID. The same witness must certify/witness all your documents. Please ensure the form is completed in full. Please ensure that the back of 2 of the photographs submitted are stamped, signed, dated and the application number is entered on the back by your witness. Please ensure that your witness stamps, signs and dates your application and submits a business card /letterhead if no stamp is available.

2. A certified/witnessed photocopy of your current state-issued photographic ID document (i.e. passport, drivers licence, national identity card), certified/witnessed by the witness to your application form. If you are sending a copy of your passport, please ensure that all the data on the photo page is fully visible.


For the grandparent (your grandmother):

1. Original civil marriage certificate/s showing name change from birth surname to current surname - Church certificates, certificates of marriage registration, marriage licenses and/or photocopies are not acceptable.

Please ensure that your application number is clearly marked on the envelope.

When the documents are received and your application is reviewed, you may be contacted again for further clarification or documents if required.

As you can see, I have a bit of work before me.  My grandmother's history is a bit sketchy, as my dad preserved precious little documentation regarding her life.  Yet, my brother squeaked through this process, so I should do so as well.  But when?  I want to be able to leave the USA if the Orange Monster goes completely berserk.

 

 

PS: We found a photograph of the Marriage Certificate, but we need an official copy. Given that it is not digitally accessible in the NYC records database, it's going to be a bit more of a pain in the ass than I would like.