So let me start off by saying I'm dyslexic. This means that my handwriting is horrid to the point of borderline illegible unless I write VERY slowly. It also makes some of my letters (s and z specifically) come out backwards without me knowing, it makes spelling harder, and it makes replicating the order of words and sequences of characters (numbers in particular) difficult.

The last document I need updated is my birth certificate, which I discovered is now done by mail only. I put this off the longest because I knew exactly what happened would happen. I go in to places in person to do this stuff for a reason.

First, I find the form I need to fill out on their website and get a PDF of it. Gotta go to the library because I don't own a printer. Upon opening the PDF I realize it's 20 pages long, 17 of which are just instructions outlining how extremely specific and precise you have to be filling out the forms. Wording and spelling must be perfect. Must also contain the case number listed on my name change order. (Insert instant anxiety here)

So I arrive at the library to print my forms and their system won't allow for printing only specific pages of a PDF and there is no PDF of just the forms without the 17 pages of instructions so I print the whole thing out at 10 cents per page for $2. I take it home to fill it out and slowly, carefully, and anxiously work my way through it. I get like 90% done and realize I messed up one line.

Second trip to the library, another 20 pages, another $2. I get home and... Mess up a different line. Mind you it's 102 degrees fahrenheit outside and my cars ac doesn't work and the driver side window doesn't roll down. After a few moments of nearly rage quitting for the day I decide this time I'm gonna go to the library with a big bag of quarters and a pen and not leave till it's done!

Of course this time I somehow get it first try as I'm also awkwardly trying to cover the parts of the form where my dead name is written to keep it hidden from anyone walking behind me. So $6, 60 pages, an hour and a half, and three trips to the library and back later I finally have the correctly filled out form in hand ready to get the last page notarized and send it off. I call my local UPS store to ask about notary and... Their notary closed 10 minutes ago so now I have to wait until tomorrow. 😭

Not only that but I'm not sure how this is going to go because my driver's license is updated already but the part I need notarized is a sworn statement that needs to be done using my dead name since that's the name on the birth certificate currently and the notary agent needs to verify my identity. My plan is to bring my old voided licence, the name change order, my current birth certificate, and my new valid licence with me as proof that the name I need to sign is also me even though my current valid licence doesn't say that name. Wish me luck.