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princecaspian

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I'm applying for a job and the employer requires me to get a police record check. How can I do this without disclosing that I'm trans?

There's a space on the form where I'm supposed to list any previous names I have had. To be honest, I'm thinking of not listing my previous name. I don't have a criminal record under my previous or my current name anyway.

567 day(s) ago

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socrates

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This is a tough issue and it comes up every now and then. I've been through a similar problem myself. I got advice from someone from the police about it, actually. There are a few options but none of them are satisfactory in my opinion. In no particular order:

* You could ask your employer if you can submit the police records check yourself. That way, the results come directly to you. Your employer might wonder why you want to do this though
* You could disclose your previous name and talk to your employer about it
* You could attach a letter in a sealed envelope to your application. In that letter, you would explain that you previously went by a different name and that you wish to keep that name confidential. Then you could ask that any certificate issued mention your current name only. Sign the letter and make sure that signature matches the signature on your form. Your employer might wonder why you're attaching a letter in a sealed envelope though
* While this was not mentioned by the person from the police that I spoke to, it's obviously an option and one you're already considering: you could take the risk and not mention your previous name. I don't know how likely it is that you would get caught for this. You could always try 'playing dumb' if you were caught

Good luck. It's a really stressful situation to be in.

Posted 567 day(s) ago

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wilma
406 day(s) ago
If you were married, you could act a little dumb and mention your previous maiden surname.

So if your previous name was John Smith, and now your Mary Brown. You could put that you were known as "Smith".

When I filled out a centrelink form, it had a spot to complete previous names, one on form I did just this.. and on another i just forgot to enter it on.

 
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Other Answers (2)

Jade 		Hi,

Firstly I am transsexual in the final stage of my transition and I live in NSW. I applied for a Police Check in June of this year. I disclosed my legal name and my former name.

The Police Check came back only in my new name and my understanding is that it covers my former name as well without disclosing it on the Report.

I would assume that this is the same in Victoria.

:-) Jade



Posted 522 day(s) ago

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admin 		As socrates mentioned, this can be a really stressful situation to be in. Are you based in Victoria? If so, the Victoria Police website has a information sheet on its website about getting police record checks. It specifically mentions:

"People in the community that require further information in relation to the policy for processing applications for transgender

Applicants should contact our information line on 1300 881 596."

We also have a specific contact with the Victoria Police who you can speak to about this matter. If you wish, we can pass on this person's details to you via phone or email. Feel free to contact us directly about this (see our contact details at our main website at http://gendercentre.com).

Even if you're not in Victoria, it might be worth phoning the police in your state/territory for advice. If your state/territory has police liaison officers for the queer community, it might even be worth calling them for advice.

Good luck!

Posted 567 day(s) ago

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