The Appellate Term, First Department, overruled a Civil Court judge and granted a transgender woman’s name change request, even though she could not prove she was in the country legally.

“That the Costa Rican born petitioner was unable to provide the court with proof of citizenship and lawful immigration status was not fatal” to the request, the appeals court held in In the Matter of Paulo Cesar Arrieta Salas, for leave to assume the name of Raquel Ramirez, 570303/14.