For nearly four decades, Sandra Wardlow has answered to a name she’s never legally owned. Born at Jefferson Hospital in Houston on November 11, 1985, her birth certificate still lists her as “Girl”—a placeholder given when her mother failed to name her before tragically passing away just nine months later.
Now, at 39, Wardlow is fighting an uphill battle to claim something most people take for granted: her own name.
“I’ve been in this world for almost 40 years, and I don’t have a name,” Wardlow told Fox 26 Houston. “For someone to tell you that you don’t exist, or that you have to prove your citizenship to some places—and you literally cannot—it’s incredibly frustrating.”
A Bureaucratic Nightmare Without a Legal Name
Despite having a driver’s license under the name Sandra Wardlow, the name she’s used all her life, official documents still tie her to “Girl.” That mismatch has caused persistent problems—particularly when trying to access government benefits.
Wardlow says her application for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits was recently denied because her name and Social Security number didn’t match.
“They’ve now sent me a paper stating my name and Social don’t match,” she explained. “How can I bring them something that I never had?”
She’s also been unable to obtain a Social Security card in the name “Girl,” since the Social Security Administration requires a valid name that conforms to identity standards.
“Even if I wanted to leave it as ‘Girl,’ they will not give me a Social Security card that says ‘Girl,’” Wardlow said.
A Lifetime Without Legal Recognition
Wardlow was raised by her mother’s first cousin but never went through the legal process of changing her name during childhood. Over time, what began as a temporary omission has turned into a long-term legal and emotional struggle.
And the consequences go beyond missed benefits. Wardlow says her inability to prove her legal identity kept her from joining her family on a long-awaited cruise.
Yet her primary concern is more existential than recreational.
“It’s been real trouble. If I get one place to do one thing, they won’t do it until another place does this or that. It’s frustrating,” she said.
How to Change a Name Legally in Texas
Wardlow’s journey underscores the complexity of legal name changes for people born without a registered name. In Texas, correcting a birth certificate or changing your legal name involves court petitions, identity verification, and—often—legal assistance.
Here’s What You Can Do:
- To correct a birth certificate, individuals must complete a Texas Birth Certificate Correction Application.
- To legally change a name, a person must file a petition with their local district court—in Wardlow’s case, Harris County.
- A court order is usually required to submit changes to agencies like the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Social Security Administration.
Without a legal name, many basic rights—including voting, working legally, receiving benefits, and traveling—are put at risk.
The Fight for Recognition
Wardlow hopes her story raises awareness about a hidden population—people whose legal identities were never fully documented, whether through oversight, systemic failures, or family trauma.
Her battle isn’t just about getting a name on paper—it’s about being recognized as a full citizen.
“I just want to be who I’ve always been: Sandra,” she said. “I shouldn’t have to fight this hard just to exist.”
Need to change your name in Texas? Visit dshs.texas.gov or contact the Harris County District Clerk’s office for name change petitions.
