From In re: E.B.M., decided July 26 by Judge David A. Oblon (Va. Cir. Ct. Fairfax County):
The issue before the Court is whether it may seal from public inspection a name change order and related records 21-days after entry of the order. The Court holds it may not do so.
Even if the Court had authority to seal the name change order and related records, the movant in the present case failed to proffer a serious threat to her health or safety to justify sealing the public record.
For both reasons the Court will issue an Order denying the motion to seal….
Over ten months after the Court entered the name change order, on July 12, 2023, E.B.M. filed the present motion, citing no legal authority for the Court to seal the name change Order and related records so long after entry of the Order.
E.B.M. told the Court she wanted to seal the name change Order and related records due to a general fear of harm from transgender community opponents. She cited no current particularized or specific harm towards her arising from the public name change….
