Applying for Gender Recognition

Transsexuals can now get a birth certificate showing their true gender.

The Gender Recognition Act 2004 allows transsexual people to apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate. The GR certificate enables you to have a new birth certificate issued showing your true gender (also referred to as ‘acquired gender’) rather than your gender as assigned at birth.

For you to be eligible to apply you must

• Intend to live in your true gender permanently
• Be 18 years old or over
• Have been diagnosed as gender dysphoric by a gender specialist, though there is no requirement for you to have undergone gender confirmation surgery (also referred to as ‘gender reassignment surgery’)
• Have permanently lived in your true gender for at least two years (this period is also referred to as ‘Real Life Experience’ or RLE)