Recording or recognising a change of sex
The ACT Government has removed fees for people seeking to update their registered sex including sex assigned at birth, making it easier to access identity documents that reflect who they are.
There are 2 ways to record a change of sex:
- People born in the ACT can change the record of sex on the birth register.
- People born outside of the ACT can change how their sex is recognised.
When you change your sex, you will be issued with either:
- a new birth certificate if you were born in the ACT
- a recognised details certificate if you were born outside of the ACT.
Access Canberra accepts a wide range of sex descriptors so your record can reflect your identity. You can choose whether your new birth certificate shows:
- your sex before, or both before and after the change
- your sex after the change only; or
- no sex identifier.
Read about birth certificates.
Apply as an adult
If you are an adult (18 years or above) you can apply to change your own sex, you can:
Or complete:
- an Application to alter birth register to record a change of sex (PDF 319.6 KB) (DOCX 229.6 KB), If you were born in the ACT complete, or
- an Application for recognised details (PDF 305.5 KB)(DOCX 94.6 KB), if you were born outside of the ACT complete.
Submit your application by:
- email to bdm@act.gov.au
- post to GPO Box 158, Canberra City ACT 2601
- in person at an Access Canberra Service Centre.
What you'll need
You need to provide:
- Your proof of identity
- Proof of your ACT residency if born outside ACT
Change sex and name
Looking to change your sex and name at the same time?
Apply for your child
If you are a parent, guardian or person with parental responsibility for a child, you can apply to change the sex of your child.
All the following must apply:
- Your child's birth is registered in the ACT or if born outside of the ACT you can provide their birth certificate.
- You believe on reasonable grounds that the change is in your child's best interests.
One parent may make the application if:
- only one parent is named in the child's birth registration
- the other parent is deceased. You will need to provide a copy of the death certificate.
How to apply
To apply, you can:
Or complete:
- an Application to alter birth register to record a change of sex (PDF 319.6 KB) (DOCX 229.6 KB), If the child was born in the ACT complete , or,
- an Application for recognised details certificate (PDF 305.5 KB) (DOCX 94.6 KB), If the child was born outside of the ACT.
Submit your application by:
- email to bdm@act.gov.au
- post to GPO Box 158, Canberra City ACT 2601
- in person at an Access Canberra Service Centre.
What you'll need
You need to provide:
- Your proof of identity
- Proof of your ACT residency if the child was born outside ACT
Change sex and name
Looking to change your child's sex and name at the same time?
Apply as a young person under 18 years old
As a young person under the age of 18, you can apply to change your sex and/or your name registered in the birth register.
Read about changing your name or sex as a young person.