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Recording or recognising a change of sex

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.
  • A person 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.

You can choose whether your birth certificate shows:

  • your sex before, or both before and after the change
  • your sex after the change only
  • 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.

  1. If you were born in the ACT complete an Application to alter birth register to record a change of sex (PDF 251KB) (DOCX 163KB) or if you were born outside of the ACT complete Application for recognised details (PDF 283KB) (DOCX 95KB)
  2. Provide your proof of identity
  3. Provide proof of your ACT residency if born outside ACT
  4. Submit your application by:

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.

To apply:

  1. If the child was born in the ACT complete an Application to alter birth register to record a change of sex (PDF 251KB) (DOCX 163KB). If the child was born outside of the ACT complete Application for recognised details for a young person (PDF 362KB) (DOCX 135KB)
  2. Provide your proof of identity
  3. Provide proof of your ACT residency if the child was born outside ACT
  4. Submit your application by:

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.

For information about a fee waiver, email bdm@act.gov.au or call Access Canberra on 13 22 81.

Fee waivers will be assessed against the Birth, Deaths and Marriages Financial Hardship Fee Waiver Policy [PDF 380kB].