If they were born or adopted in Queensland

You can apply to change your child’s record of sex if they are under 16 and were born or adopted in Queensland.

You may also choose to change your child’s first names at the same time.

If your application is approved, we update your child's birth record with their new sex and first names (if changed). Your child’s identified sex then becomes their sex under Queensland law.

To change your child’s family name do this after the application changing their record of sex has been finalised. You will need to complete a change of name application and pay an additional fee.

If your child was born or adopted outside of Queensland, you can apply to have their sex recognised.

Certificate options

The application fee does not include a new birth certificate. You have to pay for one.

There are 3 official birth certificates:

• linking birth certificate—shows your child’s new sex and name on the front and their previous details on the back (use to update their ID)
• birth certificate (with sex)—shows your child’s new sex and name and does not show any previous details (use after their ID is updated)
• birth certificate (without sex)—shows your child’s new first names and does not show any previous details (cannot be used to prove their sex).

The linking birth certificate shows their record of sex and first names when changed. The other certificates will show that your child’s birth has been re-registered but keeps the details of the changes private.

Documents you will need to provide

If your child was born or adopted in Queensland, you will need to provide:

• certified proof of ID for both registered parents (read the rules below if you are a single parent or person with parental responsibility)
• an assessment from an authorised specialist that is a developmentally informed practitioner
• evidence explaining the reason if your or your child’s current name or sex is different to the details on their birth certificate, such as
  • marriage certificate
  • change of name document
  • change of sex document.

If only one of the parents shown on your child’s birth certificate is applying, you will need additional evidence to support this, such as a court order or death certificate.

Rules for changing your child’s record of sex

To change your child’s record of sex on their Queensland birth certificate, you must:

• not have changed your child’s record of sex in Queensland in the past 12 months
• be a registered parent of the child, or been given legal parental responsibility for the child
• have consent from the other registered parent or other person with parental responsibility
• have your child consent (they must also sign if aged 12 to 15)
• choose a sex descriptor that is not a prohibited sex descriptor
• choose a name that is not a prohibited name—if you decided to also change their first names.

Your application will not be approved if:

• you have not provided enough documentation to establish your identity
• the change of sex appears to be for a fraudulent or other improper purpose
• either the sex descriptor or first name chosen are prohibited.

The fee covers the cost for us to review your application and is non-refundable even if it is not approved. You may want to read our refund policy.

Who can apply

If both parents are shown on a child’s birth certificate, both parents need to consent to changing their child’s sex and name.

If you are a single parent, you can apply to change your child’s sex and name if one of the following applies:

• you are the only parent shown on your child’s birth certificate
• one parent is deceased a death certificate is required.

A person with sole parental responsibility under a Family Court order can apply—parenting order must be provided.

If you are a legal guardian (you have been appointed under a child protection order in Queensland or another state, or under the will of the child's last surviving parent), you can apply—child protection order or legal will appointing guardianship must be provided.

A child that is 12 years old (and less than 16) may apply to the Childrens Court if each parent of the child or person(s) with parental responsibility for the child does not support a change to the child’s sex.

One parent or guardian may apply to the Childrens Court for the child if the other parent or guardian does not consent.

Learn more about the requirements for who can apply.

How to apply

To apply to change your child's record of sex on their Queensland birth certificate, you need to:

1. Read and understand the rules above.
2. Answer the questions—it should take you less than 15 minutes.
3. Choose how you would like to pay the fee.
4. Review your details.
5. Read the email we send you to find out how to finalise your application.
6. Have your proof of ID and supporting documents certified by a Justice of the Peace or another authorised person.
7. Submit your signed application form, with the supporting documents and payment (if you chose not to pay online) to us
   1. by post
   2. in person by requesting an appointment at the Brisbane registry customer service centre.

Fill in the change of your child's record of sex application form

Submit by post

Post your completed application form with your certified supporting documents and payment (if you didn't pay online) to:

Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
PO Box 15188
CITY EAST  QLD  4002

Submit in person by requesting an appointment

To submit your completed application form in person, you need to book a 15-minute appointment with a registry officer.

This online service allows you to choose the date and time of your appointment at the Brisbane registry customer service centre at Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane.

To book your appointment, you will be asked for your name, email and mobile number, and you will get an email confirming your appointment. The email will also allow you to easily reschedule or cancel your booking, if necessary.