If you were born or adopted in Queensland

You can apply to change the sex recorded on your Queensland birth certificate if you are 16 or older.

You may also choose to change your first name and middle names at the same time.

If your application is approved, we update the sex and first names (if changed) on your birth record. Your identified sex then becomes your sex under Queensland law.

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

If you were born or adopted outside of Queensland, you can apply to have your sex recognised on a recognised details certificate.

Certificate options

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

There are 3 official birth certificates:

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

The linking birth certificate shows your previous record of sex and first names when changed. The other certificates will show that your birth was re-registered but keeps the details of the changes private.

Documents you will need to provide

When you submit your application to us, you will need to provide:

• certified proof of ID
• another adult (18 or older) who has known you for 12 months or more will need to complete part of your application form, confirming that they
  • believe that you are making the application honestly and in good faith
  • support your application
• evidence showing why your current sex or name on your ID are different to what is shown on your birth certificate, such as
  • change of name document
  • change of record of sex document.

Rules for changing your sex

To change your record of sex on your Queensland birth certificate, you must:

• choose a sex descriptor that is not a prohibited sex descriptor
• choose first names (if applicable) that are not prohibited names
• not have changed your sex in Queensland in the past 12 months.

If you are in the custody of Corrective Services, a released prisoner under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003, or a reportable offender under the Child Protection (Offender Reporting and Offender Prohibition Order) Act 2004, you must have written approval before applying to us.

Your application will not be approved if:

• you are not 16 or older and born in Queensland
• you do not meet the rules for changing your sex
• your application is incomplete, or you are not able to provide all the documents needed
• you have not provided enough documents to prove your identity
• your application appears to be for a fraudulent or other improper purpose.

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.

How to apply

To apply to change your record of sex on your 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 your 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.