You can apply to have the sex you identify as recognised in Queensland if you are 16 or older, were born outside of Queensland and have lived in here for the past 12 months (and currently live here).
If you are born:
overseas you may also choose to change your first name and middle names at the same time. To change your family name do this before your application changing your recognised sex has been finalised. You will need to complete a change of name application form and pay the additional fee
The application fee includes 1 free recognised details certificate. You have to pay for additional certificates.
A recognised details certificate only provides some information—it does not show change of name details and is not legal proof of a name change.
There are 2 official certificates:
linking recognised details certificate—shows your new sex and name on the front and your previous details on the back (use to update sex on your ID)
recognised details certificate—shows your new sex and name on the front and your and does not show any previous details (may not be suitable for updating sex on ID).
A recognised details certificate is not proof of a name change. If you are born overseas and changing your first name(s), you will need to order a change of name certificate.
Organisations will have different requirements for what proof they need about changes to your details, so you should contact them directly.
If your application is approved, we send you a recognized details certificate that shows the sex you identify as. This becomes your recognised sex under Queensland law.
Documents you will need to provide
If you were born outside of Queensland, you will need to provide:
an 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 if your current recognised sex or name are different to what is shown on your birth certificate, such as
change of name document
recognising sex document.
If any of the original documents are not in English, you must have them translated into English by an accredited translator and provide a certified copy of the original document with the original translation.
Other evidence of birth
If you can’t provide a birth certificate, we may accept one of these (showing your birth name), you must provide either:
a travel document
a passport issued by your country of birth with a letter from the consulate confirming your details
and
a statutory declaration that
explains why your birth certificate isn't available
includes your name at birth
includes your date and place of birth.
Rules for changing your recognised sex
To change your recognised sex in Queensland, you must:
choose first names (if born overseas and applicable) that are not prohibited names
not have changed your recognised sex in Queensland in the past 12 months.
If you are in the custody of Corrective Services or previously convicted of certain types of offences, you must have written approval before applying to us.
Your application will not be approved if:
you are not 16 or older and born overseas or in another state or territory
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 and evidence that you have lived in Queensland for 12 months
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 recognised sex, you need to:
Read and understand the rules above.
Answer the questions—it should take you less than 15 minutes.
Choose how you would like to pay the fee.
Review your details.
Read the email we send you to find out how to finalise your application.
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.
Privacy notice
The Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages is collecting your personal information for the purpose of facilitating your appointment booking online and for contacting you in relation to your appointment. Your personal information will not be used or disclosed for any other purpose unless authorised or required by law. Your personal information will be handled according to with the provisions of the Information Privacy Act 2009.
By phone: local call* 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or international +61 7 3022 6100 (+10 hours UTC)—phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm.
*Costs may be higher from mobile phones and interstate.
Visit the Brisbane registry customer service centre at Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane.
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When completing online, the total cost is calculated as you fill in the application form online.
The fee is for you to submit your application and for us to review it.
You can pay:
online
by credit card (MasterCard or Visa)
at the customer service centre
by EFTPOS or credit card
with a business account cheque
with a bank cheque
with a money order
by post
within Australia
by credit card
with a business account cheque
with a bank cheque
with a money order
from overseas
by credit card.
We will accept cash at the customer service centre but prefer contactless payments such as EFTPOS or credit card.
We do not accept personal cheques or cheques issued from outside Australia (in any currency).
Make Australian-drawn cheques and money orders payable to 'Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages'.
Application fees
You can choose an official certificate to update your identity in the community and order additional certificates (fee payable).
Item
Cost
Change recognised sex—includes 1 official recognised details certificate (non-refundable)
$126.10
Additional official linking recognised details certificate (standard postage included)
$54.40
Additional official recognised details certificate (standard postage included)
$54.40
Postage fees
Standard postage is included in the price when you order a certificate to be sent by mail.
You can choose to have your certificate sent by express or registered post for a fee.
Item
Cost
Express post
$8.55
Registered post
$8.10
International registered mail
$18.55
We value identity protection, so we recommend that you choose registered post. This ensures the delivery of your certificate can be tracked and delivered to you more securely within Australia.
International registered mail is used for overseas deliveries. However, this can’t be tracked and signing on delivery is only available in some countries.
Application fees are non-refundable even if your application is not approved.
You can request a refund for certificate and postage fees if you cancel your application or it is not approved.
When applying by post, you must have your supporting documents certified by a qualified Justice of the Peace or another authorised person before you post them to us.
