If you were born outside of Queensland

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
• in another state or territory you need to apply to the interstate registry office for a change of name.

If you were born or adopted in Queensland, you can apply to change the sex recorded on your birth certificate.

Certificate options

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 recognised 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:

• certified proof of ID
• a certified copy of your birth certificate—if you can’t get one, we may accept other evidence of your birth (more about this below)
• evidence that you currently live and have lived in Queensland for 12 months before your application (or more)
• 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 a sex descriptor that is not a prohibited sex descriptor
• 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:

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 recognised 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.