Reassignment of sex
If you have undergone sexual reassignment surgery and your birth or adoption was registered in Queensland, you can apply to have your new sex noted on your birth or adoption registration.You must be 18 years or older and not married at the time of your application. In the case of a child, the child's parents, or in certain circumstances one parent or the child's guardian can apply.
How to complete the applicationThe application includes the following:
- application to enter a reassignment of sex in the Birth register or the Adopted Children register
- supporting statutory declarations to be completed by two doctors verifying that the person or child has undergone sexual reassignment surgery. In certain cases, statutory declarations can be replaced by a recognition certificate
- explanatory notes to help you through the process.
The application must be fully completed and lodged with proof of identity, supporting documentation and the required fee.
Proof of identityYou must submit at least three forms of identification with your application. If the application is for a child, you must also provide a document proving the identity of, and the relationship between, the child and the parents or guardians.
If you have been married, a Decree Absolute of divorce or your spouse's death certificate must accompany the application.
We may request other documents to confirm details in the application.
Photocopies of identification documents and other documents must be certified as being a correct copy by a qualified witness. Please ensure the applicant's signature on the application is witnessed.
Change of nameIf you have changed your name or your child's name as part of the reassignment process, the change can also be noted on the birth or adoption registration. If you have not changed your name or your child's name and now wish to do so, contact us for further information. Additional fees apply to these processes.
The fee for recording a reassignment of sex does not include the issuing of a new birth certificate.
We cannot accept faxed copies of applications, statutory declarations, identification or other documents.
Important factsA recognition certificate is a certificate issued under another state's laws that identifies the named person as having undergone sexual reassignment surgery and being the sex stated in the certificate.
A new birth certificate will not include a statement indicating that the sex has been changed. It will however mention that the birth has been re-registered.
Laws restrict the issue of a birth certificate showing that the sex at birth has been changed and only certain people are entitled to obtain one.
For further details please contact the registry. You can also view the relevant forms, fees and processing timeframes and identification requirements.
If you wish to lodge an application in person, please contact the registry to make an appointment with the Team Leader, Registrations on (07) 3247 5816.
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