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Do you feel uncomfortable in the gender assigned to you at birth? If so, you might want a Gender Recognition Certificate. It’s a certificate that legally changes your gender and, once you have one, you’ll get a new birth certificate!
This guide will talk you through Gender Recognition Certificates. I’ll explain what they are and talk you through how to get one. I will warn you before we begin – the process of applying is a bit complicated, so bear with me. I’ll try make it as simple as possible, I promise!
They’re basically a certificate that, as the name suggests, recognises your acquired gender. You’ll get all the rights and responsibilities of your acquired gender, and a new birth certificate to boot.
Gender Recognition Certificates affect:
If that sounds good, then why not get started? You need to apply to the Gender Recognition Panel. Before you do, you’ll need to know about the different ‘routes’ of application.
When you apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate you’ve got to go down one of three routes: standard, alternative, or overseas. Your route depends your circumstances – the table below should help guide you down the right one:
Each route has different requirements. You’ll need to supply proof and medical documents – I’ll explain what I mean by these later on. For now, the documentation you’ll need for the different routes are below:
You’ll need to fill in form T450, which you can find here. You’ll also need to provide the following documents:
You’ll need to fill in form T464, which you can find here, and you’ll need to provide the following supporting documents:
You’ll need to fill in form T453, found here. You’ll also need to provide the following documents:
If you were married or in a civil partnership in the past (but aren’t anymore) you need to provide:
What you need to do depends on where your marriage was registered and whether you’re married or in a civil partnership.
Whichever route you’re on, you’ll need to post your T Form, all your supporting documents, and a £5 application fee to:
Gender Recognition Panel
PO Box 9300
Leicester
LE1 8DJ
Still with me? Good. It’s a bit of a faff, isn’t it? Not much more to get through now, though. I’ll just explain what’s meant by proof and medical reports.
Any documentation showing that you’ve been living as your acquired gender. This could be your:
Obviously, they’ll need to be in your new name (and gender if possible). Remember that you need to have been living as your acquired gender for at least 2 years, so your earliest dated document will need to be at least 2 years old (it’ll be have to be even earlier if you’re an alternative router).
Two years is quite a long time – if you want to get the ball rolling and start the clock ticking, one of the easiest ways to do so is by changing your name. Fortunately for you, I’ve written a useful little guide. Once you’ve done so, if you let the relevant authorities know, they’ll change your records and all future correspondence with them will be in your new name. This correspondence counts as proof!
To prove you’re committed, you’ve got to provide a report detailing any treatments or surgeries you’ve had to change your sexual characteristics. You need an original report from a qualified medical professional, for example a:
If you haven’t got a report, no problem – you can just ask your GP or surgeon to fill one in for you. If you haven’t had any treatment or surgery, you’ll need to send a report detailing any planned treatment or surgery.
Standard routers, you’ll also need a report with details of your gender dysphoria diagnosis. Only certain professionals can provide these reports – here’s a handy list for you.
Gather all the documents you need – your T Form, your proof, your medical reports and any of the other documents that apply, and send them off! And now you play the waiting game.
You’ll be sent information on:
You’ll be sent information on:
If you’re unsuccessful, don’t be too disappointed. You’ll be told why, so you can always apply again. You might even be able to appeal, if you think you’ve got legal grounds for it. Your decision letter will give you the necessary information on how to appeal, or how to apply again.
Right! That’s everything you need to know. It’s a complicated process, I know, but I hope this guide has helped you understand how to get a Gender Recognition Certificate. If you are applying for one, I wish you all the luck in the world and I hope you’re successful!