Gender & identity

Legal gender recognition

AlsoLGRGRClegal gender changegender marker changegender recognition certificategender markerchanging legal genderlegal sex changename and gender change

Definition

The legal process by which a person's gender is officially recognised and updated on documents such as birth certificates, passports and ID cards.

At a glance

  • Legal gender recognition updates a person's gender on official documents.
  • Rules range from self-declaration to medical evidence, and some countries allow no change.
  • Some countries required sterilisation or divorce in the past.
  • A growing number offer a third option, such as X on passports.
  • Human rights bodies urge quick, transparent processes without abusive requirements.

In detail

Rules vary widely. Some countries allow people to change their legal gender by self-declaration, some require medical evidence or a waiting period, some have required sterilisation or divorce in the past, and some do not allow any change. A growing number also offer a third option such as X on passports.

Having documents that match one's name and gender affects everyday life, from opening a bank account to crossing a border. International human rights bodies have urged states to make recognition quick, transparent and free of abusive requirements.

In a sentence

  • After her legal gender recognition came through, she finally renewed her passport.
  • The new law allows legal gender recognition by self-declaration.

Common questions

Why does legal gender recognition matter?

Documents that do not match a person's name and gender can cause problems in everyday situations, such as opening a bank account, starting a job or crossing a border. Matching documents reduce these difficulties and the risk of being outed.

What does X mean on a passport?

In countries that offer it, X is a gender marker for people who do not identify as female or male, or who prefer not to state it. Availability and rules differ between countries.

Related terms

Sources

  1. UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human RightsSexual orientation and gender identity