Gender recognition
If you are over 18 years old and have lived in your acquired gender for more than two years, you can apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) to legally recognise your gender. You can also apply if you have changed gender in certain countries outside the UK.
Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC)
An application for a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) is made to the Gender Recognition Panel.
The Panel is made up of legal and medical members who assess whether the legal and medical criteria for legal recognition are met.
In Northern Ireland, you must be over 18 years old and be able to show:
- you have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria
- you’ve lived in your acquired gender in the UK for at least two years
- you will live permanently in your acquired gender
If you are married or in a civil partnership your spouse or civil partner must consent to your proposed application to be recognised in your preferred gender before you can receive a full GRC.
All applicants who are married or in a civil partnership and do not have their spouse or partner’s consent to their application, and wish to end their relationship, can still choose to apply for an interim GRC which they can use to annul or dissolve their existing legal relationship.
Before making your application
Before making an application you should read the general guide for all users on gender recognition. The guidance will give you the information you need to make an informed decision.
Applying for gender recognition may affect your National Insurance, pension and other social security benefits. Find out more:
Making an application
There are different routes to apply for gender recognition in the UK, but if you live in Northern Ireland you must apply by the standard route.
You can download the application form and guidance note at the following links:
| Application route | Form | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Standard route | Form T450 | Leaflet T451 |
The fee is £5.00 for your application. You may be able to get help to pay the fee if you’re on certain benefits or a low income.
Finished application forms, supporting evidence and the fee should be sent to the Gender Recognition Panel.
If you are applying from outside the UK you should use the form and guidance at the following link:
What happens next
If your application is successful, the panel will send you a full or an interim GRC.
If your birth was originally registered in Northern Ireland, the panel will tell the Registrar General for Northern Ireland when they send your Gender Recognition Certificate. The Registrar General will then contact you to arrange re-registration of your birth.
Once agreed, a new registration showing your new name and gender will be created. Also, a replacement birth certificate (both long and short) will be available showing your new name and acquired gender. A short birth certificate will be issued free of charge.
If you were adopted a new extract from the Adopted Children Register will be issued.
If you are unsuccessful, the panel will write to you with their reasons. You have the right to appeal. The panel will explain how.
Contact the Gender Recognition Panel for further help and advice.
Your rights
The Gender Reassignment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 amends the Sex Discrimination Order to make it unlawful to discriminate on grounds of gender reassignment (sex change) in employment and training.
The Sex Discrimination (Amendment of Legislation) Regulations 2008 introduced protection from direct discrimination on grounds of gender reassignment in the provision of goods, facilities, services or premises.