How to change your gender status on formal documents in Victoria

What is this resource?

This resource is for trans and gender diverse young people and their families in Victoria. 

This fact sheet answers some common questions trans and gender diverse young people, and their families, have about self-identification on formal documents.

Choices around self-identification should be respected. By reading this resource you will get a better understanding of the options in Victoria.

It includes:

• changing your birth certificate
• changing your passport, Centrelink and Medicare records
• changing your driver’s licence

Can you change your gender status on formal documents?

In most formal documents, yes. However different documents have different requirements and different gender identity options.

Unfortunately some trans and gender diverse people may have limited ability to change their gender status on some formal documents.

What steps are involved with making a change?

The steps for applying to change your gender status on formal documents differs depending on whether the document you would like to change is issued by:

1. a state or territory government organisation
   
   OR
   
2. a federal government organisation

See how you can change key documents below

How to change the gender on your birth certificate

Birth certificates are issued and regulated at a state and territory level. This means that the approach to changing your birth certificate to match your gender identity will be different depending on which state or territory your certificate was issued in. In Victoria, this is managed by Births Deaths and Marriages Victoria.

The requirements for changing the ‘record of sex’ on your birth certificate differ depending on whether you are over or under the age of 18 years. 

There is no longer any requirement for a person to have had gender affirming surgery in order to change their record of sex in Victoria. 

How can you apply?

You can apply by post or in person by:

• Filling out the required form, currently on the Registry website as ‘Application form – Change record of sex‘. Make sure that you are using the correct form, as there are different forms for adults and children.
• Attaching the relevant documentation, including statutory declarations and identity documents.
• Paying the required fees. Check current fees on Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria’s Fees page. If you submit a change of record of sex application together with a change of name application, you will be eligible for a waiver of the change of name application fee. Check the Financial hardship and fee waiver page to see if you don’t need to pay fees in circumstances where you’re experiencing financial hardship, have been affected by a disaster, have an identified community need, or where the fee exceeds reasonable cost recovery.

See ‘Where to get help and information’ for more details.

Will every application and outcome be the same?

No. The different departments may have different application forms and therefore varied outcomes around changing your gender identification.

What’s an example?

The Department of Human Services can update your gender as male or female, but if you identify as non-binary, they can only add a note on your personal record. You can also tell them you prefer not to use a courtesy title such as Miss, Mr or Ms.

Whereas…

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade provides for the recognition of your gender as M (male), F (female), or X (indeterminate/intersex/unspecified) on your passport. However, the Department notes that those travelling with a passport showing ‘X’ may encounter difficulties when crossing borders due to its infrequent use. In more conservative countries or areas you may become the focus of unwanted attention.

How to change the gender on your driver’s licence

The steps involved with changing your driver’s licence will vary depending on the state or territory that you live in.

What you need to do in Victoria

In Victoria, you will need to visit a VicRoads customer service centre and provide one of the following documents:

• A gender recognition certificate.
• A revised birth certificate.
• An ‘alteration of sex in birth or recognised details’ certificate or equivalent. 
• A passport with your preferred gender (your passport must not be expired by more than two years).
• A letter from a medical practitioner or psychologist certifying you are or have been their patient and are or have been receiving appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition (the treatment does not have to be specified).
• A letter from a medical practitioner or psychologist certifying you are or have been their patient and are of indeterminate, intersex or unspecified sex and live in the male, female, indeterminate, intersex or unspecified gender.

You are also able to request to change your title to:

• Mr
• Ms
• Mrs
• Mx (gender neutral and may be used by any person)

Where to get help and more information

• The Australian Government Guidelines on the Recognition of Sex and Gender.
• The Department of Justice provides guidance on what constitutes a statutory declaration in NSW.
• The Department of Foreign Affairs offers travel advice for LGBTI travellers on its Smart Traveller website.
• For more information on changing your gender on your driver’s licence, visit VicRoads.
• Parents of Gender Diverse Children provides peer support nationally to parents and those parenting trans and gender diverse children.
• Transgender Victoria educates organisations and workplaces on how to provide better services for trans and gender diverse people, and seeks ways to provide direct services to the trans community.
• Drummond Street Services provides social support, counselling, and other community services for LGBTIQ people.
• Switchboard Victoria is a peer-led confidential counselling and support service for LGBTIQ people in Victoria.