Entry #63: Right to change legal gender in United Kingdom

Current Version

RegionUnited Kingdom
IssueRight to change legal gender
StatusLegal, but requires medical diagnosis
Start DateApr 4, 2005
End Datenow
DescriptionLegal gender recognition is possible in all four constituent countries of the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) as per the Gender Recognition Act (2004, in effect 2005). Section 1 of the law states that "any person of either gender" who is aged at least 18 can make an application for "a gender recognition certificate" on the basis of— (a) living in the other gender, or (b) having changed gender under the law of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom. These certificates are issued by a Gender Recognition Panel. The law includes the following requirements for obtaining such certificate: (1) a "gender dysphoria" diagnosis, proved through two reports (one by a registered medical practitioner or psychologist specialised in gender dysphoria, and another one made by a registered medical practitioner); (2) having lived in the “acquired gender” for two years before filing the application, proved through different means (such as a statutory declaration or documents where their gender identity is stated -i.e. pay slips, benefit documentation, bank statements, utility bills); (3) a statutory declaration showing intention "to continue to live in the acquired gender until death"; (4) spousal consent, if the applicant is married or in a civil partnership (partner must consent to the marriage or partnership continuing after the issue of the full gender recognition certificate).
Sourceshttps://database.ilga.org/united-kingdom-lgbti http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/7 https://database.ilga.org/api/downloader/download/1/UK%20-%20LEG%20-%20Gender%20Recognition%20Act%20(2004)%20-%20OR-OFF%20(en).pdf


Revision History (2)

Revision by Nathan. Status correction

Old Value New Value (Current)
ValueLegal, no restrictionsLegal, but requires medical diagnosis
DescriptionSurgery is not requiredLegal gender recognition is possible in all four constituent countries of the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) as per the Gender Recognition Act (2004, in effect 2005). Section 1 of the law states that "any person of either gender" who is aged at least 18 can make an application for "a gender recognition certificate" on the basis of— (a) living in the other gender, or (b) having changed gender under the law of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom. These certificates are issued by a Gender Recognition Panel.
The law includes the following requirements for obtaining such certificate: (1) a "gender dysphoria" diagnosis, proved through two reports (one by a registered medical practitioner or psychologist specialised in gender dysphoria, and another one made by a registered medical practitioner); (2) having lived in the “acquired gender” for two years before filing the application, proved through different means (such as a statutory declaration or documents where their gender identity is stated -i.e. pay slips, benefit documentation, bank statements, utility bills); (3) a statutory declaration showing intention "to continue to live in the acquired gender until death"; (4) spousal consent, if the applicant is married or in a civil partnership (partner must consent to the marriage or partnership continuing after the issue of the full gender recognition certificate).
Show Difference
Surgery is not required Legal gender recognition is possible in all four constituent countries of the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) as per the Gender Recognition Act (2004, in effect 2005). Section 1 of the law states that "any person of either gender" who is aged at least 18 can make an application for "a gender recognition certificate" on the basis of— (a) living in the other gender, or (b) having changed gender under the law of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom. These certificates are issued by a Gender Recognition Panel. The law includes the following requirements for obtaining such certificate: (1) a "gender dysphoria" diagnosis, proved through two reports (one by a registered medical practitioner or psychologist specialised in gender dysphoria, and another one made by a registered medical practitioner); (2) having lived in the “acquired gender” for two years before filing the application, proved through different means (such as a statutory declaration or documents where their gender identity is stated -i.e. pay slips, benefit documentation, bank statements, utility bills); (3) a statutory declaration showing intention "to continue to live in the acquired gender until death"; (4) spousal consent, if the applicant is married or in a civil partnership (partner must consent to the marriage or partnership continuing after the issue of the full gender recognition certificate).
Sourceshttp://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/7https://database.ilga.org/united-kingdom-lgbti
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/7
https://database.ilga.org/api/downloader/download/1/UK%20-%20LEG%20-%20Gender%20Recognition%20Act%20(2004)%20-%20OR-OFF%20(en).pdf
Show Difference
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/7 https://database.ilga.org/united-kingdom-lgbti http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/7 https://database.ilga.org/api/downloader/download/1/UK%20-%20LEG%20-%20Gender%20Recognition%20Act%20(2004)%20-%20OR-OFF%20(en).pdf

Revision by vviet93

Old Value (Original) New Value
ValueLegal, but requires surgeryLegal, no restrictions
DescriptionSurgery is not required
Show Difference
Surgery is not required
Reports (5)
  • Date is incorrect "rubbish impracticsl and impossible im gonna kms btw bye its actually unrelateda and im not honna kms im just hsving a very very bad time and k was kn yhis website and im far yoo drunk and. yesh. im ok ill be kkay in the morning. please dont track me "
  • Status is not correct "Youu aree forced to undergo medical screening andd takes up to 5 years many people cannot gett healthcare as well"
  • Other "its complicated they make you justify why you don't want surgery and you are significantly less likely to be able to change your gender marker if you say that you dont want all the surgeries available at least on nhs many people feel forced to lie"
  • Other "Legally speaking you don't have to have had surgery. But realistically speaking, as you have to send off a mountain of evidence that you are the gender you say you are. There is no way that the weird panel of cis people you never meet will issue a Gender recognition certificate to anyone that hasn't had surgery."
  • Status is not correct "You can say whatever you are, doesn't make it correct. feelings are in consideration when dealing with facts of biology. social constructs aren't real and just an excuse"

chris created this entry.