Entry #19126: Right to change legal gender in Cuba

Current Version

RegionCuba
IssueRight to change legal gender
StatusLegal, no restrictions
Start DateSep 17, 2026
End Date(none)
DescriptionThe new Civil Registry Law, which will come into effect on September 17, 2026, allows for the legal change of gender on official documents. Article 157 establishes that for adults, the voluntary rectification of the registered sex is carried out directly at the Civil Registry by compiling a file containing a personal request, a report from the multidisciplinary team coordinated by the National Center for Sex Education, and a birth certificate. The law states that "Under no circumstances is this request conditioned on the prior modification of the person's physical appearance or bodily function, nor on a surgical procedure for gender reassignment."

Article 158 addresses the voluntary rectification of the registered sex for those who have already undergone a gender reassignment procedure.

For individuals under 18 years of age, Article 159 establishes that the rectification of the registered sex is processed judicially, with the intervention of the public defender's office and the public prosecutor's office.
SourcesLaw 180/2025 (in Spanish)
https://www.minjus.gob.cu/sites/default/files/archivos/publicacion/2026-03/goc-2026-o26.pdf

https://www.them.us/story/cuba-gender-recognition-surgical-requirement
https://www.brasildefato.com.br/2025/07/24/cuba-aprova-nova-lei-de-identidade-que-permite-mudanca-de-genero-em-documentos/


Revision History (4)

edited by Nathan. adding official source, not yet in effect

Helpful?
0
Old Value New Value (Current)
Start DateJul 18, 2025Sep 17, 2026
DescriptionCuba’s National Assembly of People’s Power (NAPP) approved a law allowing transgender people to self-declare their gender on official documents without first undergoing surgery.

The law will allow citizens to change their gender marker on identification cards by request, and will no longer require applicants to provide a court order or proof of bottom surgery.
The new Civil Registry Law, which will come into effect on September 17, 2026, allows for the legal change of gender on official documents. Article 157 establishes that for adults, the voluntary rectification of the registered sex is carried out directly at the Civil Registry by compiling a file containing a personal request, a report from the multidisciplinary team coordinated by the National Center for Sex Education, and a birth certificate. The law states that "Under no circumstances is this request conditioned on the prior modification of the person's physical appearance or bodily function, nor on a surgical procedure for gender reassignment."

Article 158 addresses the voluntary rectification of the registered sex for those who have already undergone a gender reassignment procedure.

For individuals under 18 years of age, Article 159 establishes that the rectification of the registered sex is processed judicially, with the intervention of the public defender's office and the public prosecutor's office.
Show Difference
Cuba’s National Assembly of People’s Power (NAPP) approved a law allowing transgender people to self-declare their gender on official documents without first undergoing surgery. The law will allow citizens to change their gender marker on identification cards by request, and will no longer require applicants to provide a court order or proof of bottom surgery. The new Civil Registry Law, which will come into effect on September 17, 2026, allows for the legal change of gender on official documents. Article 157 establishes that for adults, the voluntary rectification of the registered sex is carried out directly at the Civil Registry by compiling a file containing a personal request, a report from the multidisciplinary team coordinated by the National Center for Sex Education, and a birth certificate. The law states that "Under no circumstances is this request conditioned on the prior modification of the person's physical appearance or bodily function, nor on a surgical procedure for gender reassignment." Article 158 addresses the voluntary rectification of the registered sex for those who have already undergone a gender reassignment procedure. For individuals under 18 years of age, Article 159 establishes that the rectification of the registered sex is processed judicially, with the intervention of the public defender's office and the public prosecutor's office.
Sourceshttps://www.them.us/story/cuba-gender-recognition-surgical-requirement
https://www.brasildefato.com.br/2025/07/24/cuba-aprova-nova-lei-de-identidade-que-permite-mudanca-de-genero-em-documentos/
Law 180/2025 (in Spanish)
https://www.minjus.gob.cu/sites/default/files/archivos/publicacion/2026-03/goc-2026-o26.pdf

https://www.them.us/story/cuba-gender-recognition-surgical-requirement
https://www.brasildefato.com.br/2025/07/24/cuba-aprova-nova-lei-de-identidade-que-permite-mudanca-de-genero-em-documentos/
Show Difference
https://www.them.us/story/cuba-gender-recognition-surgical-requirement https://www.brasildefato.com.br/2025/07/24/cuba-aprova-nova-lei-de-identidade-que-permite-mudanca-de-genero-em-documentos/ Law 180/2025 (in Spanish) https://www.minjus.gob.cu/sites/default/files/archivos/publicacion/2026-03/goc-2026-o26.pdf https://www.them.us/story/cuba-gender-recognition-surgical-requirement https://www.brasildefato.com.br/2025/07/24/cuba-aprova-nova-lei-de-identidade-que-permite-mudanca-de-genero-em-documentos/

edited by Raven_cake. Removing the end date because the law is in force

Helpful?
0
Old Value New Value
End DateJul 18, 2025(none)

edited by Pamela . Because I'm not understanding the "las ended" camp.

Helpful?
0
Old Value (Original) New Value
End Date2025Jul 18, 2025

created by Pamela

Helpful?
0
Original entry
StatusLegal, no restrictions
Start DateJul 18, 2025
End Date2025
DescriptionCuba’s National Assembly of People’s Power (NAPP) approved a law allowing transgender people to self-declare their gender on official documents without first undergoing surgery. The law will allow citizens to change their gender marker on identification cards by request, and will no longer require applicants to provide a court order or proof of bottom surgery.
Sourceshttps://www.them.us/story/cuba-gender-recognition-surgical-requirement https://www.brasildefato.com.br/2025/07/24/cuba-aprova-nova-lei-de-identidade-que-permite-mudanca-de-genero-em-documentos/