Declare change of gender entry and first names

The procedure for changing the gender entry and first names is multi-stage.

• You register the submission of the declaration of change of gender entry and first names at a German registry office of your choice, either informally or in writing. In some cases, online registration is also possible. To simplify the procedure, it is recommended that you register and submit the declaration at the registry office that is responsible for receiving the declaration.
• You make an appointment to submit the declaration at the same registry office.
• You submit the declaration of the chosen or to be cancelled gender entry and the first names to be determined with the required documents.
• On request, the registry office can issue you with a certificate of receipt of the declaration.

Further process steps:

• The registry office will check your declaration details.
• The registry office forwards your declaration to the registry office keeping the civil status register, unless it is responsible for the registration itself.
• The competent registry office enters the details of the gender entry and first name in the civil status register.
• If there is no German birth, marriage or civil partnership register entry, the declaration is entered in a register.
• The change to the gender entry and first names becomes effective upon entry in the register. If there is no entry in the register, the change becomes effective upon receipt of the declaration by the registry office responsible for receiving it.
• You can arrange with the registry office to be notified as soon as your chosen gender and first name details have been entered.

Registry office

• You have German citizenship or
• You have a foreign nationality and
  • Your habitual residence is in Germany and
  • You have declared and notarised your choice regarding the application of German law and
  • You are in possession of
    • an EU Blue Card (Blue Card EU) or
    • a permanent right of residence (settlement permit) or
    • a renewable residence permit and are legally resident in Germany.

When registering the declaration you need:

• Identity card or passport (original or copy)

When submitting the declaration, you need:

• Identity card or passport, passport for non-EU nationals (original)
• if you do not have German citizenship, you will need
  • a publicly notarised declaration on the choice of application of German law, which you can have notarised at any registry office - also when submitting your declaration on the change of gender entry - and additionally either
    • an unlimited right of residence (settlement permit) or
    • a renewable residence permit with legal residence in Germany or
    • an EU Blue Card (Blue Card EU)
• if born in Germany: birth certificate or certified extract from the register of births
• For births abroad: officially certified translation of the birth certificate
• Marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate, if applicable
• for divorced persons: Printout from the marriage or civil partnership register with annotation of dissolution

• § Section 1 (3) and Sections 2-4 of the Act on Self-Determination with regard to Gender Registration and on the Amendment of Further Provisions (SBGG)
• § Section 45b of the Civil Status Act (PStG)

• If you would like to take action against a negative decision by the registry office, you have the option of filing an application with the local court with the aim of instructing the registry office.
• You can then lodge an appeal with a higher regional court against a rejection of your application by the local court and, if necessary, a legal complaint with the Federal Court of Justice after authorisation by the higher regional court.

The following information is available:

• Once the change has been entered in the registers, the passport or ID card becomes invalid. As part of the general obligation to hold a valid identity card, you must therefore apply for a new identity card or passport.
• It is not possible to change the first name without changing the gender entry according to this procedure.
• The change of gender entry and first names only takes effect in German civil status law. The following are possible:
  • Entries in the birth register
  • Entries in the marriage register or civil partnership register or
  • Inclusion of the declaration received in an official register
• Documents or register entries issued by foreign authorities cannot be changed by German registry offices.
• If necessary, you can involve an interpreter in the proceedings at your own expense.
• If you usually reside abroad and have German citizenship, proceed as follows:
  • You can register the submission of a declaration informally in writing or partially online at a German registry office, preferably at the registry office keeping the register or the competent registry office.
  • You will receive confirmation of your registration in writing or by e-mail.
  • You can have your declaration officially notarised at a German embassy, consulate or honorary consul and send it to the registry office responsible for entering the change in the register or issuing the certificate of submission of the declaration.

• Declaration of change of gender entry and first names Acceptance
• Gender entry and first names, which are decisive for civil status law, can be changed if they do not correspond to gender identity
• Self-disclosure is sufficient
• Information on gender:
  • Gender entry "female"
  • Gender entry "male"
  • Gender entry "diverse"
  • no gender entry
• Details of first names:
  • can be changed, deleted or added according to the selected gender entry.
  • If the gender entry is "male", male first names or first names that can be assigned to both genders can be selected
  • If the gender entry is "female", female first names or first names that can be assigned to both genders can be chosen
  • With the gender entry "diverse" or deletion of the gender entry, the choice of first name is free
  • Previously used first names can be retained if they correspond to the chosen gender entry
• The declaring person confirms with the declaration:
  • the chosen gender entry or its deletion corresponds best to their gender identity
  • it is aware of the scope of the consequences of the declaration
• Registration can be made informally at any registry office in Germany, either verbally, in writing or, in some cases, online,
• Registration and submission of the declaration must be made at the same registry office; to simplify the procedure, it is recommended that the registration and declaration be made at the registry office that is responsible for receiving the declaration
• Declaration can be made orally for the record at the earliest 3 and at the latest 6 months after registration
• Declarations can only be made by the person making the declaration, representation is not possible.
• German nationals with habitual residence abroad:
  • must register with a German civil registry office, preferably the civil status register (birth, marriage or civil partnership register),
  • Declarations can be notarised by the German embassy or German consulate or honorary consul abroad
• Minors with limited legal capacity from the age of 14:
  • make their own declaration
  • additionally assure that they have been advised, i.e. fully informed, proof not required
  • their legal representatives, i.e. the custodial parents or a guardian, have given their consent; consent can also be replaced by the family court
• minors with limited legal capacity up to the age of 14 or minors with no legal capacity:
  • Only legal representatives can make a declaration
  • A family court must authorise the submission of the declaration by a guardian
  • Representatives additionally declare that they have been advised, i.e. fully informed, proof not required
  • Declaration requires additional consent from the child if they are at least 5 years old
  • the minors concerned must be present when the declaration is made
• legally incapacitated adults for whom legal guardianship has been appointed in this matter:
  • Declaration can be made by the carer
  • this requires the authorisation of the guardianship court
• Adults with legal capacity make the declaration themselves, even if they are under legal guardianship, unless there is an order to withhold consent for this matter
• required documents:
  • during registration:
    • Identity card or passport (original or copy)
  • when submitting the declaration:
    • Identity card or passport or passport for non-EU nationals
    • Persons without German citizenship:
      • a publicly notarised declaration on the choice of application of German law, which can be notarised by any German registry office - even when the declaration is submitted, and
      • Proof of a permanent right of residence (settlement permit) or
      • a renewable residence permit with legal residence in Germany or
      • an EU Blue Card (Blue Card EU)
    • if born in Germany: birth certificate or certified extract from the register of births
    • For births abroad: officially certified translation of the birth certificate
    • Marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate, if applicable
    • for divorced persons: Printout from the marriage or civil partnership register with notice of dissolution
• Prerequisites:
  • person has German citizenship or
  • Person has foreign nationality and
    • has her habitual residence in Germany and
    • has declared and notarised the choice of application of German law and
    • is in possession of
      • an EU Blue Card (Blue Card EU) or
      • a permanent right of residence (settlement permit) or
      • a renewable residence permit and is legally resident in Germany
• Deadlines:
  • The declaration must be submitted no earlier than 3 and no later than 6 months after registration. Registration lapses if no declaration is submitted within this period
  • A new change of gender entry and first names is possible at the earliest 12 months after the last declaration
• Notes and special features:
  • Once the change has been entered in the registers, the passport or identity card becomes invalid. As part of the general obligation to hold a valid identity card, a new identity card or passport must therefore be applied for
  • Changing the first name without changing the gender entry is not possible via this procedure
  • Changes to the gender entry and first names only have direct effect in German civil status law; entries are possible in:
    • Birth register;
    • Marriage register or civil partnership register,
    • Register of declarations received, which is kept if there is no German civil status register entry
  • Documents or register entries issued by foreign authorities cannot be changed by German registry offices
• responsible:
  • for registration: any German registry office, preferably at the registry office responsible for receiving the declaration to facilitate the procedure
  • for the submission of the declaration: the registry office where the registration was made
  • for entry in the register (acceptance): the registry office maintaining the civil status register
  • if the birth was not notarised in a German birth register, the following order of responsibility applies:
    • Registry office where the marriage register or civil partnership register is kept
    • Registry office at the current place of residence or habitual abode
    • Registry office I in Berlin
  • If the declaration is submitted to another registry office, the declaration is forwarded to the responsible registry office

• Information on the law on self-determination with regard to gender entry (SBGG) on the website of the BMFSFJ
• Frequently asked questions about the law on self-determination with regard to gender entry (SBGG) on the BMFSFJ website

Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ)

• Declaring changes to the gender entry and first names in Hesse

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