Gender entry and use of first name; registration and submission of declaration

Persons whose gender identity differs from their gender entry can declare a change of gender entry and first name at the registry office.

For contact details of the responsible authoritiy and local valid information select under "Select location" a location.

Persons whose gender identity differs from the gender entry can submit a declaration to the registry office to change their gender entry and first name.

It is possible to state the gender as "male", "female" or "diverse". However, the gender entry can also be deleted altogether and thus left blank in future.

Responsibility

The application to change the gender entry can be made at any German registry office. Please note that the declaration to change the gender entry can only be submitted to this registry office.

Registration at the registry office
The change of gender entry and first names must be registered verbally or in writing at the registry office where the declaration is to be made three months before the declaration is made. The declaration can only be made after this period has expired.

You are of legal age.
As soon as you are 18 years old, you can make the declaration yourself.

For young people over the age of 14:
Young people over the age of 14 can make the declaration themselves, but they need the consent of their legal representatives. They must also confirm that they have received counseling. Counseling can be provided in particular by persons with professional qualifications in psychology, child and adolescent psychotherapy or child and adolescent psychiatry, or by a public or independent child and youth welfare organization.

For children under the age of 14:
For children under the age of 14, the legal representatives must submit the declaration. If the child is already 5 years old, they must give their consent. The legal representatives must also confirm that they have received counselling - the same professionals or organizations can also carry out the counselling here.

Determining the first names
The first names you wish to use in the future must also be determined with the declaration. The first names must correspond to the chosen gender entry. If the previous first name corresponds to the new gender entry, this can be determined again.

Please note:

You can only change your first name if you also change your gender entry. It is not possible to change your first name separately.
Renewed change of gender entry: A new declaration can only be made after one year has passed since the last declaration of change.
Necessary documents: The registry office where you wish to make your declaration will be happy to inform you of all the documents you need to submit.

You will need the following documents to change the gender entry:
- Passport or identity card of the person making the declaration.
- Your birth certificate*.
  If you were born abroad, an official translation is required.
- If you are married or in a registered civil partnership, your marriage or civil partnership certificate* is also required.
  If the marriage or civil partnership was concluded abroad, an official translation is also required here.
- If you do not speak German well, we ask you to bring an interpreter to the registry office at your own expense.
* If your birth, marriage or civil partnership took place in Germany, the registry office may be able to obtain the required document itself.

Register the change of gender entry and first names verbally or in writing at a registry office.
After a period of 3 months, you can then submit the declaration for the change of your gender entry and first name at this registry office. To do this, make an appointment at the registry office.
The registry office will change your data and inform the residents' registration office of the changes. If necessary, the declaration must first be forwarded to the registry office that is responsible for accepting the declaration (e.g. the registry office that recorded the birth).

Declaration of change of gender: EUR 30.00
Determination of first names: EUR 30.00
Certificate of name and gender entry: EUR 12.00

If you wish to change your gender entry and first name, please notify the registry office three months in advance.
After you have declared a change of gender, you can make another change after one year at the earliest. In this case, you must also register your wish to change at the registry office again and submit a declaration after a waiting period of three months.