How to apply for official documents as a transgender person

Improving equality for LGBTQ+ people, especially trans and non-binary people, is a top priority of the Welsh Government.

The Gender Recognition Act 2004 gives someone of either gender who is aged at least 18 the right to apply for a gender recognition certificate (GRC on the basis of their lived gender.

By law, as a transgender person, you can update your gender and title on most official documents without a GRC.

When applying for a GRC you will need to provide supporting evidence. This evidence can include your driving licence and passport. You may wish to update these documents before you submit your GRC application.

The process for updating a driving license and passport to reflect a transgender persons lived gender is quite straight forward. 

To officially change your name, you will need to obtain a deed poll. This will allow you to change official documents like your passport or driving licence. 

Change your name by deed poll on GOV.UK.

To get an ‘enrolled’ deed poll, you must be 18 and must apply to the Royal Courts of Justice.

‘Enrolling’ a deed poll means that you are putting your new name on public record. You may decide against ‘enrolling’ your deed poll if you prefer not to share your new name publicly.

You are advised to print and retain several original copies of the deed poll. Please see updating other records.

You can apply for your first driving licence, or update or renew an existing driving licence, to reflect your name and gender.

You can also apply by collecting the application form at a Post Office or ordering a form online.

While it is not a formal requirement, you are advised to send a covering letter requesting your gender and name to be updated. You are also advised to do this for other mandatory documents.

Statutory declaration

A statutory declaration is a formal statement made affirming that something is true to the best knowledge and belief of the person making the declaration. It is generally used to satisfy a legal requirement or regulation when no other such evidence is available.

A statutory declaration has to be signed in the presence of a solicitor, commissioner for oaths or notary public. The cost is usually around £20 with a solicitor.

Download a free statutory declaration form from GOV.UK.

You can apply for your first UK Passport, or update or renew an existing one, to reflect your gender by visiting GOV.UK.

While it is not a formal requirement, you are advised to send a covering letter requesting your gender and name to be updated. You are also advised to do this for other mandatory documents.

You will require 1 of the following:

• a Gender Recognition Certificate
• a new birth or adoption certificate showing the gender you live in

Or, if you have a letter from your doctor or medical consultant confirming the gender you live in is likely to be permanent, you will need to supply both of the following:

• evidence of your change of name (such as a deed poll)
• evidence that you’re using your new name (for example a payslip or a letter from your local council)

Find your nearest passport office location.

Non-British passports

If you are a holder of a non-British passports and/or a national identity card you must also provide evidence you have amended the details in other passport(s) and any national identity cards you hold.

There are exceptional circumstances, such as those set out in the exceptions to guidance. The names used in these documents take precedent to names used in other supporting documents, such as marriage certificates and deed polls.

A Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) allows you to change your sex marker on your birth certificate and enable the gender you live in (sometimes called an ‘acquired gender’) to be legally recognised in the UK.

Having a GRC means you can:

• update your birth or adoption certificate, if it was registered in the UK
• get married or form a civil partnership in your gender
• update your marriage or civil partnership certificate, if it was registered in the UK
• have your gender recognised on your death certificate when you die

It is not possible to update the name on your GRC after it has been issued. If you want a new name on your certificate, you will need to change your name before you apply.

You do not need a GRC to:

• update your driving licence
• update your passport
• update your medical records, employments records or your bank account

When applying for, and obtaining a GRC, it may affect several areas of life. This includes for example:

• receipt of state benefits
• universal credit
• pensions
• other identification records
• marriage and civil partnership records

Please ensure that you take account of such issues before deciding whether to apply for a GRC.

If you are intersex, or have a variation in sexual characteristics, you may not need a GRC to correct your birth certificate. For more information, email the General Register Office: grocasework@gro.gov.uk.

Any documents you submit when applying for a GRC must be less than 10MB. But please note that your original or certified birth or adoption certificate must be sent by post and cannot be a photocopy.

Apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate on GOV.UK.

The panel will usually look at your application within 22 weeks of applying.

You can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate to vote in person in some elections and referendums in Wales. You cannot use it as proof of identification for any other reason.

Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate on GOV.UK.

The electoral register (sometimes called the ‘electoral roll’) lists the names and addresses of everyone who has registered to vote.

Register to vote, update your details or opt out of the open register on GOV.UK.

DBS can be used by employers when making recruitment decisions.

DBS offers a confidential checking service in accordance with the Gender Recognition Act 2004. This is known as the sensitive applications route and is available for all levels of DBS check; basic, standard and enhanced.

The sensitive applications route gives you the choice not to have any gender or name information disclosed on your DBS certificate which could reveal your previous gender identity.

You should contact the sensitive applications team before completing and submitting your application. The team is experienced in dealing with sensitive cases and will advise you of the process and what you need to do.

Contact the sensitive applications team on GOV.UK.

It is to make sure your financial accounts and credit reports are updated following your transition.

There are 3 credit reference agencies in the UK: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Each agency has their own credit report for you, however, if you contact Experian, they will update the other 2 credit score agencies, providing you give consent.

To help protect information about your previous gender in line with your statutory rights, the 3 credit reference agencies have set up a special confidential service to help you update your credit records.

Download the information pack from Experian.

You can update certain records without a GRC, including:

• Bank/building society and saving accounts
• GP and hospital records
• utility accounts (including gas, electric, or water)
• car insurance
• car tax
• vehicle registration documents
• Council Tax
• pensions
• insurance policies

This is not an exhaustive list and you may have other documents or services where you wish to change your name.

Most companies and organisations are content with seeing a deed poll and sometimes your original birth certificate. Contact each organisation directly to check on their specific requirements.