Gender entry and use of first names; registration and submission of the declaration

• Notification to the Registry Office
  : Any change to the gender entry or first names must be notified to the Registry Office where the declaration is to be made, either verbally or in writing, three months prior to the declaration. The declaration may only be submitted once this period has elapsed.

• You are of legal age.
  Once you turn 18, you can make the declaration yourself.

• For young people aged 14 or over:
  Young people aged 14 or over may submit the declaration themselves, but they require the consent of their legal guardians. They must also confirm that they have received counselling. The counselling may be provided in particular by persons holding professional qualifications in psychology, child and adolescent psychotherapy or child and adolescent psychiatry, or by a public or independent child and youth welfare service.

• For children under the age of 14: Legal guardians must provide
  the declaration on behalf of children under the age of 14. If the child is already 5 years old, they must give their consent. Legal guardians must also confirm that they have received advice – here too, the same professionals or organisations may provide this advice.

• Choosing first names
  : When submitting your application, you must also specify the first names you wish to use in future. The first names must correspond to the chosen gender entry. If the first name you have used to date corresponds to the new gender entry, you may choose to retain it.

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 one year after 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.

• 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 again at the registry office and submit a declaration after a waiting period of three months.

• 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 civil partnership, you will also need your marriage or civil partnership certificate*.
  If the marriage or civil partnership took place abroad, an official translation is also required in this case.
• 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 certificate itself.

• Declaration of change of gender: EUR 30.00
• Determination of first names: 30,00 EUR
• Certificate of name and gender registration: EUR 12.00

• §§ 2-5 Law on self-determination with regard to gender entry (SBGG)

1. Register the change of gender entry and first names verbally or in writing at a registry office.
2. After a period of 3 months, you can then make a declaration at this registry office to change your gender entry and also to change your first name. Please make an appointment for this at the registry office.
3. The registry office changes your data and informs 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 notarised the birth) in order to become effective.