General Information

With the Law on Self-Determination Regarding Gender Entry (SBGG), it is made easier for transgender, intersex, and non-binary individuals with German citizenship or habitual residence in Germany to change their gender entry and first names. The Law on Self-Determination Regarding Gender Entry (SBGG) will come into full effect on November 1, 2024. Since August 1, 2024, declarations can already be registered at the civil registry office.

Jurisdiction

The declaration for changing the gender entry and choosing new first names must be submitted to the German civil registry office.

The responsible civil registry office is the one where the declaring person is registered in the birth register or otherwise in the marriage register. For a person who does not yet possess a German civil status certificate, the civil registry office of their last German place of residence is responsible; if they have never lived in Germany, the Standesamt I in Berlin is responsible.

For Germans residing abroad, a German diplomatic mission can publicly certify the declaration and forward it to the responsible civil registry office.

Registration of the Declaration

The intended submission of a declaration under the SBGG must be registered at least three months prior to the submission.

Registration can be done in person at a German civil registry office verbally or in writing with a handwritten signature and a copy of the passport or ID card sent by mail. German diplomatic missions are not responsible for registration.

You can use this form for the written registration: Formulation Aid Registration (pdf) or Formulation Aid Registration (word) (currently only available in German)

Submission of the Declaration

After confirming the registration, you can make an appointment with your diplomatic mission (see appointment booking), which should be scheduled between three and five months after registration. The declaration must reach the German civil registry office no later than six months after registration; otherwise, the registration will expire. Please bring your passport or ID card, birth certificate, and if applicable, marriage certificate, each in original form. The diplomatic mission will certify your signature on the declaration and forward the declaration along with other documents to the responsible civil registry office.

SBGG Declaration for Adults (pdf) (currently only available in German)

SBGG Declaration for Adults (word) (currently only available in German)

With the declaration for changing the gender entry, the future first names are to be determined. The first names must correspond to the chosen gender entry.

The declaration becomes effective upon receipt by the German civil registry office. Based on a certificate from the civil registry office, you can subsequently apply for a new passport with the changed information. A further declaration under the SBGG can only be made after one year has passed.

Declaration by Minors

Minors who have reached the age of 14 can only submit the declaration to change their gender entry and first names themselves, but they require the consent of their legal representative (usually a parent or both parents). If the legal representative refuses consent, the German family court can replace the consent. In the declaration, the minor assures that they have previously been advised by an appropriate body (e.g., youth welfare agency or a qualified psychological professional).

SBGG Declaration for Minors - 14 and Older (pdf) (currently only available in German)

SBGG Declaration for Minors - 14 and Older (word) (currently only available in German)

For minors who have not yet reached the age of 14, the legal representative (usually a parent or both parents) submits the declaration to change the gender entry and first names, but must have the child's consent if the child has reached the age of five. The legal representative must assure that they have previously been advised by an appropriate body.

SBGG Declaration for Minors - Under 14 (pdf) (currently only available in German)

SBGG Declaration for Minors - Under 14 (word) (currently only available in German)

A further declaration under the SBGG can already be submitted before the expiration of one year.