Change of sex or gender

Applicants who were born overseas can apply to be issued a document which acknowledges their sex or gender. This document will not show previous sex or gender history unless the applicant specifically requests this information be listed on their acknowledgement document.

How to apply for an acknowledgment document – Adult

You can apply to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in WA for a document acknowledging an adult’s change in sex or gender if:

• you are 18 years of age or older.
• you were born overseas and have been living in WA for the 12 consecutive months immediately preceding this application.
• you have a statement from a doctor or psychologist certifying that you have received appropriate clinical treatment in relation to your sex or gender.
• you have not recorded a change of sex or gender anywhere in Australia within the last 12 months or three times or more as an adult.
• you are a Restricted Person and you have obtained the approval of your Supervisory Authority.

All applications for an acknowledgment document require three forms of identification and evidence that you have been living in WA continuously for the 12 months immediately preceding the application. Refer to the Proof of Residency section below.

Apply using the BDM502 - Application to the Registrar for a document acknowledging sex or gender of an adult (18 years or older) born overseas (PDF, 292.94KB).

For more information on the application process, refer to the Fact Sheet for Applicants (adults) (PDF,160KB).

How to apply for an acknowledgement document – Child (12 to 17 years)

Parent/s named in the child’s birth certificate or the child’s legally appointed guardian/s can apply to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in WA for a document acknowledging a change of sex or gender of a child if:

• the child is between 12 and 17 years of age.
• the child was born overseas and has been living in WA for the 12 continuous months immediately preceding this application.
• the child has a statement from a doctor or psychologist certifying that they have received appropriate clinical treatment in relation to their sex or gender and understands the meaning and implications of the application.
• the child has not had a change of sex or gender recorded anywhere in Australia within the last 12 months.
• the child is a Restricted Person, you have obtained approval from the child’s Supervisory Authority. Refer to the Restricted Persons section below.

Applications for a document acknowledging a change of a child’s sex or gender require three forms of identification of all applicants and evidence that you have been living in WA continuously for the 12 months immediately preceding the application. Refer to Proof of Residency section below.

Note: If an applicant is unable to obtain the consent of the other parent, an order must be obtained from the Family Court, approving the issue of a document acknowledging the change of the child’s sex or gender.

Where a named parent of a child is deceased, the applicant must provide evidence of the death of the deceased parent at the time of making the application.

Apply using the BDM504 - Application to the Registrar for a document acknowledging sex or gender of a child (12 to 17 years) born overseas (PDF, 317.14KB).

For more information on the application process, refer to the Fact Sheet for Applicants (child) (PDF, 156KB).

How to apply for an acknowledgment document – Child (Under 12)

All applications to obtain a document acknowledging the sex or gender of a child under 12 years of age must be submitted with an order from the Family Court.

For more information on the Family Court website, refer to:

• changes to the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act applications process
• guide to Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act applications

Once you have obtained a Family Court Order, apply using BDM506 - Application to the Registrar for a document acknowledging sex or gender for a child (under 12 years) born overseas (PDF, 424.29KB).

Proof of residency

An applicant for an acknowledgment document (adult or child) who was born overseas must provide a minimum of two separate forms of documentary evidence to show that they have been living continuously in WA for 12 months immediately prior to the date of making the application.

Evidence should:

• not be older than 12 months (except your Western Australian photo driver’s licence)
• state your current address and, where applicable, all previous Western Australian addresses within the last 12 months.
• display the date of issue of the document.
• clearly show 12 months of history of your living in Western Australia.

Further detailed information relating to proof of residency requirements can be found in the application forms. 

People born interstate cannot apply to the Western Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Applicants must refer to the change of sex or gender registration process in the state or territory of their birth. A full list of interstate Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages offices can be found on the Registry Office locations page.

What is appropriate clinical treatment?

An application to change sex or gender in the registration of birth or for an acknowledgement document, must contain a statement from a doctor or psychologist certifying that the person has received appropriate clinical treatment in relation to their sex or gender.

The decision as to what clinical treatment is appropriate will depend on our individual needs and in all circumstances, will be determined in confidence between you and a doctor or psychologist.  You do not need to provide details about any treatment you have undertaken in your application.

Information for Doctors and Psychologists on this requirement is contained in:

• Information for Doctors and Psychologists about the process for adults to update their sex or gender in their birth registration (PDF, 160KB)
   
• Information for Doctors and Psychologists about the process for children (12 to 17 years) to update their sex or gender in their birth registration (PDF, 156KB)

An example statement of ‘appropriate clinical treatment’ is available to assist applicants and the Doctor or Psychologist with the form of the statement.

• Doctor or Psychologist Statement in Support of Change of Sex or Gender - Adult Patient (PDF, 58KB)
   
• Doctor or Psychologist Statement in Support of Change of Sex or Gender - Child Patient (PDF, 71KB)

For more information, refer to the Fact Sheet for Applicants (Adults) (PDF, 164KB) and Fact Sheet for Applicants (Children) (PDF, 169KB).

The Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1998 restricts certain classes of persons from recording a change of their sex or gender without the permission of a supervisory authority. It also restricts people from making a change of sex or gender on behalf of a restricted person.

Approval Requirements

Persons who are a restricted person, as set out below, must obtain approval from their relevant Supervisory Authority before applying to change the sex or gender in their birth registration or applying for a document acknowledging a change of sex or gender. Making an application without approval is an offence under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1998.

Restricted persons are:

• A high-risk serious offender
• A detainee
• A person subject to an early release order
• A prisoner
• A supervised offender
• A supervised young offender

Forms

• BDM501 - Application for a change of registration of sex or gender for an adult (18 years or older) born in Western Australia (PDF, 299.7KB)
   
• BDM502 - Application to the Registrar for a document acknowledging sex or gender of an adult (18 years or older) born overseas (PDF, 292.94KB)
   
• BDM503 - Application for a change of registration of sex or gender for a child (12 to 17 years) born in Western Australia (PDF, 312.25KB)
   
• BDM504 - Application to the Registrar for a document acknowledging sex or gender of a child (12 to 17 years) born overseas (PDF, 317.14KB)
   
• BDM505 - Application for a change of registration of a sex or gender for a child (under 12 years) born in Western Australia (PDF, 226.92KB)
   
• BDM506 - Application to the Registrar for a document acknowledging sex or gender for a child (under 12 years) born overseas (PDF, 424.29KB)
   
• BDM509 - Application for a Birth Certificate displaying former sex or gender (PDF, 340.79KB)

Fees

The fees to register a change of sex or gender registration and apply for a new birth certificate to be issued:

• $190 Lodgement fee for Application to Change Sex or Gender Registration (adult or child). This fee will be retained regardless of the outcome.
  • Note: If you have an original birth certificate you must return it with this application. It will be replaced for free upon completion of this application. Otherwise, a separate fee is payable.
• $55 Western Australian birth certificate.
• $190 Lodgement fee for Application for a document acknowledging a change of sex or gender. This fee will be retained regardless of the outcome.
• $55 Certified copy of Acknowledgment Document.

The following payment methods are accepted:

• Credit Card – MasterCard or Visa
• EFTPOS Debit Card or Cash – When paying in person
• Cheque or money order – Payable to Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages. When paying at a WA court payable to the Department of Justice.
• Overseas applicants - $AUD via credit card (MasterCard or Visa only) or international money order or bank draft payable to Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

Refund policy

The Refund Policy (PDF) outlines the circumstances that are considered for refund of fees paid for goods or services provide by the Western Australian Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages.

Applicants are required to provide at least three forms of evidence-of-identity documents before being eligible to receive certificates. 

Applicants are required to provide at least three forms of evidence-of-identity documents before being eligible to receive certificates.

One from List 1, 2 and 3. At least one containing a photograph

Or

One from List 1 and two from List 2. At least one containing a photograph.

Or

Two from List 2 and one from List 3. At least one containing a signature.

List 1 – Link between photo and signature

• Australian Driver’s Licence
• Australian Learner Driver’s permit card
• Australian Citizenship Certificate (with evidence of residential status)
• Australian Firearm Licence
• Australian Passport
• Defence Force/Police Id Card
• Western Australia Photo Card, Over 18 or Proof of Identity Card

List 2 – Evidence of Operating in the Community

• A financial institution Debit or Credit Card
• Australian Security or Crowd Controller Licence
• Birth Certificates (birth extracts are not accepted)
• Centrelink/Veteran Card
• Document of identity issued by the Passport Office
• Medicare Card
• Naturalisation, citizenship or immigration papers issued by the Department of Home Affairs
• Overseas Passport
• Student Identity Document or Statement of Enrolment
• Working with Children Check Card

List 3 – Proof of Residency

• Drivers Licence Renewal Notice
• Financial institution statement less than 6 months old
• Motor Vehicle Registration
• Property Lease or Tenancy Agreement
• Shire/Water rates notice
• Student Report or Certificate less than 12 months old
• Utility Account less than 6 months old

For overseas applicants, the Registry will consider overseas equivalents evidence-of-identity documents.

Applications to change sex or gender in the registration of birth or for the issue of an acknowledgement document can be submitted by post or in person only at the Registry Office in Perth.

In person

The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
Level 10, 141 St Georges Terrace
PERTH WA 6000

By post

Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
PO Box 7720
Cloisters Square
PERTH WA 6850

Who can apply for access to a person’s sex or gender history?

Any birth certificates or acknowledgement documents issued after a change of sex or gender application has been approved will only display the new sex or gender of the person. A separate application form must be submitted to be issued a birth certificate with the person’s previous sex or gender history.

The Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages must be satisfied that the applying person or body has an adequate reason for wanting access or information from the Registry, and must, as far as practicable, protect the persons whom the information relates from unjustified intrusion on their privacy.

The list of prescribed persons who can request a copy of a birth certificate that includes the person’s sex or gender before the person’s registration was changed and the person’s sex or gender after the person’s registration was changed:

• Parent or guardian – if the person’s is under the age of 18 years
• Guardian of the person, if the person has reached the age of 18 years and is a represented person who has a guardian appointed under the Guardianship and Administration Act 1990
• Executor or Administrator of the estate if the person is deceased
• Chief executive officer of the department of the Public Service principally assisting in the administration of the Children and Community Services Act 2004.

NOTE: Only the person named in the acknowledgement document can apply for a replacement acknowledgement document or an acknowledgement document including previous changes of sex or gender.

As of 30 May 2025, The Gender Reassignment Board (the Board) has been abolished. Previously, individuals had to apply to the Board for a ‘recognition certificate’ before applying to the Registry to change their sex or gender on their birth certificate.

Recognition certificates that have already been granted by the Board will not be affected. The Registrar will still be able to register an update of sex or gender from a recognition certificate and issue a birth certificate showing your new sex or gender upon submission of an application. Please contact the Registry for further information