General information

From 1 November 2024, it is possible to change the gender entry and first name by making a simple declaration to the Civil Registry.

The new procedure consists of two parts:

1. The registration of the declaration, and
2. The declaration itself.

In accordance with § 4 SBGG, the declaration must be registered verbally or in written form with the responsible Civil Registry at least three months in advance.

As the registration does not have to meet any special formal requirements, it is not necessary to involve the Embassy or Consulate abroad for this part.

You can use this formulation aid for the registration (1). Please fill it out and send it to the responsible Civil Registry.

If your birth was registered in Germany, the Civil Registry that registered the birth is responsible.
If you are not listed in any German civil status register, the Civil Registry at the last German place of residence is responsible.
In case that your birth has never been registered in Germany and you have never been resident in Germany, the Civil Registry I in Berlin is the competent civil registry.

Once the registration (1) has been received by the Civil Registry, the certified declaration (2) must be submitted to the registry office between three and six months after registration. You are able to get the declaration certified at a German mission abroad or at a German Honorary Consul's Office.

Upon request, the Civil Registry will issue a certificate in accordance with § 46 PStV regarding the changed gender entry and first name/s. A passport with the changed details can only be issued upon presentation of this certificate.

Necessary documents

All documents must be presented as originals!

• Completed declaration form (please fill in legibly with a computer or block letters and do not sign the form yet!)
  • Form for adults/persons aged 18 years and older
  • Form for underage persons aged 14 years and older
  • Form for underage persons aged below 14 years
• Your valid German and/or foreign passport (or German identity card/Personalausweis)
• Your birth certificate
• If you are married, your marriage certificate (official document issued e.g. by Births, Deaths and Marriages, not Celebrant's certificate)
• Proof of change of gender entry made abroad (if applicable)
• Proof of visa status in Australia (if you are not also Australian) by VEVO (not older than 2 weeks at the time of application)
  Visa Entitlement Verification Online
• Proof of residence in Australia (e.g. Australian driver's licence)
• If you have ever lived in Germany: German deregistration certificate (Abmeldebescheinigung) from your last German place of residence or current registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung) from your most recent address in Germany
• Translations of foreign documents (usually not required for English or “international” documents, for example international birth certificates)

For underage persons additionally:

• Valid German and/or foreign passports of both parents (or German identity card/Personalausweis)
• Proof of visa status of the German parent in Australia (if they are not also Australian) by VEVO (not older than 2 weeks at the time of application)
  Visa Entitlement Verification Online

Depending on the case, more documents can become necessary or may subsequently be requested by the relevant civil registry (Standesamt) in Germany. It is recommended to contact the competent civil registry beforehand in order to find out more about the local requirements.

Your application will then be forwarded to the competent civil registry (Standesamt) in Germany, where it will be processed.

Fees

Two different fees incur:

1. Fees to be paid at your appointment at the German mission in Australia:
   The fees for certifying your signature amount to 56,43 EUR.
   The fees for making and certifying the copies to be sent to the civil registry in Germany are dependent on the individual case. If possible, all documents will be certified together which will incur a fee between 24,83 EUR (Embassy Canberra) and 26,21 EUR (Consulate General Sydney and Honorary Consuls).
   Please read our general information about fees and methods of payment.
2. Fees charged by the Registry Office in Germany for processing your application and issuing a certificate about the changed gender entry and first name/s.
   These fees are subject to the individual laws in Germany and may be dependent on the individual case.
   These fees are to be paid directly to the Registry Office (e.g. per bank transfer or by family/friends in Germany). They cannot be paid to the German missions in Australia. Once your application is processed in Germany, you will receive an e-mail with payment details.