Changing gender entry and first name (under the SBGG, Selbstbestimmungsgesetz [Self-Determination Act])

• Registration with the Standesamt (registry office) The change of the gender entry and first names must be registered with the Standesamt, either verbally or in writing, three months before the declaration. The declaration can only be submitted after this period has elapsed. • You are of legal age Persons who have completed their 18th year of life can submit the declaration themselves. • For minors over 14 years: consent of the persons with custody If the declaring person is still a minor but already over 14 years old, the declaration can only be submitted by the child themselves. However, it requires the consent of the persons with custody. • For minors under 14 years: submission of the declaration of change by the persons with custody and the consent of the child For a child who is not yet 14 years old, only the legal representatives can submit the declaration of change to the Standesamt. The declaration requires the consent of the child if the child has completed their fifth year of life. The submission of the declaration by the persons with custody must take place in the presence of the minor child. The persons with custody must themselves declare, with the assurance pursuant to § 2 SBGG (Selbstbestimmungsgesetz [Self-Determination Act]), that they have been advised accordingly. • Nationality • You hold German nationality, or • You are a citizen of another EU state, or • You hold a Niederlassungserlaubnis (settlement permit) or a renewable Aufenthaltserlaubnis (residence permit) and are lawfully resident in the country, or you hold a Blue Card EU • Determination of first names New first names corresponding to the gender entry must also be determined together with the declaration. If the name previously used corresponds to the new gender entry, it may be retained. • A change of first names isolated from the change of the gender entry is not possible in this context. • For a renewed change of the gender entry: 12-month blocking period A renewed declaration can only be made after a blocking period of 12 months has elapsed since the last declaration of change. • Documents in German Foreign documents (certificates) require an officially certified translation, with an apostille or legalization where applicable.

• Notification of the change of gender entry The notification can be submitted informally in writing with a handwritten signature, or verbally in person at the Standesamt (registry office). • You may, however, use the notification form we have prepared for you. This makes it easier to process your notification and to prepare your declaration. • Declaration on the change of gender entry The written declaration may be submitted in person at the Standesamt three months after the notification. You will receive the appointment (Termin) for submitting the declaration from the Standesamt to which you addressed your notification. • Passport or Personalausweis (identity card) To be presented by the person making the declaration and, where applicable, by the person(s) with custody. • Aufenthaltstitel (residence permit) If the person making the declaration holds a nationality other than German, they must provide proof of holding • an unlimited right of residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis/settlement permit), or • a renewable residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) and lawful residence in Germany, or • a Blue Card EU. • If born in Germany: birth certificate • If born abroad: an officially certified translation of the birth certificate • If an existing marriage or civil partnership: marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate • Interpreter If the person making the declaration does not have sufficient command of German, an interpreter must be arranged and paid for by that person.

• Registration of the change of gender entry and first names www.berlin.de/standesamt/geburt/anmeldeformular-sbgg.pdf

• free of charge: declaration on the change of gender entry • 15.00 euros: declaration pursuant to § 2 SBGG (Self-Determination Act) • 12.00 euros: certificate of name held

• Gesetz über die Selbstbestimmung in Bezug auf den Geschlechtseintrag (SBGG, Self-Determination Act regarding Gender Entry) § 4 www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sbgg/__4.html • Personenstandsgesetz (PStG, Civil Status Act) § 45 b www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pstg/__45b.html • Personenstandsverordnung (PStV, Civil Status Ordinance) § 42 www.gesetze-im-internet.de/pstv/__42.html • Einführungsgesetz zum Bürgerlichen Gesetzbuche (EGBGB, Introductory Act to the Civil Code) Article 7a www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgbeg/BJNR006049896.html#BJNR0060

• Questions and answers on the Self-Determination Act (Selbstbestimmungsgesetz, SBGG) (Federal Ministry of Justice) www.bmjv.de/DE/themen/gesellschaft_familie/selbstbestimmung/

• The Standesamt (registry office) responsible for accepting the declaration on changing the gender entry is the one at which the birth register of the person concerned is kept. • If no German birth register is kept, then responsibility (Zuständigkeit) lies with the Standesamt that keeps the marriage or civil partnership register. • If this still does not establish a responsibility, then the declaration can be submitted to the Standesamt of the place of residence. In every case, the declaration must be submitted at the Standesamt where the Anmeldung (registration of residence) was also made.