Summary
Any Belgian citizen (adult, emancipated minor, or young person aged 16 or above) or foreign national registered in the population register who believes that the sex listed on their birth certificate does not match the gender with which they identity most deeply, may declare this conviction to the civil registrar in their municipality of residence.
In detail
There are two steps to the procedure:
1) The declaration
The applicant declares their intention to change their registered gender.
The declaration is made at the civil registry office of the applicant’s municipal administration, Births department. Depending on the municipality, you may need to book an appointment.
- The applicant must submit a signed declaration stating that, for some time, they have felt that the sex listed on their birth certificate does not match the gender with which they identify most closely.
- In the declaration, the applicant must confirm their desire to have this aspect changed in an administrative and legal manner.
- The civil registrar will inform the applicant of the next steps in this procedure, and the consequences.
- The registrar duly records the declaration.
- The applicant will receive an acknowledgment of receipt of their declaration, stating where they can find the brochure containing more information on the administrative and legal consequences of changing your registered gender.
2) Drawing up the certificate
The applicant must go to the civil registrar a second time and confirm the first declaration that they made at the civil registry office of their municipal administration, Births department. You may need to book an appointment, depending on the municipality.
The certificate must be drawn up no earlier than 3 months and no later than 6 months after the first declaration.
This option is available to individuals who believe that the sex listed on their birth certificate does not match the gender with which they identify most closely.
To initiate the procedure, there are no additional requirements for:
- Belgian adults;
- emancipated Belgian minors; or
- foreign nationals registered in the population register.
The applicant must submit a second declaration confirming their previously held conviction.
The applicant must confirm that they are aware of the administrative and legal consequences involved in changing their registered gender, and that it is irrevocable.
The certificate will be drawn up and the registered gender changed accordingly.
From the age of 16, non-emancipated minors may also have the sex listed on their birth certificate changed, provided that they are assisted by their parents or legal representative. They must also provide a certificate issued by a children’s psychiatrist, confirming that their decision is based on a free and informed choice.
This procedure is not available to foreign nationals registered in the waiting register.
Costs
As the cost varies depending on the municipality, contact your municipality to find out the cost where you live. The procedure is generally free of charge, but can cost up to EUR 50.
Timeframe
The procedure takes between 3 and 6 months.