You can apply to have the sex your child identifies as recognised under Queensland law. They must be under 16 and have lived in Queensland for the past 12 months (and currently live here).
If your child was born:
overseas you may choose to change your child’s first name and middle name(s) at the same time. If you want to change their family name do this before your application to change your child’s recognised sex has been finalised. You will need to complete a change of name application and pay an additional fee
The application fee includes 1 recognised details certificate, which is legal proof of your child's sex. You have to pay for additional certificates.
A recognised details certificate only provides some information—it does not show change of name details and is not legal proof of a name change.
There are 2 official recognised details certificates:
linking recognised details certificate—shows your child’s new sex and name on the front and their previous details on the back (use to update sex on ID)
recognised details certificate—shows your child’s new sex and name and does not show any previous details (may not be suitable to update sex on ID).
A recognised details certificate is not proof of a name change. If your child was born overseas and you are changing their first name(s), you will need to order a change of name certificate.
Organisations will have different requirements for what proof they need about changes to your child’s details, so you should contact them directly.
If your application is approved, we send you a recognized details certificate that shows the sex your child identifies as. This becomes your child’s recognised sex under Queensland law.
Documents you will need to provide
If your child was born outside of Queensland, you will need to provide:
a certified copy of your child’s birth certificate—if you can’t get one, we may accept other evidence of your child’s birth (more about this below)
certified proof of ID for both registered parents (read the rules below if you are a single parent or person with parental responsibility)
evidence that your child currently lives and has lived in Queensland for 12 months before your application (or more), such as a letter. The letter should
be dated and signed on letterhead from your child’s
day care
school
doctor
employer
state how long they have lived in Queensland
state how long the person or organisation has known your child
evidence explaining the reason if your or your child’s current name or sex is different to the details on their birth certificate, such as
marriage certificate
change of name document
change of sex document.
Normally both parents of the child must apply together. If only one parent or person with parental responsibility is applying for the child, you need to provide additional evidence.
Other evidence of birth
If you can’t provide your child’s birth certificate, we may accept one of these (showing their birth name), you must provide either:
a travel document
a passport issued by the country of your child’s birth with a letter from the consulate confirming their details
and
a statutory declaration that
explains why your child’s birth certificate isn't available
includes your child’s name at birth
includes your child’s date and place of birth.
Rules for changing your child’s recognised sex
To have your child’s sex recognised, you must:
not have changed your child’s recognised sex in Queensland in the past 12 months
A person with sole parental responsibility under a Family Court order can apply—parenting order must be provided.
If you are a legal guardian (i.e. you have been appointed under a law of a state or the Australian Government), you can apply—child protection order or legal will appointing guardianship must be provided.
A child that is 12 years old (and less than 16) may apply to the Childrens Court if each parent of the child or person(s) with parental responsibility for the child does not support a change to the child’s sex.
Post your completed application form with your certified supporting documents and payment (if you didn't pay online) to:
Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages PO Box 15188 CITY EAST QLD 4002
We will begin to process your application when we receive it along with your documents.
Submit in person by requesting an appointment
To submit your completed application form in person, you need to book a 15-minute appointment with a registry officer.
This online service allows you to choose the date and time of your appointment at the Brisbane registry customer service centre at Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane.
To book your appointment, you will be asked for your name, email and mobile number, and you will get an email confirming your appointment. The email will also allow you to easily reschedule or cancel your booking, if necessary.
Privacy notice
The Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages is collecting your personal information for the purpose of facilitating your appointment booking online and for contacting you in relation to your appointment. Your personal information will not be used or disclosed for any other purpose unless authorised or required by law. Your personal information will be handled according to with the provisions of the Information Privacy Act 2009.
By phone: local call* 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or international +61 7 3022 6100 (+10 hours UTC)—phone lines are open Monday–Friday, 8.30am–4.30pm.
*Costs may be higher from mobile phones and interstate.
Visit the Brisbane registry customer service centre at Level 32, 180 Ann Street, Brisbane.
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Pay the fee
When applying, the total cost is calculated as you fill in the application form online.
The fee is for you to submit your application and for us to review it.
You can pay:
online
by credit card (Visa or MasterCard)
at the customer service centre
by EFTPOS or credit card
with a business account cheque
with a bank cheque
with a money order
through the mail
within Australia
by credit card
with a business account cheque
with a bank cheque
with a money order
from overseas
by credit card.
We will accept cash at the customer service centre but prefer contactless payments such as EFTPOS or credit card.
We do not accept personal cheques or cheques issued from outside Australia (in any currency).
Make Australian-drawn cheques and money orders payable to 'Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages'.
Application fees
You can choose an official certificate to update your child's identity in the community and order additional certificates (fee payable).
Item
Cost
Change recognised sex for a child under 16—includes 1 official recognised details certificate (non-refundable)
$126.10
Additional official linking recognised details certificate (standard postage included)
$54.40
Additional official recognised details certificate (standard postage included)
$54.40
Postage fees
Standard postage is included in the price when you order a certificate to be sent by mail.
You can choose to have your certificate sent by express or registered post for a fee.
Item
Cost
Express post
$8.55
Registered post
$8.10
International registered mail
$18.55
We value identity protection, so we recommend that you choose registered post. This ensures the delivery of your child's certificate can be tracked and delivered to you more securely within Australia.
International registered mail is used for overseas deliveries. However, this can’t be tracked and signing on delivery is only available in some countries.
Application fees are non-refundable even if your application is not approved.
You can request a refund for additional certificates and postage fees if you cancel your application or it is not approved.
When applying by post, you must have your supporting documents certified by a qualified Justice of the Peace or another authorised person before you post them to us.
