On June 21, 2024, the law governing self-determination in terms of the gender marker (“SBGG”) was promulgated in the Federal Law Gazette. The law comes into effect on November 1, 2024, meaning that German citizens may declare their gender marker starting November 1, 2024. Registration to make the declaration begins on August 1, 2024.

The Self-Determination Act replaces the transsexual act of 1980. In the future, you can change your gender marker and first name through a simple declaration instead of a judicial ruling. The simple declaration needs to be sent to the appropriate registry office (Standesamt) in Germany. The declaration can be reversed no earlier than one year after the declaration was made (exceptions apply to minors).

German citizens living abroad can make the declaration pursuant to Section 2 of the Self-Determination Act and Section 45b of the Civil Status Act (Personenstandsgesetz) at a German consulate or embassy located in their district. The mission can certify your signature on the declaration form. If you are not recorded in a German civil status registry, the registry office located in your last place of habitual residence is responsible for your case. If you are not currently registered and have never lived in Germany before, the registry office in Berlin (Standesamt I) is responsible for your declaration.

Please note: The declaration to change your gender marker and first name must be registered three months before you can make the declaration. You must register the declaration at the appropriate registry office and there are no formal requirements. Please contact your appropriate registry office to register your declaration. For a template to register the declaration, please click here. You have to send the declaration within at least three months but no more than six months after the registry office has received the registration. Please ask for a confirmation of receipt from the registrar's office in Germany so that you have the exact date of the registration.

The registry office will, on request, issue you a certificate pursuant to Section 46 of Civil Status Act about your changed gender marker and first name. You cannot be issued a new passport with your new gender identity and first name until after this certificate has been submitted. We therefore strongly urge you to obtain the certificate.

If you are not yet recorded in a German civil status registry, we encourage you also to apply for the registration of your birth in order to obtain a German birth certificate. Further information about birth registration can be found here Registration of a child's birth.

You can submit your declaration at a German consulate or the embassy. If you intend to do so, please provide the documents listed below and the completed form. The German mission can make copies and certify them for a fee. Please find information about certified copies here. Please note that in some cases the competent German mission might be unable to foward the notarized declaration to the responsible registrar's office.

Please provide the following supplementary documents for your declaration:

- Your passport or other ID document (e.g. driver’s license, state ID)

- Your birth certificate

- Your marriage certificate (if applicable)

Please find the declaration form for adults here, for minors you find it here.

Please use our interactive Consulate Finder to see which of the nine German missions in the US is responsible for your district, to obtain the correct mailing address, and to schedule an appointment, if necessary to submit your declaration.