Transgender, intersex and non-binary people who wish to change their gender entry and first name by November 1, 2024, have been able to register this with the registry office since August 1.
The Self-Determination Act (SBGG) has entered into force
On August 1st, Section 4 of the Self-Determination Act (SBGG) came into force, regulating the registration of changes to gender and first names at the registry office. Anyone who registers now can change their gender and first names in November. This is because Section 4 of the SBGG stipulates that the change must be registered at the registry office three months before the personal declaration. Only after this period has expired can the personal declaration be submitted and the gender and first names changed.
With the entry into force of Section 4 SBGG on August 1st, the legislator makes it possible for persons to submit their personal declaration to change their gender entry and first names as soon as the Self-Determination Act comes into force on November 1st, 2024.
Right to gender self-determination
Federal Minister for Equality Lisa Paus: “Everyone has the right to gender self-determination. For far too long, this right has been severely restricted for transgender, intersex, and non-binary people. But that is finally over! Registration for a change of legal gender and first name under the Self-Determination Act is possible from today. And the countdown is on: In three months, the Self-Determination Act will come into force, and the Transsexuals Act will be history. This is genuine social progress and a milestone in human rights policy for Germany.”
The law creates uniform regulations nationwide
Registration can be done at any registry office in Germany. This also applies if the birth, marriage, or civil partnership took place elsewhere in Germany or abroad. After the declaration is submitted, it will be forwarded internally, if necessary, to the registry office responsible for amending the civil status register. The change becomes effective upon entry in the civil status register.
The SBGG (Law on the Legal Status of Persons with Disabilities) stipulates that registration can be done in writing or in person. Some registry offices already offer online registration forms or announce that such forms will be available shortly. It is important that the registration and the declaration of consent must be submitted to the same registry office. Furthermore, it should be noted that the registration becomes invalid if the declaration is not submitted within six months of the registration date. Registry offices will likely charge an administrative fee for changing the gender entry and first names. The exact details of the procedure at the registry offices, as well as the amount of the fees, are determined by the individual federal states.
The Self-Determination Act
The Basic Law guarantees every person in Germany the free development of their personality, respect for privacy and non-discrimination.
Transsexual Act (TSG) ad acta
The Self-Determination Act (SBGG) aims to secure these rights for transgender, intersex, and non-binary people. The SBGG makes it easier for them to change their legal gender and first names. This new law replaces the Transsexuals Act (TSG) of 1980. The TSG is considered degrading and outdated, and significant portions of it have already been declared unconstitutional by the Federal Constitutional Court. The SBGG was passed by the Bundestag on April 12, 2024, and published in the Federal Law Gazette on June 21, 2024. It will enter into full force on November 1, 2024.
Source: Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, press release , August 1, 2024
Responsibility in Bremen: the registry offices
Anyone in Bremen wishing to change their gender entry in the birth register and their first name can contact the registry offices in Bremen-Mitte and Bremen-Nord. Information on the requirements and necessary documents can be found on the Bremen service portal. In addition to the procedure, the portal also provides information on costs and deadlines for the change
Name/Gender: Declarations according to the Self-Determination Act (SBGG) (City of Bremen)