The Act came fully into force on 1 November 2024. It has been possible since 1 August 2024 to pre-register a declaration with the register office.

Which register office?

Declarations regarding the changing of one’s gender entry and the choice of new forenames must be filed with a German register office.

The register office must be the one where the declaring party’s birth or, failing that, marriage, was registered. Persons who do not possess a German birth or marriage certificate should use the register office in their most recent German place of residence; in the case of persons who have never lived in Germany, the competent register office is Standesamt I in Berlin.

In the case of Germans habitually resident abroad, a German mission abroad can officially authenticate the declaration and forward it to the competent register office.

Pre-registering the declaration

Anyone intending to file a declaration under the Self-Determination Act must pre-register at least three months prior to filing the declaration. Pre-registration is already open.

One can pre-register verbally in person at a German register office, or by post with a signed letter and a copy of one’s passport or identity card. It is not possible to pre-register through a German mission abroad.

You can use the template below to pre-register in writing.

Filing the declaration

Once you have received confirmation of registration you can book an appointment at your German mission abroad, which should be three to five months after registration. The declaration must reach the German register office within six months of registration, otherwise the registration expires. Please bring your passport or identity card, birth certificate and, if applicable, marriage certificate to the appointment. The German mission will authenticate your signature on the declaration and forward the declaration and other documents to the competent register office.

The forenames to be used in future are to be specified along with the declaration regarding the change of gender entry. The forenames must match the chosen gender entry.

The declaration comes into effect when it is received by the German register office. You will receive a certificate from the register office and can then apply for a new passport using your amended details. It is not possible to make another declaration under the Self-Determination Act until one year has elapsed.

Booking an appointment

If you reside in the consular district of the German Embassy in London: please email the Embassy with a PDF of your registration confirmation attached.

If you reside in the consular district of the German Consulate General in Edinburgh: please e-mail the Consulate General.

Minors wishing to file a declaration

Minors aged 14 or over who wish to file a declaration regarding a change of gender entry and forenames have to file it themselves, but need the consent of their legal guardian (usually one or both parents). If their legal guardian denies consent, the German family court may issue the consent instead. In their declaration, the minor affirms that they have received advice from an appropriate source (e.g. a representative of the youth welfare service or a qualified psychologist).

For minors under the age of 14, it is the legal guardian (usually one or both parents) who submits the declaration regarding the change of gender entry and forenames, but the child’s agreement is required if the child is aged 5 or over. The legal guardian must affirm that they have received advice from an appropriate source.

In this case, another declaration under the Self-Determination Act is allowed to be filed before a year has elapsed.

Downloads

Pre-registration template (in German)

Declaration for persons over 18 (in German)

Declaration for persons from 14 (in German)

Declaration for persons under 14 (in German)