Since 15 June 2023, anyone with a New Zealand birth certificate can change the sex shown on it by sending a statutory declaration to the Registrar-General. You do not need medical treatment, a doctor’s letter (if you are 18 or over) or a Family Court order. You can choose male, female or non-binary.
This guide explains who can apply, what you need, what it costs, and the extra steps for under-18s. It is based on Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) information, checked on 9 November 2026.
At a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who can apply? | Anyone with a New Zealand birth certificate |
| What do I fill in? | A statutory declaration, sent to the Registrar-General (DIA) |
| Medical evidence needed? | No. It is based on how you identify |
| Sex marker options | Male, female or non-binary |
| Cost | $55 for the change, plus $33–$35 for a new birth certificate (DIA, fees under review) |
| Changing your name too? | A separate name change costs $170 |
| Born overseas? | Not covered by this process |
Step by step (18 and over)
- Get the form. Download the application to amend registered sex from the DIA or govt.nz “changing your gender” pages.
- Complete the statutory declaration. A statutory declaration has to be signed in front of an authorised person, such as a Justice of the Peace or a lawyer. Many councils and libraries host free JP clinics.
- Choose your sex marker: male, female or non-binary.
- Pay the fee and order a new birth certificate if you want one.
- Send it to DIA (Births, Deaths and Marriages) as the form directs.
- Update your other ID. Your birth certificate is the starting point; passports, driver licences, banks and IRD are each updated separately.
Under 18: what changes
| Age | Who applies | Extra requirement |
|---|---|---|
| 15 and under | A guardian, on the child’s behalf and with the child’s consent | A letter of support from a suitably qualified third party |
| 16 and 17 | The young person | Either guardian consent, or a letter of support from a suitably qualified third party |
A “suitably qualified third party” must be over 18 and either a registered doctor, nurse or nurse practitioner, psychologist, psychotherapist, social worker or counsellor, or someone who has known the young person for more than 12 months.
Can I change it more than once?
Yes. DIA says there are no restrictions on using the self-identification process again, even if you have changed your birth certificate before. DIA has said extra requirements may apply for repeat applications, so check the current form.
What if I was born overseas?
The self-identification process only covers New Zealand birth certificates. DIA cannot change a certificate issued by another country, and the 2021 law did not add a process for people born overseas to register their gender in New Zealand. For other ID, such as a New Zealand passport or driver licence, check with the agency that issues it. Gender Minorities Aotearoa keeps practical guides on this.
Changing your name at the same time
A name change is a separate application and costs $170. RainbowYOUTH’s name change guide walks through it in plain language.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to have had surgery or hormones?
No. The process is based on how you identify, not on medical treatment.
Does the Family Court still deal with this?
No. Self-identification replaced the Family Court process in June 2023. Applications made to the Family Court before 15 June 2023 continued to be processed.
Can I choose “X”?
For birth certificates the options are male, female or non-binary. Passports have their own rules.
How long does it take?
DIA does not publish a fixed time on the pages we checked. Order your new certificate at the same time so it arrives with the change.
Need support?
Call OutLine on 0800 688 5463 (6pm–9pm daily), or see our list of rainbow support services in New Zealand.
Sources
- DIA: new self-identification process (15 June 2023)
- DIA: Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Registration Act FAQ
- DIA: the 2021 Act
- govt.nz: changing your gender
Checked 9 November 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Fees and forms change, so confirm with DIA before you apply.
