How do I apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate?

The Gender Recognition Act allows all individuals over the age of 18 to self-declare their own gender identity. If you are 16 or 17 you can also be legally recognised but will have to go through a different process. 

In self-declaring your own gender identity it means that if you were assigned male at birth, but now identify as female, you can have your gender legally recognised as female. Likewise, if you were assigned female at birth, but now identify as male, it is possible to have your gender legally recognised as male.

The act means you will be fully and legally recognised as your correct gender. 

Can anyone apply to have their gender identity recognised?

Anyone over the age of 18 can have their gender identity legally recognised.

It is also possible for 16 and 17-year-olds to have their gender identity legally recognised, but there is a different, longer process involved in this.

If you are under 16, it is not possible to have your gender recognised.

I’m 18 or over. How do I apply for gender recognition?

First, you will need:

• Your Birth Certificate or Adoption Certificate
• Your PPS number – which you can find here
• Proof of residency in Ireland, if you were not born in Ireland

Previously, a deed poll or proof of use of name was needed when applying for a Gender Recognition Certificate. As a result of administrative changes, this is no longer needed and the inclusion of your new name on the application form is now accepted as enough.

If you’ve already had your correct gender identity recognised in another country and want to have that recognition validated here, get a copy of that decision, order or certificate too.

Fill out this form – with a witness

Next, you need to fill out a Gender Recognition Certificate 1 (GRC1) application. You can download your GRC1 here.

Then you need to sign it in the presence of any one of the following people:

• Peace Commissioner – a Garda station will be able to direct you to one.
• Notary Public – a list of these is available here.
• Commissioner For Oaths – ask a solicitor if they provide this service. 

You must sign it in the presence of one of those people, or it will not be valid.

Send it off

Finally, send the completed form, as well as the documents listed above to:

Client Identity Services

Department of Social Protection

Shannon Lodge

Carrick-on-Shannon

Co Leitrim

N41 KD81

I’m 16 or 17. How do I apply for gender recognition?

If you are 16 or 17 and want to apply for gender recognition, you must follow the process described above. But before this, you must get a Court Order from the Circuit Family Court. 

• Click here for forms to appy to the Circuit Family Court
• Sittings of the Circuit Court can be found here 

You will need the support of your parent or guardian. Consent forms can be found here. 

I have a question or need more help

If you have a question you can contact Client Identity Services on 071 9672588

Need more information?

We are here to answer your questions and talk through your options. Our online chat service is for 16 to 25-year-olds and is available Monday to Friday, 4 pm to 8 pm. Chat to us now about your situation.

• Chat now to a trained Youth Information Officer
• Or leave us a message and we will email you back