Gender and name change

Gender and name change

Official gender change

Belgium adopted a new trans law on 1 January 2018, which makes it easier for trans people to change their official gender. You no longer need a certificate from a doctor or psychiatrist.

You can simply apply for an administrative sex change at the General Registrar’s Office (births, deaths, marriages) of your municipality. They can give you more information on the issue.

You can change gender if you are Belgian or a foreigner registered in the Population Register.

Official name change

Changing your first name is a big step in affirming your new gender identity. Transgenders are usually excited about changing their first names because they feel their “old’ name is linked too strongly to their birth gender and no longer expresses who they are now.

As in the case of a gender change, you can apply for a new name at the General Registrar’s Office of your municipality. 

Your first name can only change if you have Belgian nationality (or if you are a recognised refugee or stateless person). If you do not fall into any of these categories, you should contact the authorities in your native country.

There is no obligation to start the "first name change" and "gender registration change" procedures simultaneously but it facilitates the administration’s task