Gender Recognition Act 2004
The Gender Recognition Act 2004 provides a mechanism for transsexual people to apply for legal recognition of their acquired gender. The Act came into force across the UK on 4 April 2005.
You can access the Gender Recognition Act 2004 and Explanatory Notes using the links below.
http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2004/20040007.htm
http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/en2004/2004en07.htm
Gender Recognition Panel
The Act establishes the Gender Recognition Panel. The Panel, made up of legal and medical members, decides about applications for gender recognition certificates. Before issuing a certificate, the Panel must be satisfied that the person applying:
- has, or has had, gender dysphoria; and
- has lived in the acquired gender for two years before the date of the application.
For full details of the process of gender recognition, along with application forms and guidance, see the Gender Recognition Panel website http://www.grp.gov.uk
The contact details of the Panel are:
Gender Recognition Panel
PO Box 6987
Leicester
LE1 6ZX
Telephone: 0845 355 5155
E-mail: grpenquiries@tribunals.gsi.gov.uk
Gender recognition and birth registration
You can find information on the General Register Office for Scotland website - see link below - about how the Act operates in Scotland in relation to the registration of births.
http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/regscot/gender-recognition.html