Friday, 25 October
Self-Determination Act: Hundreds of applications received by registry offices
In April, the Bundestag passed the new Self-Determination law that would make the process of changing your name and gender easier, with relatively few hurdles. Before the new law was passed, more than 1,200 applications were received by Berlin’s registry offices, according to a survey by the Germany Press Agency.
The easing of restrictions will primarily benefit transgender, intersex and non-binary individuals who previously had to go through a series of complicated and costly hurdles to officially have their gender and name entry changed. From November onwards, only a declaration will be sufficient, without the need to provide ‘expert’ opinions, medical certificates or court dates.
An applicant’s gender can be changed to female, male, diverse, or alternatively erased.
