You can apply to the minister for social protection on your own behalf to change your gender if you are over the age of 18 years. You do not need to apply to court for this.
Information on applying for a Gender Recognition Certificate and revised Birth Certificate >
Court applications concerning gender recognition
You need to apply to the Circuit Court about gender recognition if you need to:
Apply for an exemption if under 18 years of age
You may apply to have your preferred gender legally recognised if you are aged sixteen or seventeen.
In this situation, your parent or guardian can apply to the Circuit Court to exempt you from the age restriction. They must apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate on your behalf.
Your parent or guardian must also submit documentation from your medical practitioner, and a psychiatrist or endocrinologist to support your application.
The Circuit Court Rules set out the process that must be followed.
Circuit Court forms required include:
- Form 37P - Notice of Motion
- Form 37Q - Grounding Affidavit
- Form 37S - Certificate of Medical Practitioner
- Form 37T - Certificate of Endocrinologist or Psychiatrist
If you are younger than sixteen you cannot have your preferred gender legally recognised.
Applying for a Gender Recognition Certificate can be complicated. Your parent or guardian might want to get legal advice to better understand what's involved.
More information on legal advice and representation >
There are also a number of support services that may be able to help you.
Apply to reverse your decision if under 18 years of age
If you are aged sixteen or seventeen, hold a Gender Recognition Certificate and you want to revert to your original gender, your parent or guardian can apply to the Circuit Court to reverse your decision.
Your parent or guardian must also submit documentation from your medical practitioner, and a psychiatrist or endocrinologist to support your application.
The Circuit Court Rules set out the process that must be followed.
Circuit Court forms required include:
- Form 37P - Notice of Motion
- Form 37Q - Grounding Affidavit
- Form 37U - Certificate of Medical Practitioner
- Form 37V - Certificate of Endocrinologist or Psychiatrist
Applying to revoke your Gender Recognition Certificate can be complicated. Your parent or guardian might want to get legal advice to better understand what's involved.
More information on legal advice and representation >
There are also a number of support services that may be able to help you.
Appeal a decision of the Minister
You can appeal specific gender recognition decisions made by the Minister, whatever age you are. If you are over eighteen years of age, you can appeal to the Circuit Court on your own behalf. If you are aged sixteen or seventeen, your parent or guardian must apply to the Circuit Court for you.
Decisions of the Minister that can be appealed include:
- Refusal to grant a Gender Recognition Certificate
- Decision to revoke a Gender Recognition Certificate
- Refusal to revoke a Gender Recognition Certificate
- Refusal to fix a clerical error or error of fact on a Gender Recognition Certificate
Appeals must be made within ninety days of the Minister's decision, or the notice being given to you. However, a judge may grant a longer time period to appeal if they find good and sufficient reason to do so.
The Circuit Court Rules set out the process that must be followed.
Circuit Court forms required include:
Appealing a decision of the Minister can be complicated. You might want to get legal advice to better understand what's involved.
More information on legal advice and representation >
There are also a number of support services that may be able to help you.