Gender Change on Ontario, Canada, Birth Certificate Without GRS/SRS

[Beth-Lock]

As of October 5, 2012, this has now come into effect, as discussed in the now closed thread, "Having Male Parts No Longer Blocks Being a Woman Legally in Ontario, Canada"

Your Ontario Birth Certificate can be changed, but two documents are needed, as well as your having reached the age of 18.

1 Statutory declaration made and signed by you, testifying that you identify with the new gender, and have always felt that you were of that gender, etc.

2 A Form/letter to be filled out by your doctor.

In short, that is good news since a birth certifcate is needed for a passport, and for other uses.

[Nigella]

That is good news, its a pity that here in the UK, whilst the same sort of criteria applies, they insist on divorce or annulment of a marriage to be fully recognised as female. For me that is too high a price to pay.

[sandra-leigh]

And have always felt that you were of that gender? Uggh. That's disturbing: some of us are a bit slow to catch on to what our feelings mean.

[I Am Paula]

Canada is ahead of the pack on quite a few issues. All of us girls felt alot of relief (pun intended) when we passed the bathroom law. (use the one for the gender you're presenting). They were one of the first with equal rights and protection. Gay marriage, gay and transgender adoption, topless women (I have yet to see one). We're on the right track at least.-Celeste

[Rianna Humble]

That is good news, its a pity that here in the UK, whilst the same sort of criteria applies, they insist on divorce or annulment of a marriage to be fully recognised as female. For me that is too high a price to pay.

That will probably change over here in the next three to four years if the so-called "civil marriage" bill gets passed. Until that time there are a shedload of similar anomalies in our system. I know of a same-sex couple who are both transitioning. They will have to dissolve their civil partnership until both GRC's have been issued then re-constitute it :eek:

[Babeba]

That is good news, its a pity that here in the UK, whilst the same sort of criteria applies, they insist on divorce or annulment of a marriage to be fully recognised as female. For me that is too high a price to pay.

That is ********. Absolutely ridiculous!

Aren't same sex unions if some sort recognized?

[Rianna Humble]

We are straying a little from the original post, but to answer your question, here in the UK, we have something called a "civil partnership" for same sex couples.

Once Nigella is officially recognised as female then under current legislation she cannot remain "married" to Sandra as "marriage" is currently defined as one man with one woman. So to avoid creating a same-sex "marriage" she would have to first divorce or annul the marriage, then get her Gender Recognition Certificate, then enter into a "civil partnership" which is seen as a lesser link than marriage.

The irony is that different sex couples are not allowed a civil partnership, so if one member of a same-sex couple transitions, they have to dissolve the partnership then marry after the GRC is issued. If both transition, then they have to dissolve whilst each gets their GRC and re-constitute afterwards.

Who said the mad hatter was crazy?

Getting back to the OP, it seems that Ontario is leading the way, Let's hope the old country follows suit this century.

[Babeba]

Ugh, that's horrible! I hate it when ridiculous rules get in the way of life being led as normally as possible.

Beth,

I am assuming because it is a change in birth certificate, you have to be from ON originally? What about people who moved there from other provinces/countries?

[sandra-leigh]

I am assuming because it is a change in birth certificate, you have to be from ON originally? What about people who moved there from other provinces/countries?

It gets complicated, it seems to me.

A change in legal name gets reflected on the birth certificate. I was born in Ontario, but only people who have been resident in Ontario for at least one year immediately prior to the name change request can use the Ontario name change request forms. Because I live in Manitoba, I have to fill out the Manitoba forms; Manitoba does its processing according to its own rules, and upon Manitoba approval, Manitoba notifies Ontario to change its records.

If the same procedures apply for gender change, then in order to do a gender change I would have to apply to Manitoba. Which doesn't have the same easy laws.

However, if that is the case, then the implication would be that those born in other provinces who have moved to Ontario and lived there for an appropriate time period, could apply in Ontario to have the birth certificate amendment, which Ontario would then notify the original province or territory about.

[Beth-Lock]

Further docs and paraphrases of the new forms:

* The Ontario office has not told me in so many words that the old forms and method is not still accepted, but when I requested the old form that was not included in the package received from GRS Montreal, Form 11123 or something, they sent me a set of the new forms.* From that I can assume that they want me to complete the new forms.* That would be a bit expensive.* I will ask for clarification.

* One of the forms they sent me was Form 11325.Application for a change of Sex Designation on a Birth registration.* You must send them the following docs:

1) This first page of the form, plus C$37 money,

2) and the second page of the form, entitled:* Statutory Declaration by a Person for a Change of sex designation on a Birth Registration, which must be notarized and accompanied by docs completed by a physician or psychologist,

The applicant certifying: -I have assumed (or have always had) the gender identity .. I now request
and - I am living full-time in that gender identity and intend to maintain that gender identity

3) all previously issued birth certificates and certified copies of birth registration, (same as before)

4) a completed Request for Birth Certificate, Form 11076E. There are some complications, and page 2 of this form does not seem to be suited for a change of gender.
and fill out a page requiring a statement of a guarantor ----This form is available on line via www.serviceontario.ca

*5) either: a letter on the letterhead of a medical professional, (psychologist or physician) to certify:
- the applicant (patient) has been treated by the professional
- the applicant's gender identity does not accord with the sex designation on the applicant's birth registration
- the professional is of the opinion that a change of sex designation on the birth certificate is appropriate

OR if the applicant is out of the Prov. of Ont., a similar document, plus
a physicians certificate under the Vital Statistics Act.
In the latter cases, approval is subject to individual review.

[Brittany North]

Thanks for the update Beth-Lock. It seems... excessively complicated... but that's the gubbmint for you. If you get clarification, let us know :)

[Beth-Lock]

Thanks for the update Beth-Lock. It seems... excessively complicated... but that's the gubbmint for you. If you get clarification, let us know :)

I was more or less quoting or paraphrasing from the forms I was sent. This is the gospel truth, the straight goods, etc., even if it is a bit raw and undigested.

I contacted GRS Montreal, (Dr. Brassard's office), and it was the first they had heard of it. I think it just means new forms for them to fill out, instead of the old ones. It also means you can change the gender on your birth certificate, if you are under the care of gender counselling, before/without SRS/GRS. The requirements are not difficult to meet at all.

It is a big victory for our community. What a Thanksgiving/Christmas gift! One hopes other jurisdictions will follow this example.