The Ultimate Guide to Changing Sex Designations in Canada

The Ultimate Guide to Changing Sex Designations in Canada

The Ultimate Guide to Changing Sex Designations in Canada

In Canada, the recognition, respect and celebration of gender identities are fundamental aspects of building and improving our inclusive society. As we progress towards greater acceptance and understanding of diverse gender identities, the process of changing sex designations on Canadian birth certificates has become increasingly important and necessary. This post aims to shed light on the intricacies of this process and outline the steps you can take to align your legal identification with your true gender identity.

In this post, we’ll provide a comprehensive overview of the process of changing sex designations on Canadian birth certificates. We’ll dive into the reasons why this change is beneficial for the mental and emotional well-being of trans and non-binary folks, as well as how it contributes to their overall social recognition and inclusion. Additionally, we’ll guide you through the legal procedures, requirements, and documentation involved in this process.

We understand and uphold trans and non-binary people’s right to align their legal identification with their true gender identity, NotaryPro is here to support anybody looking for legal documentation necessary throughout this process.

What are Sex Designation Changes and Why Do They Matter?

The sex designation on your birth certificate is a little box that was checked when you were born based on your genitals. For a lot of folks, it doesn’t quite match who they  are once the ever-evolving world of gender begins to be explored.

Today, almost all provinces and territories allow M (male), F (female), or X (non-binary) to be checked off and for those wanting to change their sex designation, there is no prerequisite requirement of gender affirming surgery for this change.

It is worth noting that this process won’t change the sex designations on any other legal identity documents (such as driver’s licenses, passports, health cards), you can find more information about changing those documents at Justice Trans or on your province’s official website.

By legally recognizing trans and non-binary people’s affirmed gender through sex designation changes, they can have validating experiences and feel accepted in many aspects of life, including education, employment, healthcare, and interactions with government agencies. These changes also hold significant social and psychological benefits. Having documentation that is properly aligned with one’s gender identity can contribute to the mental well-being and self-esteem of trans and non-binary individuals, fostering a sense of belonging.

This change is not necessary for your transition or gender identity to be respected and celebrated but if this is a step you are interested in taking, NotaryPro is here to guide you through the process.

Two fists side by side with LGBTQIA+ written in rainbow colours across the knuckles.
Photo by Alexander Grey, taken in 2020, sourced from Unsplash.

Key Terms

There are a few words these forms love to use but that don’t make much sense for non-legal geniuses or robots. Here’s a little list to make sure none of the terms confuse you:

  • Parentage: Your parentage is the identity and origins of your parents. Ex: If you are of Italian parentage, it means your parents are Italian
  • Vital Statistics: Vital statistics is all data gathered on live births, deaths, migration, foetal deaths, marriages and divorces. When you send your application to Vital Statistics, this is the provincial office that collects the information
  • Photo ID Options: drivers licence, health card, passport

How to Change the Sex Designation on Your Birth Certificate in Canada

Each province has put together their own system for changing sex designations on birth certificates. These methods differ in required information, age restrictions and price points when ordering the new birth certificate.

Changing Your Sex Designation in British Columbia

To change your gender marker on your birth certificate, the required documents differ based on age. The cost for this change is $27, with an additional $27-$60 for a new birth certificate. Gender affirmation surgery is not a prerequisite for this process, and you have the option to choose F (female), M (male), or X (non-binary) as your gender marker. For all ages, you are required to return your original birth certificate along with your application.

For adults and minors (12 years and older), follow these steps:

For minors (12 years and younger), follow these steps:

Changing Your Sex Designation in Alberta

Depending on your age, different documents will be required to change your gender marker, and the fee for this process is $20. Regardless of whether you plan on undergoing gender affirmation surgery or not, you have the freedom to change your gender marker to F, M, or X. Everyone going through this process will need to return any previously issued birth certificates for destruction along with the completed application.

For adults (18 years and older), follow these steps:

For youth (17 years and younger), follow these steps:

Changing Your Sex Designation in Saskatchewan

To change your gender marker in Saskatchewan, the required documents vary depending on both your place of birth and current residence. The process entails a $20 fee, along with an additional $35-$40 fee to receive a new birth certificate with your updated gender marker. Gender affirmation surgery is not a prerequisite for this change and you will be given the option to alter the gender marker to F, M, or X, or even remove it altogether, based on your true identity. Saskatchewan has taken a slightly different approach compared to other provinces, requiring signing from a physician or psychologist. Feel free to visit this site for more information about trans-inclusive care in Saskatchewan.

For all ages, follow these steps:

Changing Your Sex Designation in Manitoba

In Manitoba, a fee of $60 covers a new birth certificate. No gender affirmation surgery is required to make this change, and you can freely choose to identify as F, M, or X, according to your true self. To be eligible for the change, you must have been born in Manitoba, regardless of where you currently live, and return any previously issued birth certificates. If you weren’t born in Manitoba, you can still apply for a change of sex designation certificate, although a birth certificate change won’t be possible in that case. To obtain a new birth certificate, you can follow the application process from the province or territory you were born in.

For all ages, follow these steps:

Changing Your Sex Designation in Ontario

Anyone born in Ontario has the option to change their sex designation to M, F, or X by completing a few different documents. Changing your dex designation is free in Ontario but a fee of $25-$35 applies when ordering a copy of your birth registration. All applicants will need to return their previously issued birth certificates.

For adults (16 years and older), follow these steps:

For youth (15 years and younger), follow these steps

Changing Your Sex Designation in Quebec

This change is free as of June 17, 2022 if it is your first time changing your gender marker, or if you have previously changed your gender marker to M or F and now wish to change it to X. Otherwise, the fee for this change is $144. You will be allowed to change your gender marker even if you have not or do not plan on undergoing any gender affirmation surgery. As of June 17, 2022, you can change your gender marker to F, M, or X.

For adults (18 years and older), follow these steps:

For youth (between 14 and 17), follow these steps:

  • Complete this Application to Change Sex Designation yourself
    • OR
  • Have a parent or guardian complete this Application to Change Sex Designation
  • Include a letter from a physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, sexologist or social worker declaring that the information is accurate and that changing your birth certificate is appropriate
  • Submit all necessary documents listed in the application by mail or in person to the office of the Directeur de l’État Civil

For youth (under 14 years of age), follow these steps:

  • Have a parent or guardian complete this Application to Change Sex Designation
  • Include a letter from a physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, sexologist or social worker declaring that the information is accurate and that changing your birth certificate is appropriate
  • Submit all necessary documents listed in the application by mail or in person to the office of the Directeur de l’État Civil

Changing Your Sex Designation in New Brunswick

There is no fee for changing your gender marker, and you are welcome to do so without any requirements for gender affirming surgery. You will have the option to change your gender marker to F, M, or X. To be eligible, you must have been born in New Brunswick or currently reside in the province. If you are 15 years old or under, you can also qualify by living with a parent in New Brunswick.

For adults (16 years and older), follow these steps:

  • Complete this Change of Sex Designation Form
  • This form requires both a written statement from you and from a health professional confirming your gender identity
  • Submit all required documents (including any previous birth certificates) by mail or in person, to Vital Statistics

For youth (15 years and younger), follow these steps:

  • Complete this Change of Sex Designation
  • If you are 12 or older, provide a written statement confirming you gender identity, make sure to have this statement witnessed
  • Provide a statement from a physician or psychologist confirming your informed decision to change your gender identity.
  • Submit all required documents (including any previous birth certificates) by mail or in person, to Vital Statistics

Changing Your Sex Designation in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia allows a change of sex designation on your birth certificate to M, F or X without any charge. Everybody going through this process needs to either have been born in Nova Scotia or have been a resident for at least three months. If you were born in Nova Scotia, you’ll need to submit your previously issued birth certificate along with your application. If you were born in Canada but outside of Nova Scotia, a proof of residency along with your previous birth certificate will both be required with the application.

For adults (16 years and older), follow these steps:

For youth (15 years and younger), follow these steps:

  • Have a parent or guardian complete Change of Sex Indicator – Youth
    • This form will require a written statement from a doctor or psychologists along with consent from all parents and/or guardians
  • Submit all required documents in person or by mail to Vital Statistics

Changing Your Sex Designation in Prince Edward Island

In PEI, the associated fee for this change is $25, and an additional fee of $25-35 is applicable if you require a new birth certificate. Importantly, you can change your gender marker to F, M, or X without the necessity of undergoing gender affirmation surgery. To be eligible for the change, you must have been born in PEI and have resided in the province for a minimum of three months before submitting your application.

For adults (18 years and older), follow these steps:

  • Complete the Change of Sex Designation Application
    • This form requires a statement from you, confirming your gender identity, as well as a statement from a medical practitioner confirming the same
  • Along with the completed application, you’ll need to send a copy of your government issued photo ID, your provincial health card and your previously issued birth certificate
  • Send all of these documents to Vital Statistics, by mail or in person

For youth (17 years and younger), follow these steps:

  • Have a parent complete this Sex Designation Change – Minor
    • The form will require written consent from you (if you’re 12 or older), all parents and/or guardians, and a statement form a medical practitioner confirming your gender identity
  • Along with the completed application, you’ll need to send a copy of your parent’s government issued photo ID, your provincial health card and your previously issued birth certificate
  • Send all of these documents to Vital Statistics, by mail or in person

Changing Your Sex Designation in Newfoundland and Labrador

There is a fee for the change but receiving a new birth certificate will cost between $30-35. No gender affirmation surgery is required to make this change, and you can freely choose to identify as F, M, or X, according to your true self. To be eligible for the change, you must have been born in Newfoundland and Labrador, and return any previously issued birth certificates.

For adults (16 years and older), follow these steps:

For youth (15 years and younger)

  • Have a parent or guardian complete this Change of Sex Designation Form
    • This will include written consent from you (if you’re older than 12), all parents and guardians, and a letter from a healthcare professional
  • Submit these documents (your application and previously issued birth certificates) to Vital Statistics by mail, in person or online

Changing Your Sex Designation in Yukon

The fee for this change is $10 with an additional $10 to receive a new birth certificate. You will be given the option to change your gender marker to M, F, or X with or without plans to undergo any gender affirmation surgery. The only requirement you must meet is to have been born in Yukon.

For adults (16 years and older), follow these steps:

For youth (15 years and younger), follow these steps:

  • Have a parent or guardian complete this Change of Sex Registration Form
    • This form will include consent from you, all parents and/or guardians and from a confirming adult (social worker, counsellor, Chief etc…)
  • Submit your application by mail or in person to Vital Statistics

Changing Your Sex Designation in Northwest Territories

Anybody going through this process will need to have been born in the Northwest Territories and return any previously issued birth certificates. The fee for this change is $33, and a fee of $22 to receive a new birth certificate. You will be given the option to change your gender marker to F, M or X.

For adults (19 years and older), follow these steps:

  • Complete the following forms:
  • You will need to provide a written statement from someone above 19 who has known you for at least one year, this statement will need to be sworn to or affirmed by a Commissioner of Oaths or Notary Public (we can help you with that!)
  • Submit all required documents by mail, fax or email to Vital Statistics

For independent youth (16 – 18 living away from their parents/guardians), follow these steps:

  • Complete the following forms:
  • You will need to provide a written statement from someone above 19 who has known you for at least one year, this statement will need to be sworn to or affirmed by a Commissioner of Oaths or Notary Public (we can help you with that!)
  • Provide a statement from a professional (physician, social worker, nurse, psychologist)
  • Submit all required documents by mail, fax, or email to Vital Statistics

For youth (18 years and younger, living with their parents) follow these steps:

Changing Your Sex Designation in Nunavut

Unfortunately, as of August 4th, 2023, it is still unclear how Two Spirit, trans, and non-binary folks can change their sex designation on birth certificates. For more information on actions you can take and updates as legislation evolves, visit Justice Trans – Nunavut .

Bonus Tips

There are a couple points that apply to this process regardless of your province and this little list is to ensure you are all set to embark on this adventure:

  • Have your previously issued birth certificate ready to return with your application package
  • Be ready to provide a written statement from a medical professional
  • If you’re a minor, know that your parents or guardians will need to provide their consent. If this isn’t possible, there are usually work-arounds explained on the application, for example making an application to the court to dispense with the consent of a parent
Person holding a sign with “Hello, my pronouns are” written in rainbow colours with blank space provided for pronouns
Photo by Alexander Grey, taken in 2020, sourced from Unsplash

Additional Resources

Get Sex Change Designation Documents Notarized with Ease

We hope that our comprehensive guide to changing the sex designation on a Canadian birth certificate, has made this extremely personal, important, and meaningful process a little less confusing. It’s important to note that whether you decide to make this change, your identity is still worthy of respect, celebration and safety.

Many of the documents listed above must be notarized or commissioned by an authorized official, like a notary public. At NotaryPro, we can notarize your documents online from the comfort of your home or office — in under 7 minutes. Schedule an online notary appointment today , and see just how easy notarization can be!

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