Applying for a passport if you’re transgender (HM Passport Office guidance)
Applying for a passport
Additional information for transgender and transsexual customers
We want everyone applying for a passport to be able to do so quickly and easily.
This leaflet gives some additional advice relating to the specific needs of our transgender and transsexual customers when applying for a passport so they don’t experience any undue delay.
Please read this leaflet in addition to the “Applying for a passport” guidance booklet provided with the passport application form.
Applying for your passport
You can apply for a passport in an acquired gender. This option is available to those who do not hold a Gender Recognition Certificate or have not had gender reassignment surgery, as well as those who have.
As with all passport applications, we need to confirm your identity to prevent identity fraud and verify that you are a British national. In some cases, to help complete your application, we may need to ask for further information compared to what is outlined in our guidance booklet.
Please see the following options:
You have a British passport in an acquired gender and want to renew it.
Please follow the passport renewal guidance in the “Applying for a passport” booklet and submit your old passport with your application. There are no differences to the standard document requirements.
You should fill in the application form using details relating to your acquired gender and reflect both your current name and any other previous names you have used in your acquired gender in section 2. You do not need to include any previous names in your birth gender.
Visit www.gov.uk for further information on renewing a passport.
You have a British passport in an acquired gender but want to change the name on your passport.
Please follow the guidance on changes in the “Applying for a passport” booklet and see section 2. There are no differences to the standard document requirements. You should submit your old passport with your application along with evidence of the new name you intend to use. Applying for a passport Additional information for transgender and transsexual customers
You should fill in the application form to reflect both your new name and any other previous names you have used in your acquired gender in section 2. You do not need to include any previous names in your birth gender.
Visit www.gov.uk for further information on name changes.
You have a valid British passport in your birth gender but wish to apply for a new one in an acquired gender.
Please follow the guidance on how to make changes to your existing passport in the “Applying for a passport” booklet.
You should select the “Changes to your existing passport – New Name” option under section 1, as we do not record gender change as a specific category on our application form.
Under section 2, you should complete the details relating to your acquired gender, but you will also need to include previous names used in your birth gender.
In addition to your old passport, you will need to include one of the following as part of your application:
- a birth or adoption certificate in your acquired gender
- a Gender Recognition Certificate
- a letter from your doctor or medical consultant confirming that your change of gender is likely to be permanent, and evidence of your change of name such as a deed poll.
Visit www.gov.uk for further information.
You have never previously held a British passport before and are applying for your first passport in an acquired gender.
Please follow the guidance on applying for your first British passport in the “Applying for a passport” booklet. The documents you need to provide with your application will differ depending on your circumstances.
If you have a full birth or adoption certificate (i.e one including details of your parents/adopted parents) in your acquired gender, you need to include this in line with advice in the guidance booklet, along with any other documents specified. There is no need to provide a birth or adoption certificate in your birth gender.
If you do not have, or cannot obtain, a full birth or adoption certificate in your acquired gender, you will need to include the following with your application:
- your full birth or adoption certificate in your birth gender so we are able to determine your right to British nationality,
- any other documents outlined in the guidance booklet and,
one of the following:
- a Gender Recognition Certificate
- a letter from your doctor or medical consultant confirming that your change of gender is likely to be permanent, and evidence of your change of name such as a deed poll.
When completing the application form, you should complete section 2 using the details relating to your acquired gender, but you will also need to include previous names used in your birth gender.
Visit www.gov.uk for further information.
Your passport and its delivery
Your passport will show your name and acquired gender as given on your passport application and will not make any reference to your birth gender or any previous name in your birth gender – this applies to both the passport book and the passport chip.
Your passport will be delivered by secure mail delivery to the name and address indicated on the application form at the time of your application.
For further information on delivery of your document, see the “Applying for a passport” booklet or visit www.gov.uk
Frequently asked questions
What happens to any previous record of my birth gender when I make an application for a passport in an acquired gender?
All records held by Her Majesty’s Passport Office are protected in line with the Data Protection Act. We have protections in place in our policy, systems and procedures to ensure any record relating to a previous gender is only made where absolutely necessary and such records are protected from inappropriate access or disclosure. This applies regardless of whether you have obtained a Gender Recognition Certificate or not.
This page contains some public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 