Self-determination law

Any person can change their gender entry in the civil status register and their first name(s).
In the case of minors, the involvement of the legal representative(s) is required; in the case of persons under guardianship, the involvement of the guardian and the guardianship court is required.

The following gender entries are possible:

• male
• female
• diverse
• without entry

You can register your wish for a change at the registry office where the declaration is to be made at least three and no more than six months before the declaration.

If you are a foreign national who

• has an unlimited right of residence or
• has a renewable residence permit and is legally resident in Germany or
• holds an EU Blue Card,

you can submit the declaration.

Please note!

• By submitting the declaration, you must confirm that the chosen gender entry or the deletion of the gender entry best corresponds to your gender identity and that you are aware of the consequences of the declaration.
• The new first name(s) must correspond to the desired gender entry.
• A new declaration is not permitted before one year has passed since the effective declaration was made (exception: for minors or persons with a guardian).
• If you wish to enter "diverse" or no gender, please refer to Art. 2 SBGG (§ 4 Passgesetz-neu).

Please register the desired declarations regarding the change of gender entry and first name(s) electronically using the form at the registry office where you wish to submit the declaration. You will then receive a confirmation of receipt.

The declarations can be made in person at the registry office at the earliest three months and at the latest six months after registration.

The registry office that holds your birth entry (or, in the absence of such an entry, your marriage entry) is responsible for the effective receipt of the declaration. If no German civil status register is kept for you, your local registry office is responsible.

The competent registry office will issue a certificate of the declaration or a new birth and/or marriage certificate on request.

Please note that you must apply for new  identity documents (opens in a new tab) immediately after the effective change of name

For the declarations on the change of the gender entry and the first name(s), please submit

• valid identity card, passport or travel document
• for foreign nationals: valid residence permit
• Original of the registration of a declaration in accordance with the Self-Determination Act, if this was submitted electronically
• extended registration certificate for residence outside Stuttgart if no German birth or marriage register is available
• currently issued certified copy from the birth register, alternatively birth certificate and certificate of the last declaration of change of gender entry and first names, if applicable
• if no German birth register is available: currently issued certified copy from the marriage or civil partnership register, alternatively marriage or civil partnership certificate and certificate of the last declaration of change of gender entry and first names, if applicable
• Current birth certificate of children, if applicable

The registry office will communicate directly with the person concerned whether further documents are required in individual cases or questions need to be clarified.

Certificate for the legal declaration of name, if this was notarized by another German registry office.

Costs: 20 Euro

Legal basis: § 5 para. 1 PStG-DVO

Declaration under naming law

Costs: 40 euros

Legal basis: § 5 Para. 1 PStG-DVO

•  SBGG (opens in a new tab)
• § Section 5 (opens in a new tab) of the Ordinance of the Ministry of the Interior on the Implementation of the Civil Status Act (PStG-DVO) in conjunction with  Annex 1 (opens in a new tab)