Gender reassignment

What is it?

If you have changed your gender, you can have this updated in the Personal Records Database (BRP). You can change your gender from 'male' to 'female', or vice versa.

Reporting a gender change is free of charge. However, you should take into account the costs of renewing your passport, identity card, and/or driver's license. These will no longer be valid after you report your gender change.

How does it work?

There are four steps:

  1. arrange a statement of competence
  2. make an appointment with the civil registry office in your place of birth (or in The Hague)
  3. apply for a new ID card or passport
  4. inform other agencies

What should I do?

Make an appointment to report a change of gender on your birth certificate at the municipality where you were born. During this appointment, you can immediately indicate which first name(s) you would like to have from now on. From the age of 16, the declaration can be made without the consent of the parent(s) or guardian(s).

No Dutch nationality

If you do not have Dutch nationality, you can only submit the request if you have a valid residence permit and have been living in the Netherlands for at least one year. If your birth certificate is not registered in the civil registry in the Netherlands, you must report this to the civil registrar of the municipality of The Hague.

What do I need?

  • your valid proof of identity
  • statement (not older than six months) from a designated expert from one of the following bodies:
    • the Knowledge and Care Center for Gender Dysphoria at VU Medical Center in Amsterdam
    • the Gender Team at the University Medical Center Groningen in Groningen
    • The Gender Team at Leiden University Medical Center in Leiden

How long will it take?

You will immediately receive a printout of the change.

Additional information

Notify other authorities

All authorities that have access to the Personal Records Database (BRP) are automatically notified of any change of gender and any change of first names. They will then update your details accordingly. This applies to:

  • health insurer
  • pension fund
  • Social Insurance Bank
  • Tax Authority
  • National Road Transport Authority
  • UWV

You must change your personal data yourself at agencies and companies that do not have access to the BRP. Examples include:

  • bank
  • insurance company
  • associations and foundations
  • subscriptions
  • family doctor
  • dentist
  • hospital
  • payroll administration

Please note that certain companies will request a copy of your new ID card or passport.

Foreign passport

A foreign birth certificate does not change when you change your details in the Netherlands in accordance with the Transgender Act. This means that your foreign passport cannot be changed here either. An exception applies to persons with Spanish nationality.

Information about how this is regulated in other countries can be requested from Transgender Europe.

Not being able to change a foreign passport can cause many problems, for example with identification or signing contracts.

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