What you need to know

Ontario has a Gender Identity Policy that aims to:

  • recognize and respect all transgender and non-binary people in Ontario, and
  • give all Ontarians access to identification that matches their gender identity

The policy also helps ensure that gender or sex information is collected or displayed by the Government of Ontario only when it is relevant or necessary, and that Ontarians can better understand why it is collected or displayed.

If you were born in Ontario

Your birth must be registered in Ontario in order to change your sex designation on an Ontario birth registration.

Ontario can only change the sex designation on birth registrations that it maintains and issue birth certificates reflecting the change.

Ontario does not issue Change of Sex Designation Certificates.

Change sex designation on Ontario birth registrations and certificates

Anyone with an Ontario birth registration may apply to change their sex designation on their birth registration so it matches with their gender identity. With supporting documents, you may request a change to your sex designation to F (female), M (male), or X (non-binary). You may also request a birth certificate that displays your updated sex designation (F, M, or X).

The process you follow to change your or your child’s sex designation will depend on your or your child’s age.

If you or your child are aged:

  • 15 or under, the parent will apply for the child
  • 16 or 17, you can choose to apply as an adult or as a child, or
  • 18 or older, you will apply as an adult

For an adult

  • born in Ontario
  • 16 years of age or older

Please complete the following forms:

Along with the forms, please provide:

  • a letter signed by a practicing physician or psychologist (including a psychological associate) authorized to practice in Canada, that includes the statements necessary to support your request (see Application cover sheet for instructions). In some cases, alternatives to the required letter may be acceptable
  • all previously issued birth certificates, birth certificates with parental information and certified copies of your birth registration
  • a completed Application form for a birth certificate, along with applicable fees

For a child

  • born in Ontario
  • 17 years of age or younger

Please complete the following forms:

Along with the forms, please provide:

  • a letter signed by a practicing physician or psychologist (including a psychological associate) authorized to practice in Canada, that includes the statements necessary to support the child’s requested change (see Application cover sheet for instructions). In some circumstances, alternatives to the required letter may be acceptable
  • all court orders (original or court-certified copies) or separation agreements that include information about custody status, access to the child, or provisions regarding the sex designation of the child
  • all previously issued birth certificates, birth certificates with parental information and certified copies of the child’s birth registration
  • an Application form for a birth certificate, along with applicable fees

Cost and delivery

Cost

  • changing your sex designation: $0 – limited-time fee waiver*
  • a birth certificate or birth certificate with parental information: $25
  • a certified copy of birth registration: $35

*The fee for changing your sex designation will be waived for applications received by October 31, 2022. After that period, the fee will be $37. Fees for birth certificates or a certified copy of birth registration issued as part of a change of sex designation remain in effect.

Delivery

If all of the application requirements are met, 6 to 8 weeks from the date the application is received to complete the change to your birth registration and issue your new certificate(s) by mail.

Mail

Mail your package of completed forms and supporting materials to:

Office of the Registrar General
189 Red River Road, P.O. Box 3000
Thunder Bay, Ontario
P7B 5W0

Photocopied or faxed forms to change sex designation will not be accepted. Original signed forms must be submitted.

Order a birth certificate with an X

If you or your child have previously changed a sex designation to X (non-binary) and would like to order a birth certificate displaying “X” in the sex designation field, you must submit the Request for a birth certificate form, along with applicable fees by mail or fax.

Mail or fax

Complete the Request for Birth Certificate form, and mail it to:

ServiceOntario
Office of the Registrar General
189 Red River Road, P.O. Box 4600
Thunder Bay, Ontario
P7B 6L8

Or, fax it to:
1-807-343-7459

Cost and delivery

Cost

Birth certificate or birth certificate with parental information

  • first time: $25
  • replacement: $35

Delivery

6 to 8 weeks

Note: A birth certificate with a sex designation of X is valid and recognized by the Government of Ontario. Ontario does not endorse the rejection of Ontario birth certificates; however, the Government of Ontario cannot guarantee that an Ontario birth certificate with a sex designation of X will be accepted by organizations in Ontario or by other jurisdictions.

Choose not to display the sex designation field on a birth certificate

Anyone with an Ontario birth registration also has the option to request a birth certificate that does not display the sex designation field. This option does not change your birth registration – it just means the sex designation field will not appear on the birth certificate.

You can request a birth certificate or a birth certificate with parental information that does not display the sex designation field by mail or fax.

Mail or fax

Complete the Request for Birth Certificate form, and mail it to:

ServiceOntario
Office of the Registrar General
189 Red River Road, P.O. Box 4600
Thunder Bay, Ontario
P7B 6L8

Or, fax it to:
1-807-343-7459

Cost and delivery

Cost

Birth certificate or birth certificate with parental information

  • first time: $25
  • replacement: $35

Delivery

6 to 8 weeks

Note: A birth certificate with no sex displayed is valid and recognized by the Government of Ontario. Ontario does not endorse the rejection of Ontario birth certificates; however, the Government of Ontario cannot guarantee that an Ontario birth certificate with no sex displayed will be accepted by organizations in Ontario or by other jurisdictions.

Accessibility help

If you require a form in an alternate format or with a communication support, please contact ServiceOntario:

Updated: July 22, 2021
Published: June 05, 2013