United Kingdom Gender Recognition Act
Under the Gender Recognition Act, trans people who experience severe gender variance, and have medical treatment for the condition, may apply to the Gender Recognition Panel(GRP) for a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC). The GRC then entitles them to recognition of the gender stated on that certificate “for all purposes”.
Where the person's birth was originally registered in the UK, the GRC may be used to obtain a new birth certificate. Those seeking a change of gender status must provide the GRP with evidence of a diagnosis of persistent gender dysphoroa, and must convince it of their intention to live in the new role for the rest of their lives. This is a paper exercise and does not require the applicant to appear in person. Details of medical treatment and relevant dates are required. Genital surgery is not a requirement, although where it has taken place, applicants must supply details.
More than 2000 certificates have been issued thus far and the number is rising rapidly.
Qualification
The distinctions between those who qualify for GRCs and those who do not, are not necessarily medical. Trans individuals who are legally married, and do not wish to dissolve that marriage, are not permitted to have a GRC. An Interim GRC of 6 months duration may be obtained, but it confers no legal rights and serves only as a way of dissolving a marriage recorded in the United Kingdom, whereupon it may be converted immediately to a full GRC. There are now moves to change this (see here for the Equality and Human Rights Commission position on this matter).
Marriage and Civil Partnerships
The GRC gives trans people the right to marry someone of the opposite sex, and to have a civil partnership with someone of the same sex (Civil Partnership Act, 2004). The trauma that accompanies the requirement to annul a marriage (or disolve a civil partnership) before a GRC can be issued has been recognised by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Their discussion of this and their recommendations to change the law may be found here.
Your Gender Recognition Certificate
Gender Recognition Certificates are issued by the Gender Recognition Panel part of the Tribual Service.
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