Gender Recognition Act 2015
Irish legislation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
On 15 July 2015, the Irish Oireachtas passed the Gender Recognition Act 2015 (Irish: An tAcht um Inscne a Aithint, 2015), which permits adult Irish citizens to apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate[1] to update their legal name and gender. The application can only be used to change gender between male and female, as nonbinary identities are not legally recognized.[2]
Application process
The GRC certificate can then be used to change personal details on any professional, personal, or legal documentation. The law does not require any medical intervention by the applicant, nor an assessment by medical professionals, and is free of charge.[3]
Applicants must first fill out an GRC1 form, and have it witnessed by either a peace commissioner, notary public, solicitor, or commissioner of oaths. After which the form must be posted to the Department of Social Protection, along with a copy of valid photo ID, original birth certificate or adoption certificate or original Foreign Birth Register Certificate. For applicants born outside of the Republic of Ireland proof of residency for twelve months before the application date is also required.[4]
Gender recognition for minors
Applicants under the age of 16 are currently not allowed. For those aged 16 to 17 years they must secure a court order to exempt them from the normal age requirement. This is often done through consensual parental support, but can also be accomplished with a letter of support from a GP or endocrinologist.[5]
In November 2019 a proposed review from the Department of Social Protection advised for an easier pathway for applicants ages 16 to 17,[6] although this has not passed into law yet.
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