Alberta
Gender Marker
You will need to submit different documents to change your gender marker depending on your age. The fee for this change is $20. You will be allowed to change your gender marker even if you have not or do not plan on undergoing any gender affirmation surgery. You can change your gender marker to F, M, or X.
For all ages, you must meet the following requirements:
- Return any original birth certificates to be destroyed
For adults (age 18 and over), follow the following steps:
- Complete the request to amend a vital statistics registration form
- Sign the affidavit form before a Notary Public or Commissioner of Oaths
- Submit your application by mail to Vital Statistics, or hire a registry agent to complete the application for you
For youth (age 17 or younger), follow the following steps:
- Have your parent/guardian provide proof that they are your legal parent/guardian
- Complete the request to amend a vital statistics registration form
- Sign the affidavit form before a Notary Public or Commissioner of Oaths
- Provide consent form(s) filled out by all legal parents/guardians, and have the form(s) witnessed
- Fill a consent form providing your consent and have it witnessed
- If you are under the age of 12, get a statement from a professional supporting the application
- Submit your application by mail to Vital Statistics, or hire a registry agent to complete the application for you
For more information, please follow this step-by-step gender marker change guide
Driver’s License or Identification Card
To be eligible to change the gender marker on a Driver’s License or Identification Card, you must be:
- At least 18 years of age; OR
- Less than 18 years of age, but married or an adult interdependent partner; OR
- Less than 18 years of age, and providing both parents’ or legal guardians’ consent; OR
- Less than 18 years of age, and there is a court order dispensing with both parents’ or guardians’ legal consent.
There are three ways to change your gender marker on your Driver’s License or Identification Card. You must submit either:
- An amended birth certificate; OR
- An amended record of birth; OR
- An affidavit and a letter from a regulated medical professional.
For more information on how to submit an application, you must contact an Alberta Registry Agent Office. Affidavit and Consent forms may be found here.
Additional information about changing your name or gender marker on an ID in Alberta can be found in this pdf guide, courtesy of Skipping Stone.
Sources: Alberta Vital Statistics Act, Alberta Vital Statistics Information Regulation, Service Alberta – Change Sex Information, Alberta Government Announcement; Alberta Vital Statistics Act; O.C. 41/2015.
Human Rights
Gender is protected under the Alberta Human Rights Act. The Act defines gender identity as including “those who identify as male, female, and/or transgender.” The Act also has explicit protections on the basis of gender identity and gender expression, which are defined by the Alberta Human Rights Commission here. The Alberta Bill of Rights also has explicit protection for gender identity and gender expression. The Bill of Rights applies to how the provincial government can act, while the Human Rights Act applies to situations such as landlord, employer, or business discrimination. More details about these differences can be found here.
If you have been discriminated against due to your gender identity or gender expression in a way that is protected under the Alberta Human Rights Act, you can file a human rights complaint through the Alberta Human Rights Commission.
Source: Notice of Changes to Alberta’s Human Rights Legislation; Alberta Bill of Rights, Alberta Human Rights Act, Alberta Human Rights Commission; Bills of Rights in Canada.
Name Change
Only adults 18 or older, or who are married, widowed, divorced, living in an adult interdependent relationship, or the parent/guardian of a child can change their name in Alberta. The fee for this change is $120, plus any service fees for registry agents, fingerprinting fees, and criminal record check fees.
You must meet the following requirements:
- Be a resident of the province and remain one throughout the process
- Be able to provide valid ID
Follow the following steps:
- Go to a registry agent office to obtain and complete a change of name form
- Provide all required supporting documents
- Return all Canadian birth and marriage certificates
- Have your fingerprints taken
- You may be required to get a criminal record check, which you will need to pay for
- Take the completed forms and documentation to the registry agent office
Additional information about changing your name or gender marker on an ID in Alberta (including registry and fingerprint locations) can be found in this pdf guide, courtesy of Skipping Stone.