Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador

Gender Marker

You will need to submit different documents to change your gender marker depending on your age. There is no fee for this change, but there is a fee of $30-35 to receive a new birth certificate. 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:  

  • Be born in Newfoundland and Labrador 
  • Return all previous birth certificates along with your application 

For adults (age 16 or older), follow the following steps:  

  1. Complete the change of sex designation form 
  2. Write a statement confirming your gender identity  
  3. Submit these documents by mail, in person, or online to Vital Statistics 

For youth (age 15 or younger), follow the following steps:  

  1. Have a parent or guardian fill out the change of sex designation form   
  2. Get signed consent from any other parent(s) or guardian(s), or a Request for Waiver of Consent/Statutory Declaration.  
  3. If you are 12 or older, write a statement consenting to the change 
  4. Have a parent or guardian write a statement confirming your gender identity 
  5. Get a letter of support from a healthcare professional (they can be a physician, psychologist, nurse practitioner, registered nurse, or social worker) 
  6. If you are under 12, get a second letter from another healthcare professional 
  7. Submit these documents by mail, in person, or online to Vital Statistics 

Sources:   

Service NL – Birth, Marriage & DeathService NLService NL – Changing Your Sex Designation 

Human Rights

Gender identity and gender expression are protected under the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Act. The Act defines gender identity as “an individual’s deeply felt internal and individual experience of gender” and gender expression as “the external attributes, behaviour, appearance, dress, etc by which people express themselves and through which others perceive that person’s gender.”   

If you have been discriminated against due to your gender identity or gender expression in a way that is protected under this Act, you can file a complaint with the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission.  

Source:  Newfoundland & Labrador Human Rights ActNewfoundland & Labrador Guidelines re: Gender Identity and Gender ExpressionNewfoundland & Labrador Human Rights Commission. 

Name Change

You will need to submit different documents to change your name depending on your age. The fee for this change is $100.   

For all ages, you must meet the following requirements:  

  • Have been a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador for a minimum of three months   
  • Submit all previously issued original birth certificates   

For adults (age 16 or older), follow the following steps:  

  1. Complete the name change application form   
  2. Submit the completed application and documents to Vital Statistics   

For youth (age 15 or under), follow the following steps:  

  1. Complete the name change application form   
  2. Provide proof of consent from your other parent/guardian. Where that is not possible, fill out a request to waive this requirement    
  3. If you are 12 or older, give written consent to the change 
  4. Submit the completed application and documents to Vital Statistics   

Sources: Service NL – Legal Name Change