Northwest Territories

outline of the northwest territories with a blue circle

Northwest Territories

Gender Marker

You will need to submit different documents to change your gender marker depending on your age. The fee for this change is $33, plus a fee of $22 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:  

  • Have been born in the Northwest Territories    
  • Return all previously issued original birth certificates   

For adults (age 19 or over), follow the following steps:  

  1. Complete the change of sex designation form   
  2. Complete an application for certificate of birth/marriage/death   
  3. Provide a written statement from someone 19 or older who has known you for at least one year. This statement must be sworn to (or affirmed by) a Commissioner of Oaths, Justice of the Peace, or Notary Public (details on how to do so can be found here 
  4. Submit these documents mail, fax, or email to Vital Statistics  

For youth (age 16-18) living independently of their parents, follow the following steps:  

  1. Complete the change of sex designation form    
  2. Complete an application for certificate of birth/marriage/death 
  3. Provide a written statement from someone 19 or older who has known you for at least one year. This statement must be sworn to (or affirmed by) a Commissioner of Oaths, Justice of the Peace, or Notary Public  
  4. Provide a statement from a professional (physician, psychologist, registered nurse, nurse practitioner, or registered social worker) (note: they may be outside of the Northwest Territories)  
  5. Submit these documents mail, fax, or email to Vital Statistics 

For youth age 16-18 living with their parents, or youth age 15 or younger, follow the following steps:  

  1. Have a parent complete the change of sex designation form 
  2. Have a parent complete an application for certificate of birth/marriage/death 
  3. Write a statement sworn to (or affirmed by) a Commissioner of Oaths, Justice of the Peace, or Notary Public  
  4. Provide a statement from a professional (physician, psychologist, registered nurse, nurse practitioner, or registered social worker) (note: they may be outside of the Northwest Territories)  
  5. Submit these documents by mail, fax, or email to Vital Statistics

To change your gender on your driver’s license or general ID card, you must fill out the Driver License Application form provided by the Department of Infrastructure. You may select ‘M’, ‘F’, or ‘X’ as your gender. 

For driver’s licenses, you may renew or apply online or in person. For general ID cards, you must apply in person. 

Sources: 

NWT – Changing Sex DesignationNWT “X” Gender Announcement; Department of Infrastructure – Licenses and GICsNWT –  Gender Marker changes Driver and Vehicle Services 

Human Rights

Gender identity and gender expression are protected under the Human Rights Act. The Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission does not specifically define gender identity or gender expression, but it states that gender identity “includes transgendered persons and those who identify with or live as a gender that is different from their biological sex.”   

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 Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission.  

Source:   

Northwest Territories Human Rights Act; Northwest Territories Human Rights CommissionNorthwest Territories Human Rights Commission – Areas & Grounds. 

Name Change

You will need to submit different documents to change your name depending on your age. The fee for this change is $134.   

For all ages, you must meet the following requirements:  

  • Submit original birth certificates    
  • If you are over 19, be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or otherwise legally entitled to remain or live in Canada and a resident of the Northwest Territories for at least 3 months before submitting the application. If you are under 19, ensure your parent/guardian fits the same requirements.  

For adults (age 19 or older), follow the following steps:  

  1. Fill out a change of name package   
  2. Submit your application to the Registrar General of Vital Statistics 

For youth (age 18 or under), follow the following steps:  

  1. Have a parent or guardian fill out a change of name package   
  2. Get consent from all other parents/guardians 
  3. If you are 12 or older, compete a consent form   
  4. Submit your application to the Registrar General of Vital Statistics 

Sources: Northwest Territories Health and Social ServicesNWT Name Change Package.