Self-determination law

On November 1, 2024, the so-called Self-Determination Act (SBGG - Gesetz über die Selbstbestimmung in Bezug auf den Geschlechtseintrag) came into force. It replaces the previous "Transsexuals Act".

The SBGG makes it easier to change your name and gender entry in future. You can already make an appointment for this at Dept. of Official Name Changes | City of Erlangen.

Frequently asked questions about the Self-Determination Act

How can I register the change of my gender entry and my first names?

You can register in person or in writing. According to the law, there must be three months between registering at the registry office and the date for submitting the declaration. The declaration must then be made in person at the registry office. If no declaration is made, the registration becomes invalid after 6 months.

The registration and the declaration must be made at the same registry office. The registry office in Erlangen can be contacted by email at: nachbeurkundungen@stadt.erlangen.de

Persons residing abroad must register at the registry office where they last registered their place of residence in Germany. The declaration is then submitted to the German diplomatic mission abroad in the respective country.

How much does it cost to change my gender entry and my first names?

The declaration at the registry office costs €30 or €60 if the parents are involved in the case of minors.

What changes are possible to the gender entry?

The gender entry in the civil status register can be changed as follows: female male, diverse or without entry.

What changes are possible to the name?

When changing the gender entry from female to male or from male to female, the first name must be adapted to the chosen gender entry.

If you choose the gender entry "male", you can choose first names that are assigned to the male gender or are not assigned to a specific gender:

• First names that are assigned to the male gender such as "Markus", "Stanislaw" etc. are therefore possible, but also first names that can be assigned to both the male and female gender such as "Eike", "Toni", "Kim", "Kai" etc. as well as the combination of such a first name with a first name that is clearly assigned to a male gender, i.e. "Kim Markus", "Toni Stefan", "Eike Karsten" etc.
• However, a first name that clearly contradicts the gender entry, such as "Claudia", "Anastasia" etc., as well as a combination of clearly male and clearly female first names, such as "Markus Sabine", "Stefan Claudia" etc., would not be possible.

Anyone who chooses the gender entry "female" can choose first names that are assigned to the female gender or are not assigned to a specific gender.

• It is therefore possible to choose first names that are assigned to the female gender, such as "Claudia" or Anastasia", but also first names that can be assigned to both the male and female gender, such as "Eike", "Toni", "Kim", "Kai", etc., as well as the combination of such a first name with a first name that is clearly assigned to the female gender, i.e. "Kim Anastasia", "Toni Stefanie", "Eike Marina", etc.
• However, first names clearly assigned to the male gender, such as "Markus", "Stefan", etc., would not be possible, not even in combination with a first name assigned to the female gender, such as "Sabine Markus", "Claudia Stefan", etc.

The number of first names does not have to be identical to the previous number of first names. A maximum of 5 first names can be entered. A single name may be replaced by a hyphenated name.

Anyone who chooses the gender entry "diverse" or has the gender entry deleted has a free choice.

What rules apply to minors?

• In the case of children under the age of 5, the person with custody or the legal representative submits the declarations to change the gender entry and the first names. The child does not have to be present in person.
• For children between the ages of 6 and 14, the persons with custody or legal representation make the declarations to change the gender entry and first names, but the minor must be present in person at the registry office when the declaration is made and consent to the change.
• From the age of 14, the declaration to change the gender entry and the first names can be made by the person themselves. The persons with custody (e.g. parents, legal guardians) must consent to the declaration. The consent of the custodians can generally be replaced by the family court. Minors must seek professional advice before the change (e.g. from a specialist in child and youth welfare or a psychologist). It must be declared at the registry office that this consultation has taken place.

Can people with non-German nationality have their gender entry and first names changed?

Yes, this is possible if the law in the country of which the person is a national does not offer such an option.

Further information can be found at: https://www.bmfsfj.de/bmfsfj/themen/gleichstellung/queerpolitik-und-geschlechtliche-vielfalt/gesetz-ueber-die-selbstbestimmung-in-bezug-auf-den-geschlechtseintrag-sbgg--199332 and at https://www.bayernportal.de/dokumente/leistung/2070200191287?plz=91052&behoerde=06998201388&gemeinde=851412001699

If you have any further questions, please contact nachbeurkundungen@stadt.erlangen.de or diversity@stadt.erlangen.de