Germany, one step away from allowing the change of name and sex in official documents

The German Council of Ministers has given the green light to its “self-determination law”, which will now have to be approved by parliament.

Germany’s Council of Ministers on Wednesday approved a plan to make it easier for transgender, intersex and non-binary people to change their names and gender on official documents, legislation the Justice Minister said is intended to make life easier for “a small group for whom it is of great importance.”

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The legislation still needs to be approved by Parliament.

It is one of several reform plans that Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition of three social-liberal parties has embarked on, and has been criticized by the conservative opposition.

Under the planned “self-determination law,” which has been in the works for more than a year, adults could change their first name and legal sex at registry offices without further formality.

They would have to notify the registry office three months before making the change.

The new regulations allow minors 14 years of age or older to change their name and legal sex with the approval of their parents or guardians; if they disagree, the teens could ask a family court to disallow them.

In the case of minors under 14 years of age, the parents or guardians would have to present the applications in the Civil Registry on their behalf.

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