The “Act on Self-Determination Regarding Gender Registration (SBGG)” (Self-Determination Act) comes into force on 1 November 2024. Since 1 August 2024, transgender, intersex and non-binary people have been able to submit an application for a ‘declaration with self-certification’ regarding their gender entry and first name to their local registry office. Court proceedings are no longer necessary, nor are expert reports required.

The key points of the new procedure are as follows:

1. The ‘Declaration with Self-Certification’ is submitted to the relevant registry office using a standard form. Many registry offices already make this application form available online. The application must be submitted to the registry office three months before the declaration is made. This means there must be at least three months between the application and the declaration. It is advisable to contact the registry office to arrange an appointment and find out which documents to bring with you.

2. Upon presentation of confirmation that the application has been submitted under the self-insurance scheme, personal details and the student card may be provisionally amended. Once the amended identity card or birth certificate has been presented, the amended details will be permanently recorded and all previous identification documents will be deleted. This will enable the degree certificates to be issued with the new first name and gender. The change also applies to written notices. The new identity documents or birth certificate must be submitted to Hochschule München within six months at the latest so that the degree certificates can also be issued with the new first name and gender.

3. Students who already hold a dgti ID card or a certificate from the local civil court confirming that the TSG procedure has commenced may, as before, have their first name and gender provisionally recorded. Upon presentation of an identity document showing the changed first name and gender, the details can then be updated in the final documents

4. This procedure applies only to German nationals. International students may still submit a notarised declaration stating both names, but must, until they complete their studies, present an identity document from their home country in which their new first name and gender are recorded. Only then can their degree certificates be issued accordingly.

Contact details for enquiries

Manfred Göller

Studies Department

Tel: +49 89 1265-1456

Email

Further information on the new Self-Determination Act

BMJ – Self-Determination Act

BMFSFJ – Self-Determination Act

Federal Law Gazette – Act on Self-Determination Regarding Gender Registration (SBGG)