Sex and gender diverse passport applicants

We can issue a passport to sex and gender diverse applicants, identifying them as M (male), F (female) or X (indeterminate/intersex/unspecified).

If you are applying for a passport in a sex different from that recorded on your birth certificate or your previous Australian passport, you will need to complete a full passport application form and provide original documents as evidence of your identity, citizenship and preferred sex.

If you are also changing your name, you will need to present a change-of-name certificate issued by an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (RBDM) or a legalised foreign equivalent.

Sex and gender diverse passport holders should be aware that while Australian travel documents are issued in accordance with international standards, those travelling on a passport showing 'X' in the sex field may encounter difficulties when crossing international borders due to their infrequent use.  The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade cannot guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. See Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex travellers for further travel advice.

Documentation required as evidence of your preferred sex

Surgery is not a prerequisite for a passport to be issued in your preferred sex.

You can provide one of the following documents to support your passport application:

  • a gender recognition certificate issued by an RBDM, or
  • a revised birth certificate showing the new sex issued by an RBDM, or
  • a recognised details certificate, issued by an RBDM or
  • an Identity Acknowledgment Certificate issued by the South Australia RBDM.
Alternatively, you can obtain a statement from a registered medical practitioner or psychologist that you have had or are receiving appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition. The nature of the treatment does not have to be specified. This advice should be provided on form 
.
If you wish to have your sex recorded in your passport as X, we need confirmation from a registered medical practitioner or psychologist that you are of indeterminate sex or are intersex (non-binary). This advice should be provided on form
.

Replacement passport for sex and gender diverse applicants

If you hold a passport with at least two years validity remaining, and you wish to change the sex and/or the name in your passport, you may apply for a replacement passport in your new sex and/or name to be issued free of charge. A replacement passport is a reprint of your current passport with your updated details and a new photo. It will have the same expiry date as your current passport.

You must complete a full passport application form and provide original documents to prove your identity, citizenship and change of sex and/or name (see above for details).