Record number of gender registration changes in Belgium in 2023

A total of 633 people in Belgium changed their gender registration in population records and civil status documents last year, according to data released by the Justice ministry on Sunday.

The procedure is intended for people whose personal gender identity does not correspond to what is stated on their birth certificate.

Individuals can declare the necessary changes before a civil status officer in the municipality where they're registered in the population or foreigners' register.

The total number of such changes was higher in 2023 than in previous years, with 569 in 2022 and 513 in 2021. Most of the changes were made by people aged between 18 and 29. For people under 18, there were 52 requests.

Minors can apply if they are at least 16 years old, accompanied by a parent or guardian, and have a certificate from a child or adolescent psychiatrist.

Since January 2018, transgender people no longer need to meet certain medical criteria to change their gender and first name in civil status documents and the population register.

Previously, if a person wanted to make a change, they had to go to the family court and go through a complex procedure.

^{© PHOTO JONAS HAMERS / IMAGEGLOBE}