Berlin Sees Over 3,151 Gender Marker Changes Since Self-Determination Law Enacted

Berlin has seen a significant number of individuals change their legal gender since the Self-Determination Act came into force on November 1, 2024. Official data reveals that 3,151 people have updated their gender entries in the German capital.

The law, which allows individuals to change their gender marker and first name, has been utilized by a diverse age group. While most applicants were adults, 216 adolescents aged 14 to 17 also updated their records. Additionally, 43 children between 5 and 13 years old, and three younger than five, had their gender entries changed, with parental consent required for minors.

Most changes involved switching between male and female, accounting for 1,877 cases. A smaller number of individuals chose to change their gender marker to 'diverse' or to have no gender designation. The process requires registration with the relevant registry office at least three months in advance and typically involves selecting new first names.