Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Proposed amendments to Vital Statistics Act would make changing or eliminating gender markers easier

These changes fall in line with previous actions that make it easier for people to have their government-issued identification reflect their gender identities.
web1_vital-statistics-office
Ministry of Health's Vital Statistics Agency office in Victoria. TIMES COLONIST

The province introduced two amendments to the Vital Statistics Act on Thursday that will make it easier for people to change the gender on their birth certificate or request no gender be included.

The bill proposes to amend the Vital Statistics Act in two ways. The first change would bring the act in line with policy changed last year that made it possible for people age 12 and older to change gender ­markers on their birth certificates ­without a physician’s or psychologist’s confirmation.

The second proposed ­amendment will change the information requirements for a birth certificate in the act, ­allowing individuals to request a birth certificate without a gender marker.

These changes fall in line with previous actions that make it easier for people to have their government-issued identification reflect their gender identities.

The province said it is committed to “supporting the health and well-being of Two-Spirit, transgender, intersex, non-binary and gender-diverse people and making B.C. a more inclusive province when it comes to gender identity.”

ceharnett@timescolonist.com

• To find out how to change your gender designation on your birth certificate, visit: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/birth-adoption/births/birth-certificates/change-of-gender-designation-on-­birth-certificates

• To change your gender designation on your other identification: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/­government-id/bc-services-card/your-card/change-personal-information

>>> To comment on this article, write a letter to the editor: letters@timescolonist.com