Rules for choosing a sex descriptor

Part of the Record of sex changes topic

Understand the rules you must follow when you choose a sex descriptor on a change a record of sex application.

In short

If you want to legally change a record of sex, you must follow certain rules when you choose a sex descriptor.

Use these rules when you:

You must

Choose a sex descriptor that has no more than 30 characters (including spaces).

Choose a sex descriptor that can be written and spoken out loud.

Choose a sex descriptor that has been established in the community, for example male, female, agender, genderqueer.

You cannot

Choose a prohibited sex descriptor. This includes sex descriptors that:

are obscene, offensive or absurd
are too long
include symbols
are not known in the community through common use
are against public interest.

You may be interested in

Prohibited sex descriptor policy

Prohibited name policy

Managed by: Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages

Last updated:: 10 February 2026

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