In 2023, Belgium witnessed unprecedented alterations in gender registrations, setting a new record

In the past year, a total of 633 individuals underwent changes to their gender registration in population records and civil status documents, as reported by The Brussels Times.

This process is tailored for those who feel that their birth certificate does not accurately reflect their personal gender identity. Individuals are able to declare the necessary changes before a civil status officer in the municipality where they are registered in the population or foreigner’s registry.

The overall number of such modifications surpassed previous years, with 569 changes in 2022 and 513 in 2021. Notably, a majority of these adjustments were made by individuals aged between 18 and 29, while there were 52 changes recorded for those under 18.

Minors, who are at least 16 years old, can submit a request accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, and with a certificate from a child or adolescent psychiatrist.

Since January 2018, transgender individuals no longer need to satisfy specific medical criteria to update their gender and first name in civil status documents and the population register. This marks a significant departure from the previous requirement of approaching the family court and navigating a complex procedure for such modifications.