FACT PAGE | Alberta Identity Documents
Albertans or people living in Alberta who have changed their sex will need to update one or more government-issued identity documents.
The governments of Alberta and Canada each have different responsibilities regarding government-issued identity documents.
Alberta is responsible for issuing birth certificates to individuals born in Alberta, as well as operator's (driver's) licenses to qualified drivers operating within Alberta. Other certificates--such as marriage certificates--may also need to be amended.
Canada is responsible for issuing federal identification documents such as a Canadian passport. This page also includes information regarding obtaining a Canadian passport.
Note: These resources are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute legal or medical advice.
The governments of Alberta and Canada each have different responsibilities regarding government-issued identity documents.
Alberta is responsible for issuing birth certificates to individuals born in Alberta, as well as operator's (driver's) licenses to qualified drivers operating within Alberta. Other certificates--such as marriage certificates--may also need to be amended.
Canada is responsible for issuing federal identification documents such as a Canadian passport. This page also includes information regarding obtaining a Canadian passport.
Note: These resources are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute legal or medical advice.
Identity Documents -- Alberta Birth Certificates
In Alberta, changing sex on a birth certificate is ruled by the Vital Statistics Information Regulation. The following sections detail the process individual applicants must follow:
Section 16.1(1) -- eligibility requirements to apply for change of sex (birth certificate)
Section 16.2 -- requirements for an affidavit (from the applicant)
Section 16.3 -- requirements for a statement from a medical professional
For more details, see the Order in Council detailing all requirements for amending an Alberta birth certificate.
In Alberta, changing sex on a birth certificate is ruled by the Vital Statistics Information Regulation. The following sections detail the process individual applicants must follow:
Section 16.1(1) -- eligibility requirements to apply for change of sex (birth certificate)
Section 16.2 -- requirements for an affidavit (from the applicant)
Section 16.3 -- requirements for a statement from a medical professional
For more details, see the Order in Council detailing all requirements for amending an Alberta birth certificate.
Identity Documents -- Alberta Operator's (Driver's) Licenses
In Alberta, changing sex on an operator's (driver's) license is ruled by the Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Regulation. The following sections detail the processes individual applicants must follow:
Section 20.1 -- eligibility requirements to apply for change of sex (driver's license)
Section 20.2 -- requirements for an affidavit (from the applicant)
Section 20.3 -- requirements for evidence (a copy of an amended birth certificate OR a statement from a medical professional)
In Alberta, changing sex on an operator's (driver's) license is ruled by the Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Regulation. The following sections detail the processes individual applicants must follow:
Section 20.1 -- eligibility requirements to apply for change of sex (driver's license)
Section 20.2 -- requirements for an affidavit (from the applicant)
Section 20.3 -- requirements for evidence (a copy of an amended birth certificate OR a statement from a medical professional)
Identity Documents -- Alberta Marriage Certificates
In Alberta, changing sex on a subsisting (continuing) marriage certificate is ruled by the Vital Statistics Information Regulation. The following sections detail the process individual applicants must follow:
Section 16.5 -- information required to amend sex on record of susbsisting (continuing) marriage
In Alberta, changing sex on a subsisting (continuing) marriage certificate is ruled by the Vital Statistics Information Regulation. The following sections detail the process individual applicants must follow:
Section 16.5 -- information required to amend sex on record of susbsisting (continuing) marriage
Identity Documents -- Canada Passport
The Government of Canada does not provide information online regarding obtaining a Canadian passport with a correct sex marker. As of summer 2015, an applicant whose birth certificate has not been amended to show their correct sex will be required to sign a special form, mentioned here under "other resources."
The form for a "Canadian passport indicating a name and gender other than those on your birth certificate" is also not available on the Passport Canada forms page. Passport applicants may also need other forms to complete their applications. All forms available online are listed here.
Note: Passport Canada should not require any additional forms to complete the passport application for individuals who have already received an amended provincial birth certificate. However, without an amended birth certificate, individuals may face substantial barriers to obtaining a correctly-amended Canadian passport.
The Government of Canada does not provide information online regarding obtaining a Canadian passport with a correct sex marker. As of summer 2015, an applicant whose birth certificate has not been amended to show their correct sex will be required to sign a special form, mentioned here under "other resources."
The form for a "Canadian passport indicating a name and gender other than those on your birth certificate" is also not available on the Passport Canada forms page. Passport applicants may also need other forms to complete their applications. All forms available online are listed here.
Note: Passport Canada should not require any additional forms to complete the passport application for individuals who have already received an amended provincial birth certificate. However, without an amended birth certificate, individuals may face substantial barriers to obtaining a correctly-amended Canadian passport.
Please also see TESA's
-- links regarding identification for trans people
-- resource regarding trans rights across Canada
-- media release: TESA hopeful ID rules signal positive change (2015)
-- media release: TESA says known trans issues ignored in new Alberta legislative amendments (2014)
-- media release: TESA strenuously objects to current Vital Statistics amendment (2014)
-- media release: TESA supports reforms to Alberta birth certificates (2014)
-- letter regarding support for birth certificate amendment reform (2014)
-- letter regarding accessing Canadian passports (2014)
-- report regarding obtaining travelling with non-congruent government identification (2012)
-- flow chart of simplified overview of obtaining air travel documents for trans Canadians (2012)
-- links regarding identification for trans people
-- resource regarding trans rights across Canada
-- media release: TESA hopeful ID rules signal positive change (2015)
-- media release: TESA says known trans issues ignored in new Alberta legislative amendments (2014)
-- media release: TESA strenuously objects to current Vital Statistics amendment (2014)
-- media release: TESA supports reforms to Alberta birth certificates (2014)
-- letter regarding support for birth certificate amendment reform (2014)
-- letter regarding accessing Canadian passports (2014)
-- report regarding obtaining travelling with non-congruent government identification (2012)
-- flow chart of simplified overview of obtaining air travel documents for trans Canadians (2012)