Section IIa : Changing the sex indication in civil status records

An application for a change of gender and, where applicable, forenames in civil status records, shall be brought: 1° Either before the court within whose jurisdiction the person concerned resides; >or 2° Or before the court within whose jurisdiction the birth certificate of the person concerned was drawn up or, in the case of a birth abroad, the court within whose jurisdiction the central civil status department of the Ministry…

An application to change the sex indication in civil status records and, where applicable, the first names, is a matter of non-contentious proceedings. The public prosecutor may appeal.

The application is made by petition delivered or addressed to the registry. Where applicable, the application shall specify whether the application also seeks a change of forenames. The assistance of a lawyer is not compulsory.

The case is heard and debated in chambers, after obtaining the opinion of the public prosecutor. Decisions are rendered in the absence of the public.

The court orders the change of forenames in the civil status records of the spouses, and, where applicable, the children, after noting the consent of the interested parties or their legal representatives. The person whose civil status is in question or his or her legal representative may be heard. The beneficiary of the change of forename may also apply for this change, subsequent to the court’s decision, to the public…

The court’s decision is provisionally enforceable only if it so orders.