Victoria – British Columbians who do not identify as male or female will have the choice to display an X as a third option in the gender field of their B.C.-issued driver’s licence, identity card, birth certificate and BC Services Card.
The ministries of Health, Citizens’ Services and Attorney General have worked together to include an X designation option on government-issued identification documents. This option came into effect on November 1, 2018.
The ministries are also exploring the next steps required to move to a non-medical model of gender identification to advance equity and inclusivity.
How to change gender designation on an identity document
For people born in British Columbia:
- Submit a Change of Gender Designation Application form (VSA509a) along with a copy of the physician’s or psychologist’s confirmation form (VSA 510p) to the Vital Statistics Agency.
- Upon request, the Vital Statistics Agency will issue a birth certificate that reflects the new gender marker. There is a cost associated with getting a new birth certificate.
- Next, the person can send a copy of the new birth certificate to Health Insurance B.C. (HIBC) to allow them to update their system.
- HIBC will send a letter when the update has been completed and direct them to an Insurance Corporation of BC (ICBC) counter where they can have their driver’s licence updated.
For people not born in B.C., but who are now B.C. residents:
- Submit a BC Services Card Change of Gender Designation Application form (BCSC509a), along with a copy of the physician’s or psychologist’s confirmation form (VSA 510p) to HIBC.
- HIBC will send a letter when the update has been completed and direct them to an ICBC counter where they can have their driver’s licence updated.
- The Vital Statistics Agency cannot change gender designations on birth certificates from other jurisdictions. Minors’ gender-change applications also require parental consent.
As part of B.C. moving forward with a non-medical model of gender identification, government will be reviewing the requirements for supporting documentation from health-care practitioners.
Vital Statistics forms are available online at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/order-certificates-copies
