Change the sex designation on your government IDs
Learn how to change the sex designation displayed on your driver’s licence or Ontario Photo Card.
Driver’s licence
You have the following options when it comes to the sex designation on your driver’s licence:
- change sex from M to F or F to M
- change sex to an X (gender neutral)
Change sex from M to F or F to M
To change the sex designation on your driver’s licence from male (M) to female (F) or female (F) to male (M), go to a ServiceOntario centre near you and bring an original and valid document that indicates the updated sex designation, male (M) or female (F), from the list below:
- birth certificate
- birth certificate with parental information, or
- certified copy of birth registration
If you were born in Ontario, you can apply to change the sex designation on your Ontario birth registration and apply for a new birth certificate that reflects the change by sending an application to the Office of the Registrar General.
If you do not have one of the above you will need to bring the following two documents:
- A letter from a doctor licensed by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario or a psychologist (or psychological associate) licensed by the College of Psychologists of Ontario. The letter must:
- be on the doctor’s letterhead
- state that the doctor has examined or treated you and the change in the sex designation on your driver’s licence is appropriate
- be signed by the doctor
- A letter from you that includes:
- the change you want to make
- your full name
- your current address
- your driver’s licence number
- the name and address of the doctor or psychologist (or psychological associate), who has signed the letter (described above) in support of the change
Surgery is not required as a condition for sex designation changes. However, if you have had surgery, you can present documentation from a recognized specialist (such as the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health or other comparable institutions) instead of a letter from a doctor, psychologist or psychological associate.
You will need to bring the originals for all the required documents. We cannot accept photocopies to process your request.
Change sex to an X
To change the sex designation on your driver’s licence to an X (gender neutral), visit a ServiceOntario centre. You do not have to bring any supporting documents.
Ontario Photo Card
You have the following options when it comes to sex designation on your Ontario Photo Card:
- change sex from M to F or F to M
- change sex to an X (gender neutral)
Change from M to F or F to M
To change the sex designation on your Ontario Photo Card from male (M) to female (F) or female (F) to male (M), go to a ServiceOntario centre near you and bring an original and valid document, that indicates male (M) or female (F) from the list below:
- birth certificate
- birth certificate with parental information, or
- certified copy of birth registration
If you do not have one of the above you will need to bring the following two documents:
- a letter from a doctor licensed by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario or a psychologist (or psychological associate) licensed by the College of Psychologists of Ontario. The letter must:
- be on the doctor’s letterhead
- state that the doctor has examined or treated you and the change in the sex designation on your Ontario Photo Card is appropriate
- be signed by the doctor
- a letter from you that includes:
- the change you want to make
- your full name
- your current address
- your Ontario Photo Card number
- the name and address of the doctor or psychologist (or, psychological associate), who has signed the letter (described above) in support of the change
Surgery is not required as a condition for sex designation changes. However, if you have had surgery, you can present documentation from a recognized specialist (such as the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health or other comparable institutions) instead of a letter from a doctor, psychologist or psychological associate.
You will need to bring the originals for all the required documents. We cannot accept photocopies to process your request.
Change sex to an X
To change the sex designation on your Ontario Photo Card to an X (gender neutral), visit a ServiceOntario centre. You do not have to bring any supporting documents.
Ontario birth registration/birth certificate
You have the following option when it comes to changing the sex designation on your Ontario birth registration/birth certificate:
- change sex to M, F or X (non-binary)
You can apply to change the sex designation on your Ontario birth registration or your child’s Ontario birth registration to male (M), female (F) or non-binary (X). Find out more information about changing your sex designation on your birth registration and birth certificate.
If you do not want to change the sex designation on your Ontario birth registration, when you apply for a birth certificate, you have the option to choose to not display the sex designation field on your birth certificate or birth certificate with parental information. Any person with an Ontario birth registration has this option, regardless of their gender identity. Find out more information about getting a birth certificate that does not display the sex designation field.