Gender Recognition Act 2015
Acts of the Oireachtas
Source: Acts of the Oireachtas

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paragraphs: (1) This Act may be cited as the Gender Recognition Act 2015.
(2) This Act shall come into operation on such day or days as the Minister may appoint by order or orders generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision and different days may be so appointed for different purposes or provisions.
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paragraphs: In this Act—
“Act of 2004” means the Civil Registration Act 2004 ;
“Act of 2007” means the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 ;
“Act of 2010” means the Adoption Act 2010 ;
“civil partner” means a person in a civil partnership or legal relationship to which section 3 of the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 applies;
“court” means the Circuit Family Court;
“endocrinologist” means a medical practitioner who is registered in the Specialist Division of the register of medical practitioners under the medical specialty of “Endocrinology & Diabetes Mellitus”;
“gender recognition certificate” means a gender recognition certificate issued by the Minister;
“medical practitioner” means a medical practitioner who is for the time being registered in the register of medical practitioners;
“medical specialty” means a medical specialty recognised by the Medical Council under section 89 of the Act of 2007;
“Minister” means the Minister for Social Protection;
“ordinarily resident” in sections 9 and 10 means ordinarily resident in the State throughout the period of one year ending on the date that a person applies for a gender recognition certificate;
“preferred gender” means the gender a person applies to have specified or which is specified in a gender recognition certificate;
“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Minister;
“primary treating medical practitioner” means a person’s primary treating endocrinologist or psychiatrist in relation to the matter the subject of an application for a gender recognition certificate;
“psychiatrist” means a medical practitioner who is registered in the Specialist Division of the register of medical practitioners under the medical specialty of “Psychiatry” or under the medical specialty of “Child and Adolescent Psychiatry”;
“register of medical practitioners” means the register of medical practitioners established under section 43 of the Act of 2007.
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paragraphs: (1) The Minister may by regulations provide for any matter referred to in this Act as prescribed or to be prescribed.
(2) Where a provision of this Act requires or authorises the Minister to make regulations such regulations may—
(a) make provision for different circumstances or cases, classes or types, and
(b) contain such incidental, supplementary and consequential provisions as appear to the Minister to be necessary or expedient for the purposes of the regulations.
(3) Every regulation under this Act shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the regulation is passed by either such House within the next 21 days on which that House has sat after the order or regulation is laid before it, the order or regulation shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
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paragraphs: The expenses incurred by the Minister in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
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paragraphs: A notice or other document that is required to be served on or given to a person under this Act shall be addressed to the person concerned by name, and may be so served on or given to the person in one of the following ways:
(a) by delivering it to the person;
(b) by leaving it at the address at which the person ordinarily resides or, in a case in which an address for service has been furnished, at that address;
(c) by sending it by post in a prepaid registered letter to the address at which the person ordinarily resides or, in a case in which an address for service has been furnished, to that address.
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paragraphs: (1) The Minister shall keep a record, in the form that he or she considers appropriate, of a decision made by him or her under section 8 , 11 , 14 , 15 or 16 .
(2) The Minister shall, not later than 30 June in each year prepare a report on the performance of his or her functions under this Act in the immediately preceding year, or in the case of the period from the date this Act comes into operation to the next following 30 June, that period, and as soon as may be after the report has been prepared, shall cause copies of the report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
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paragraphs: The Minister shall—
(a) not later than 2 years after this section comes into operation, commence a review of the operation of this Act, and
(b) not later than 12 months after its commencement, make a report to each House of the Oireachtas of the findings made on the review and of the conclusions drawn from the findings.
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paragraphs: (1) A person referred to in section 9 may apply to the Minister for a gender recognition certificate.
(2) An application under this section shall be in writing in the form, including electronic form, as may be prescribed, and no fee shall be charged by the Minister for considering the application.
(3) The Minister shall consider an application under this section and shall decide to either—
(a) issue a gender recognition certificate, or
(b) refuse to issue a gender recognition certificate.
(4) In considering an application under this section the Minister shall consider the information furnished by the applicant and may request further information from the applicant regarding any information or evidence furnished by the applicant or on his or her behalf.
(5) The Minister shall give notice in writing to the applicant of a decision under subsection (3), as soon as practicable after it is made, which shall, in relation to a decision under subsection (3)(b) —
(a) include reasons for the decision,
(b) inform the applicant that he or she may, under section 17 , appeal the decision within 90 days of the date of the notice, and
(c) inform the applicant that the decision shall be suspended until—
(i) the decision becomes final under subsection (6), or
(ii) the disposal of an appeal under section 17 (2).
(6) If, on the expiration of the period of 90 days beginning on the date of the notice under subsection (5), no appeal under section 17 is made, the Minister’s decision under subsection (3)(b) is final.
(7) If, following an appeal under section 17 the court, under section 17 (2)(b) orders the Minister to reconsider his or her decision, the Minister’s decision under subsection (3)(b) is suspended until the Minister reconsiders his or her decision.
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paragraphs: (1) This section applies to a person who satisfies the conditions specified in subsection (2) —
(a) who may or may not be ordinarily resident in the State and—
(i) whose birth is registered in the register of births maintained under section 13 of the Act of 2004, proof of which is a document issued under section 61 of that Act in respect of an entry in that register,
(ii) whose adoption is registered in the Adopted Children Register maintained under section 84 of the Adoption Act 2010 , proof of which is a certified copy of an entry issued under subsection (10) of that section of that Act,
(iii) whose birth is recorded in a foreign births entry book or in the foreign births register, both of which are kept under section 27 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 , proof of which is a document purporting to be a copy of an entry in that entry book or register and which is duly authenticated as such, or
(iv) whose adoption is registered in the register of intercountry adoptions maintained under section 90 of the Adoption Act 2010 , proof of which is a document purporting to be a copy of an entry in that register issued under section 91(1) (b) of that Act,
or
(b) who is ordinarily resident in the State, whose birth did not take place in the State and whose birth—
(i) is registered in accordance with a civil system of registration of births in the place where his or her birth occurred, proof of which is a document issued in accordance with that system of registration, or a statutory declaration declaring why it is not feasible to produce the proof and exhibiting other evidence of birth, or
(ii) is not registered because there is no system of civil registration of births in the place where his or her birth occurred, proof of which is a statutory declaration declaring that there is no such system and exhibiting other evidence of birth.
(2) A person to whom this section applies shall satisfy the following conditions:
(a) subject to section 12 , have attained the age of 18 years on the date he or she makes an application for a gender recognition certificate;
(b) not be married or a civil partner;
(c) comply, as the case may be, with section 10 or 11 .
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paragraphs: (1) A person who applies for a gender recognition certificate under section 8 shall furnish the following to the Minister:
(a) his or her name, address, PPS number and contact details;
(b) the forename and surname by which he or she wishes to be known;
(c) proof of his or her identity;
(d) in relation to his or her birth—
(i) where he or she is a person referred to in paragraph (a) of section 9 (1), applicable proof of birth referred to in that paragraph, or
(ii) where he or she is a person referred to in paragraph (b) of section 9 (1), applicable proof of birth referred to in that paragraph;
(e) where he or she is a person referred to in paragraph (b) of section 9 (1), information and evidence to satisfy the Minister that the applicant is ordinarily resident in the State;
(f) a statutory declaration declaring that he or she—
(i) is not married or a civil partner,
(ii) has a settled and solemn intention of living in the preferred gender for the rest of his or her life,
(iii) understands the consequences of the application, and
(iv) makes the application of his or her free will.
(2) In this section “PPS number” means a personal public service number within the meaning of section 262 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 .
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paragraphs: (1) A person who has changed gender under the law of a country or territory, other than the State, may apply to the Minister for a gender recognition certificate.
(2) A person who applies for a gender recognition certificate under this section shall—
(a) furnish the following to the Minister:
(i) each item referred to in paragraphs (a) to (e) of section 10 (1);
(ii) a statutory declaration that he or she is not married or a civil partner;
(iii) the decision, order or certificate of gender recognition issued in the country or territory concerned,
and
(b) show to the satisfaction of the Minister—
(i) that requirements to be fulfilled, under the law of the country or territory concerned so that a decision, order or certificate of gender recognition is issued, are at least equivalent to the requirements to be fulfilled under subparagraphs (ii) to (iv) of section 10 (1)(f), for the issue of a gender recognition certificate in the State, and
(ii) the authenticity of the document referred to in paragraph (a)(iii) which may include by means of certification by the person or body who issued the document and a translation thereof.
(3) Subsections (2) to (6) of section 8 shall apply, with any necessary modifications, to an application to the Minister under this section as they apply to an application under section 8 and references to a decision under section 8 or any part thereof shall be taken to include references to a decision in respect of an application under this section.
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paragraphs: (1) The Minister may only consider an application for a gender recognition certificate under section 8 or 11 or for revocation of a gender recognition certificate under section 15 , made on behalf of a child who has attained the age of 16 but not 18 years, if furnished with an order of the court under this section.
(2) The court, on application to it in that behalf by the next friend of a child who has attained the age of 16 but not 18 years, may by order exempt the child from the requirement to comply with section 9 (2)(a) or 15 (8)(b).
(3) An application under this section—
(a) may be made informally,
(b) may be heard and determined otherwise than in public, and
(c) shall not have a court fee charged in respect of it.
(4) The court shall only grant an application under this section if—
(a) subject to subsection (5), the court is satisfied, that, as appropriate, the child’s parents, surviving parent or guardian consent or consents to the making of the application under this section,
(b) in relation to an application for a gender recognition certificate under section 8 or 11 —
(i) a certificate in writing of a medical practitioner is furnished to the court certifying—
(I) that he or she is the child’s primary treating medical practitioner,
(II) that in the professional medical opinion of the medical practitioner —
(A) the child has attained a sufficient degree of maturity to make the decision to apply for gender recognition,
(B) the child is aware of, has considered and fully understands the consequences of that decision,
(C) the child’s decision is freely and independently made without duress or undue influence from another person, and
(D) the child has transitioned or is transitioning into his or her preferred gender,
and
(ii) an endocrinologist or psychiatrist, who has no connection to the child, furnishes to the court a certificate in writing certifying that his or her medical opinion concurs with the medical opinion referred to in sub paragraph (i),
and
(c) in relation to an application to revoke a gender recognition certificate under section 15 —
(i) a certificate in writing of a medical practitioner is furnished to the court certifying—
(I) that he or she is the child’s primary treating medical practitioner,
(II) that in the professional medical opinion of the medical practitioner—
(A) the child has attained a sufficient degree of maturity to make the decision to live in his or her original gender for the rest of his or her life,
(B) the child is aware of, has considered and fully understands the consequences of that decision,
(C) the child’s decision is freely and independently made without duress or undue influence from another person, and
(D) the child has reversed the transition or ceased transitioning into the preferred gender,
and
(ii) an endocrinologist or psychiatrist, who has no connection to the child, furnishes to the court a certificate in writing certifying that his or her medical opinion concurs with the medical opinion referred to in sub paragraph (i).
(5) The court may make an order dispensing with the requirement of the consent of a person referred to in subsection (4)(a) to the making of an order under this section where satisfied that the consent cannot be obtained because the person cannot be identified or found or is failing or neglecting to respond to a request for consent or should not be obtained because the nature of the relationship between the child concerned and the person shows that it would not be in the interest of the safety or welfare of the child to contact the person.
(6) The court shall not make an order under this section unless satisfied that it is in the best interest of the child.
(7) In this section “guardian” means a person who—
(a) is a guardian of a child pursuant to the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964 , or
(b) is appointed to be the guardian of a child by—
(i) deed or will, or
(ii) order of a court in the State,
and has not been removed from office.
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paragraphs: (1) A gender recognition certificate shall specify the date on which it issues and the following in relation to the person to whom it issues:
(a) the person’s forename and surname referred to in section 10 (1)(b);
(b) the person’s date of birth;
(c) the person’s gender.
(2) The Minister shall furnish a copy of the information and documents referred to in subsection (3) as soon as may be after the making of a decision under section 8 (3)(a) or an order of the court under section 17 (2)(a)—
(a) where the decision or order relates to a person referred to in subparagraph (i) or (ii) of section 9 (1)(a), to an tArd-ChlÃ¡raitheoir, or
(b) where the decision or order relates to a person referred to in subparagraph (iv) of section 9 (1)(a), to the Adoption Authority of Ireland.
(3) The following shall be furnished by the Minister under subsection (2):
(a) the name, address and contact details furnished under section 10 (1)(a);
(b) proof of birth referred to in section 9 (1)(a);
(c) the gender recognition certificate.
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paragraphs: (1) The Minister may revoke a gender recognition certificate if he or she is satisfied that he or she would not have issued the certificate under section 8(3)(a) had he or she been aware of information or facts before deciding to issue the certificate which since that issue have been brought to his or her notice.
(2) The Minister shall give notice in writing to the person whose gender recognition certificate is proposed to be revoked which shall inform him or her that he or she may make representations in writing in relation to the proposal to the Minister within 30 days of the date of the notice.
(3) In considering any representations made under this section the Minister may request further information from the person concerned as may be necessary for the purposes of making a decision under subsection (4).
(4) The Minister shall consider any representations made or further information furnished pursuant to a request under subsection (3) and shall decide to—
(a) revoke the gender recognition certificate, or
(b) not revoke the gender recognition certificate.
(5) The Minister shall give notice in writing to the person concerned of a decision under subsection (4) as soon as practicable after it is made, which shall, in relation to a decision under subsection (4)(a)—
(a) include reasons for the decision,
(b) require the person to surrender his or her gender recognition certificate as soon as practicable,
(c) inform the applicant that he or she may, under section 17 appeal the decision within 90 days of the date of the notice, and
(d) inform the applicant that the decision and requirement to surrender the gender recognition certificate shall be suspended until—
(i) the decision becomes final under subsection (6), or
(ii) the disposal of an appeal under section 17 (4).
(6) If, on the expiration of the period of 90 days beginning on the date of the notice under subsection (5), no appeal under section 17 is made, the Minister’s decision under subsection (4)(a) and the requirement to surrender the gender recognition certificate are final.
(7) If, following an appeal under section 17 the court, under section 17 (4)(b) orders the Minister to reconsider his or her decision, the Minister’s decision under subsection (4)(a) and the requirement to surrender the gender recognition certificate are suspended until the Minister reconsiders his or her decision.
(8) (a) A gender recognition certificate revoked under this section shall be deemed to always have been void and of no effect.
(b) Paragraph (a) shall not operate to prevent a person from recovering damages in respect of any loss incurred by acting in reliance on a gender recognition certificate revoked under this section.
(9) The Minister shall give notice in writing of a decision under subsection (4)(a), or an order of the court under section 17 (4)(c) to—
(a) where the decision or order relates to a person referred to in sub paragraph (i) or (ii) of section 9 (1)(a), an tArd-ChlÃ¡raitheoir,
(b) where the decision or order relates to a person referred to in subparagraph (iii) of section 9 (1)(a), the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade who shall as soon as practicable following receipt of the notice, if applicable, amend the register of gender recognition of foreign births referred to in section 27 (3A) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 in accordance with the decision or order, or
(c) where the decision or order relates to a person referred to in subparagraph (iv) of section 9 (1)(a), the Adoption Authority of Ireland.
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paragraphs: (1) A person referred to in subsection (8) may apply to the Minister to revoke a gender recognition certificate.
(2) An application under this section shall be accompanied by the gender recognition certificate and the application shall be in writing in the form, including electronic form, as may be prescribed, and no fee shall be charged by the Minister for considering the application.
(3) The Minister shall consider an application under this section and shall decide to either—
(a) revoke the gender recognition certificate, or
(b) refuse to revoke the gender recognition certificate.
(4) In considering an application under this section the Minister shall consider the information furnished by the applicant and may request further information from the applicant regarding any information or evidence furnished by the applicant or on his or her behalf.
(5) The Minister shall give notice in writing to the applicant of a decision under subsection (3) as soon as practicable after it is made, which shall, in relation to a decision under subsection (3)(b) —
(a) include reasons for the decision,
(b) inform the applicant that he or she may, under section 17 , appeal the decision within 90 days of the date of the notice, and
(c) inform the applicant that the decision shall be suspended until—
(i) the decision becomes final under subsection (6), or
(ii) the disposal of an appeal under section 17 (6).
(6) If, on the expiration of the period of 90 days beginning on the date of the notice under subsection (5), no appeal under section 17 is made, the Minister’s decision under subsection (3)(b) is final and the Minister shall return the gender recognition certificate to the applicant.
(7) If, following an appeal under section 17 the court, under section 17 (6)(b) orders the Minister to reconsider his or her decision, the Minister’s decision under subsection (3)(b) is suspended until the Minister reconsiders his or her decision.
(8) This section applies to a person—
(a) to whom the Minister has issued a gender recognition certificate under section 8 (3)(a),
(b) who, subject to section 12 , has attained the age of 18 years on the date that he or she applies to revoke the gender recognition certificate,
(c) who is not married or a civil partner, and
(d) who furnishes the following to the Minister:
(i) the gender recognition certificate concerned;
(ii) a statutory declaration declaring that he or she—
(I) is not married or a civil partner,
(II) has a settled and solemn intention of living in his or her original gender for the rest of his or her life,
(III) understands the consequences of the application, and
(IV) makes the application of his or her free will.
(9) The revocation of a person’s gender recognition certificate under this section shall not affect the rights or liabilities of the person or consequences of an action by the person in their preferred gender prior to the date of that revocation.
(10) The date of revocation of a gender recognition certificate shall be—
(a) the date on which the Minister decides to revoke the certificate under subsection (3)(a), or
(b) the date of an order of the court under section 17 (6)(a).
(11) The Minister shall, in relation to a decision under subsection (3)(a) or an order of the court under section 17 (6)(a), as soon as practicable and as applicable notify—
(a) where the decision or order relates to a person referred to in sub paragraph (i) or (ii) of section 9 (1)(a), an tArd-ChlÃ¡raitheoir,
(b) where the decision or order relates to a person referred to in subparagraph (iii) of section 9 (1)(a), the applicant concerned advising them that they may apply to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to amend the register of gender recognition of foreign births referred to in section 27 (3A) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 in accordance with the final decision or order, or
(c) where the decision or order relates to a person referred to in subparagraph (iv) of section 9 (1)(a), the Adoption Authority of Ireland.
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paragraphs: (1) A person, to whom a gender recognition certificate is issued, on behalf of a person to whom a gender recognition certificate is issued who has not attained the age of 18 years, or who satisfies the Minister of his or her having an interest in the matter, may apply in writing to the Minister for a decision to—
(a) correct a clerical error in a gender recognition certificate, or
(b) on being satisfied on foot of evidence or information furnished in a statutory declaration of the applicant, correct an error of fact in a gender recognition certificate.
(2) An application under this section shall be accompanied by the gender recognition certificate and be in writing in the form, including electronic form, as may be prescribed, and no fee shall be charged by the Minister for considering the application.
(3) The Minister shall consider the application under subsection (1) and shall decide to either—
(a) correct the clerical error or error of fact and return the corrected gender recognition certificate to the applicant, or
(b) refuse to correct the clerical error or error of fact and return the gender recognition certificate to the applicant.
(4) In considering an application under this section the Minister shall consider the information furnished by the applicant and may—
(a) request further information from the applicant regarding any information or evidence furnished by him or her or on his or her behalf, or
(b) at the expense of the Minister, obtain other or further information of a specialist nature relevant to the application.
(5) The Minister shall give notice in writing to the applicant of a decision under subsection (3) as soon as practicable after it is made which shall, in relation to a decision under subsection (3)(b) —
(a) include reasons for the decision,
(b) inform the applicant that he or she may, under section 17 , appeal the decision within 90 days of the date of the notice, and
(c) inform the applicant that the decision shall be suspended until—
(i) the decision becomes final under subsection (6), or
(ii) the disposal of an appeal under section 17 (8).
(6) If, on the expiration of the period of 90 days beginning on the date of the notice under subsection (5), no appeal under section 17 is made, the Minister’s decision under subsection (3)(b) is final.
(7) If, following an appeal under section 17 the court, under section 17 (8)(b) orders the Minister to reconsider his or her decision, the Minister’s decision under subsection (3)(b) is suspended until the Minister reconsiders his or her decision.
(8) The Minister shall, in relation to a decision under subsection (3)(a) or an order of the court under section 17 (8)(a), as soon as practicable and as applicable notify—
(a) where the decision or order relates to a person referred to in sub paragraph (i) or (ii) of section 9 (1)(a), an tArd-ChlÃ¡raitheoir,
(b) where the decision or order relates to a person referred to in subparagraph (iii) of section 9 (1)(a), the applicant concerned advising them that they may apply to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to amend the register of gender recognition of foreign births referred to in section 27 (3A) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 in accordance with the final decision or order, or
(c) where the decision or order relates to a person referred to in subparagraph (iv)of section 9 (1)(a), the Adoption Authority of Ireland.
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paragraphs: (1) A person may appeal a decision of the Minister under section 8 (3)(b) to the court not later than 90 days, or such longer period as a judge of the court may for good and sufficient reason determine, after the date of the notice given under section 8 (5).
(2) Upon an appeal under subsection (1), a judge of the court may make an order—
(a) requiring the Minister to issue the gender recognition certificate under section 8 (3)(a),
(b) requiring the Minister to reconsider the application for a gender recognition certificate, or
(c) affirming the decision of the Minister to refuse to issue the gender recognition certificate.
(3) A person may appeal a decision of the Minister under section 14 (4)(a) to the court not later than 90 days, or such longer period as a judge of the court may for good and sufficient reason determine, after the date of the notice given under section 14 (5).
(4) Upon an appeal under subsection (3), a judge of the court may make an order—
(a) requiring the Minister not to revoke the gender recognition certificate,
(b) requiring the Minister to reconsider the decision to revoke the gender recognition certificate, or
(c) affirming the decision of the Minister to revoke the gender recognition certificate.
(5) A person may appeal a decision of the Minister under section 15 (3)(b) to the court not later than 90 days, or such longer period as a judge of the court may for good and sufficient reason determine, after the date of the notice given under section 15 (5).
(6) Upon an appeal under subsection (5), a judge of the court may make an order—
(a) requiring the Minister to revoke the gender recognition certificate,
(b) requiring the Minister to reconsider the application to revoke the gender recognition certificate, or
(c) affirming the decision of the Minister to refuse to revoke the gender recognition certificate.
(7) A person may appeal a decision of the Minister under section 16 (3)(b) to the court not later than 90 days, or such longer period as a judge of the court may for good and sufficient reason determine, after notice is given under section 16 (5).
(8) Upon an appeal under subsection (7), a judge of the court may make an order—
(a) requiring the Minister to correct the clerical error or error of fact in the gender recognition certificate,
(b) requiring the Minister to reconsider the application to correct the clerical error or error of fact in the gender recognition certificate, or
(c) affirming the decision of the Minister to refuse to correct the clerical error or error of fact in the gender recognition certificate.
(9) The person appealing under subsection (1), (3), (5) or (7) shall give notice in writing to the Minister of the appeal.
(10) The court may make such ancillary orders as it considers necessary in order to give effect to any order it makes under subsection (2), (4), (6) or (8).
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paragraphs: (1) Where a gender recognition certificate is issued to a person the person’s gender shall from the date of that issue become for all purposes the preferred gender so that if the preferred gender is the male gender the person’s sex becomes that of a man, and if it is the female gender the person’s sex becomes that of a woman.
(2) The date of issue of a gender recognition certificate shall be—
(a) the date on which the Minister decides to issue the certificate under section 8 (3)(a), or
(b) the date of an order of the court under section 17 (2)(a).
(3) A person issued with a gender recognition certificate may only—
(a) marry a person of the opposite gender to the preferred gender and reference in section 2(2)(e) of the Act of 2004 to “same sex” includes a reference to the same sex as the preferred gender,
(b) be a party to a civil partnership registration with a person of the same gender as the preferred gender and reference in section 2(2A)(e) of the Act of 2004, to “not of the same sex” includes a reference to not of the same sex as the preferred gender.
(4) The person to whom the gender recognition certificate is issued shall not be required to produce it as proof of gender or identity for any purpose save as required by law.
(5) The person to whom the gender recognition certificate is issued may produce it to provide proof of gender or identity, if he or she so chooses.
(6) The issue of a gender recognition certificate shall not affect the rights or liabilities of a person or consequences of an action by the person in their original gender prior to the date of issue of the certificate.
(7) This section shall operate subject to the provisions of this Act.
(8) In this section “civil partnership registration” has the same meaning as in section 2 of the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 .
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paragraphs: The fact that a gender recognition certificate is issued to a person shall not affect the status of the person as the father or mother of a child born prior to the date of the issue of the certificate.
num: 20
paragraphs: (1) The fact that a gender recognition certificate is issued to a person shall not affect the disposal or devolution of property under a will (including a codicil) or other instrument executed before the date this section comes into operation.
(2) Notwithstanding any rule of law, a disposition made by will or codicil executed before the date this section comes into operation, shall not for the purposes of this section or section 22 be treated as made after that date by reason only that the will or codicil is confirmed by a codicil executed after that date.
num: 21
paragraphs: (1) In the performance in accordance with the law of administration of estates or trustees of functions as a personal representative or trustee, a personal representative or trustee shall not be required to enquire, before conveying or distributing any property, whether a gender recognition certificate has been issued to any person or revoked, if that issue or revocation could affect entitlement to the property.
(2) A personal representative or trustee shall not be liable to any person by reason of a conveyance or distribution of property, made without regard to whether a gender recognition certificate has been issued to any person or revoked, if the personal representative or trustee has not received notice of the issue or revocation before the conveyance or distribution.
(3) Nothing in this section shall affect the right of a person to make a claim in respect of any property, other than where the property is sold to a purchaser for value in good faith and without notice.
num: 22
paragraphs: (1) This section applies where the disposition or devolution of property under a will (including a codicil) or other instrument made on or after the date this section comes into operation is different, by virtue of the operation of section 18 (1), from what it would be but for the fact that a gender recognition certificate is issued to a person.
(2) A person may apply to the High Court for an order on the ground of being adversely affected by the different disposition or devolution of the property.
(3) The High Court, if it is satisfied that it is just to do so, may make in relation to any person benefiting from the different disposition or devolution of the property such order as it considers appropriate.
num: 23
paragraphs: (1) Where (apart from this subsection) a relevant gender-specific sexual offence could be committed or attempted only if the gender of the person to whom a gender recognition certificate is issued were not the preferred gender, the fact that the person’s gender has become the preferred gender does not prevent the sexual offence being committed or attempted.
(2) An offence is a relevant gender-specific sexual offence if a condition specified in subsection (3) is satisfied.
(3) The following conditions are referred to in subsection (2):
(a) that the offence may only be committed by a person of a particular gender;
(b) that the offence may only be committed against, or in relation to, a person of a particular gender.
(4) A part of the body surgically constructed (in particular through gender assignment surgery) is the same, for the purposes of a sexual offence, as a part of the body not so surgically constructed.
num: 24
paragraphs: Section 2(1) of the Act of 2004 is amended by the insertion of the following definitions:
“ ‘Act of 2015’ means the Gender Recognition Act 2015;
‘gender recognition certificate’ has the meaning assigned to it by the Act of 2015;”.
num: 25
paragraphs: Section 8 of the Act of 2004 is amended by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph (eee) of subsection (1):
“(eeee) to establish and maintain a register and index for the purpose of the registration of gender recognition,”.
num: 26
paragraphs: Section 13 of the Act of 2004 is amended—
(a) in subsection (1) —
(i) in paragraph (i) by the substitution of “dissolution),” for “dissolution), and”,
(ii) in paragraph (j) by the substitution of “partnerships), and” for “partnerships).”, and
(iii) by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph (j):
“(k) a register of gender recognition (which shall be known, and is referred to in this Act, as the register of gender recognition).”,
and
(b) in subsection (4) by the insertion of “, other than the register of gender recognition,” after “in a register”.
num: 27
paragraphs: The Act of 2004 is amended by the insertion of the following Part after Part 3:
“PART 3A
Register of Gender Recognition
Definitions (Part 3A)
30A. In this Part—
‘Adopted Children Register’ means the Adopted Children Register maintained under section 84 of the Adoption Act 2010 ;
‘register’ means the register of gender recognition.
Entry in Register
30B. (1) A person referred to in sub paragraph (i) or (ii) of section 9 (1)(a) of the Act of 2015 to whom a gender recognition certificate is issued by the Minister may contact an tArd-ChlÃ¡raitheoir and request that the required particulars relating to the recognition of the gender of the person are entered in the register.
(2) Where an tArd-ChlÃ¡raitheoir is satisfied to make an entry in the register it shall contain—
num: 28
paragraphs: Section 61 of the Act of 2004 is amended in subsection (3) by the substitution of “stillbirths or gender recognition or an index to either of those registers” for “stillbirths or an index to that register”.
num: 29
paragraphs: Section 63 of the Act of 2004 is amended in subsection (1) by the substitution of “(b), (d) or (k) ” for “(b) or (d) ”.
num: 30
paragraphs: The First Schedule to the Act of 2004 is amended by the insertion of the following Parts after Part 2:
“PART 2A
Section 30B
Particulars to be entered in Register of Gender Recognition
Date and place of birth.
Time of birth.
Sex of child.
Forename(s) of child.
Surname of child.
Personal public service number of child.
Forename(s), surname, birth surname, address and occupation of mother.
Former surname(s) (if any) of mother.
Date of birth of mother.
Civil status of mother.
Personal public service number of mother.
Birth surname of mother’s mother.
Forename(s), surname, birth surname, address and occupation of father.
Former surname(s) (if any) of father.
Date of birth of father.
Civil status of father.
Personal public service number of father.
Birth surname of father’s mother.
Forename(s), surname, qualification, address and signature of informant.
Registration District and Area.
Date of registration.
Signature of an tArd-ChlÃ¡raitheoir.
PART 2B
Section 30B
Particulars to be entered in Register of Gender Recognition
Personal public service number of child.
Date and country of birth of child.
Sex of child.
Forename(s) and surname of child.
Forename(s), surname(s), birth surname(s), address and occupation(s) of adopters.
Former surname(s) of adopters.
Date(s) of birth of adopters.
Marital status of adopter or adopters.
Personal public service number(s) of adopter or adopters.
Date of adoption order.
Date of registration.
Signature of an tArd-ChlÃ¡raitheoir.”.
num: 31
paragraphs: Section 27 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 , is amended—
(a) by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (3):
“(3A) A register for the purpose of the registration of gender recognition of foreign births shall be kept in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and on receipt of an application in that behalf by a person referred to in subparagraph (iii) of section 9 (1)(a) of the Gender Recognition Act 2015 to whom a gender recognition certificate is issued, particulars of the person’s gender recognition shall be entered in that register.”,
(b) in subsection (4) by the insertion of “or, where applicable, an entry in the register referred to in subsection (3A)” after “foreign births register”,
(c) by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (5):
“(5A) Regulations may also be made under subsection (5) for the purposes of the register referred to in subsection (3A) respecting the form and manner of keeping of the register, the registration of gender recognition therein, the persons to whom extracts there from may be furnished, the amendment or deletion of incorrect entries therein, the amendment or deletion of an entry in the register to correspond with an amendment or deletion of an incorrect entry in the foreign births register, the amendment or deletion of an entry where the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade is notified under the Gender Recognition Act 2015 that a gender recognition certificate is amended or revoked, making a traceable connection between the foreign births register and the register referred to in subsection (3A), confidentiality attaching to such traceable connection and to the register referred to in subsection (3A) and (with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform) the fees (if any) to be charged for registration of gender recognition in the register and for furnishing extracts thereof.”,
and
(d) by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (6):
“(7) In this section ‘gender recognition certificate’ has the same meaning as it has in the Gender Recognition Act 2015;”.
num: 32
paragraphs: Section 3 of the Act of 2010 is amended by the insertion of the following definitions:
“‘Act of 2015’ means the Gender Recognition Act 2015;
‘gender recognition certificate’ has the same meaning as it has in the Gender Recognition Act 2015;
‘register of gender recognition of intercountry adoptions’ means the register established under section 91A;”.
num: 33
paragraphs: Chapter 2 of Part 10 of the Act of 2010 is amended by the insertion of the following sections after section 91:
“Register of gender recognition of intercountry adoptions
91A. (1) The Authority shall establish and maintain, in the Authority, a register to be called the register of gender recognition of intercountry adoptions, for the purpose of the registration of gender recognition of intercountry adoptions.
(2) An entry in the register of gender recognition of intercountry adoptions shall be in such form and contain such particulars as may be prescribed by regulations made under section 152A.
(3) The Authority shall keep an index to make traceable the connection between each entry in the intercountry adoptions register and the corresponding entry in the register of gender recognition of intercountry adoptions.
(4) The index kept under subsection (3) shall not be open to public inspection, and no information from that index shall be given to any person except by order of a court.
(5) A court shall not make an order referred to in subsection (4), where the person to whom the information relates is a child of less than 18 years of age, unless satisfied that it is in the best interest of the child.
Certified copy of entry in register of gender recognition of intercountry adoptions as evidence of facts stated
91B. (1) Subject to subsection (3), the Authority shall, on application by a person referred to in subsection (2), in that behalf in writing and on payment to the Authority of the prescribed fee—
(a) search the register of gender recognition of intercountry adoptions and the index to that register, or
(b) give the person—
(i) a copy certified by him or her to be a true copy,
(ii) a copy, or
(iii) a certified extract,
of an entry in the register of gender recognition of intercountry adoptions specified by the person.
(2) The following persons may make an application to the Authority under subsection (1):
(a) the person to whom the entry on the register of gender recognition of intercountry adoptions relates;
(b) a person who is, in relation to the person referred to in paragraph (a) —
(i) the surviving spouse or civil partner,
(ii) if no surviving spouse or civil partner, the child,
(iii) if no surviving spouse or civil partner or child, a parent, or
(iv) if no surviving spouse or civil partner, child or parent, a surviving brother or sister.
(3) A certified copy of a document referred to in subsection (1) shall not disclose the fact that the entry is contained in the register of gender recognition of intercountry adoptions.
(4) Any requirement of law for the production of a certificate of birth is satisfied by the production of a certified copy of the document described in subsection (1).
(5) In subsection (2) ‘civil partner’ has the same meaning as in the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 .
Entry in register of gender recognition of intercountry adoptions
91C. A person referred to in subparagraph (iv) of section 9 (1)(a) of the Act of 2015 to whom a gender recognition certificate is issued by the Minister may contact the Authority and request that the particulars relating to the recognition of the gender of the person are entered in the register of gender recognition of intercountry adoptions.
Cancellation or amendment of entry in register of gender recognition of intercountry adoptions
91D. (1) The Authority, as soon as practicable following receipt of a notice under section 14 (9)(c) or 15 (11)(c) of the Act of 2015, shall cancel the appropriate entry in the register of gender recognition of intercountry adoptions and the index referred to in section 91A(3).
(2) The Authority, as soon as practicable following receipt of a notice under section 16 (8)(c) of the Act of 2015, shall correct the appropriate entry in the register of gender recognition of intercountry adoptions and the original entry shall be retained in the register.
(3) The Authority, following a correction of an error of an entry in the register of intercountry adoptions under section 90(11) which corresponds to an entry in the register of gender recognition of intercountry adoptions, shall amend the appropriate entry in the second referred to register accordingly.”.
num: 34
paragraphs: The Act of 2010 is amended by the insertion of the following section after section 152:
“152A. Without prejudice to the generality of section 150, the Minister may make regulations, prescribing the form of entries in the register of gender recognition of intercountry adoptions and the particulars to be contained in those entries and shall have regard to the need to have information contained in those entries that shall render them traceable to an entry in the register of intercountry adoptions.”.
num: 35
paragraphs: Section 96(1) of the Act of 2010 is amended—
(a) in paragraph (f) by the deletion of “and”,
(b) in paragraph (g) by the substitution of “adoptions;” for “adoptions.”, and
(c) by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph (g):
“(h) maintaining the register of gender recognition of intercountry adoptions and the index referred to in section 91A(3).”.
num: 36
paragraphs: (1) A person shall be guilty of an offence who—
(a) on an application under Part 2, knowingly or recklessly provides information to the Minister that is false or misleading in a material respect, or
(b) fails or neglects to surrender a gender recognition certificate to the Minister under section 14 (5) without reasonable excuse.
(2) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) shall be liable on summary conviction to a class C fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both.
num: 37
paragraphs: The jurisdiction conferred on the court by section 12 may be exercised by a judge of the circuit in which the child on whose behalf an application is made ordinarily resides and by section 17 may be exercised by a judge of the circuit in which the applicant for a gender recognition certificate ordinarily resides.
num: 38
paragraphs: (1) Section 11 of the Passports Act 2008 is amended—
(a) by the deletion of subsection (1),
(b) by the deletion of subsection (2),
(c) by the insertion of the following subsections before subsection (3):
“(2A) (a) The Minister shall not consider an application for a passport by an applicant who wishes to have a passport issued to him or her in—
(i) the new gender, and
(ii) if applicable, the new name,
unless that applicant produces his or her gender recognition certificate to the Minister.
(b) Where an applicant for a passport to whom paragraph (a) applies produces his or her gender recognition certificate to the Minister the Minister may, subject to this Act, issue a passport to the applicant in the gender specified in the gender recognition certificate and, if applicable, the new name.
(2B) (a) An applicant for a passport, who has attained the age of 18 years and to whom section 9 of the Gender Recognition Act 2015 does not apply, may apply to the Minister to have the passport issued to the applicant in the new gender and if the applicant is using a new name, to have the new name of the applicant entered in the passport.
(b) An applicant under paragraph (a) shall produce to the Minister—
(i) a statutory declaration declaring that the applicant has a settled and solemn intention of living in the new gender for the rest of his or her life and understands the consequences of the application, and
(ii) if appropriate, evidence to the satisfaction of the Minister of the use by the applicant of the new name,
and the Minister may, subject to this Act, issue a passport to the applicant in the new gender and, if applicable, new name specified in the application.
(2C) (a) An applicant for a passport who has attained the age of 16 years but not attained the age of 18 years and to whom section 9 of the Gender Recognition Act 2015 does not apply, may apply to the Minister to have the passport issued to the applicant in the new gender and if the applicant is using a new name, to have the new name of the applicant entered in the passport.
(b) An applicant under paragraph (a) shall produce to the Minister—
(i) a statutory declaration declaring that the applicant has a settled and solemn intention of living in the new gender for the rest of his or her life, and understands the consequences of the application,
(ii) each of the medical certificates referred to in paragraph (c), and
(iii) if appropriate, evidence to the satisfaction of the Minister of the use by the applicant of the new name,
and the Minister may, subject to this Act, issue a passport to the applicant in the new gender and, if applicable, new name specified in the application.
(c) For the purposes of paragraph (b) the following medical certificates are required:
(i) a certificate of the child’s primary treating medical practitioner certifying his or her professional medical opinion that—
(I) the child has attained a sufficient degree of maturity to make the decision to apply for a passport in the new gender,
(II) the child is aware of, has considered and fully understands the consequences of that decision, and
(III) the child’s decision is freely and independently made without duress or undue influence from another person,
and
(ii) a certificate of an endocrinologist or psychiatrist, who has no connection to the child, certifying that his or her medical opinion concurs with the medical opinion referred to in subparagraph (i).”,
and
(d) by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (4):
“(4) In this section—
‘endocrinologist’ means—
(a) a medical practitioner who is registered in the Specialist Division of the register of medical practitioners under the medical specialty of ‘Endocrinology & Diabetes Mellitus’, or
(b) in the case of a person outside the State, a person who is entitled under the law of the place where the person is to practise medicine in the field of endocrinology in that place;
‘gender recognition certificate’ has the same meaning as it has in the Gender Recognition Act 2015;
‘medical practitioner’ means—
(a) a medical practitioner who is for the time being registered in the register of medical practitioners, or
(b) in the case of a person outside the State, a person who is entitled under the law of the place where the person is to practise medicine in that place;
‘medical specialty’ means a medical specialty recognised by the Medical Council under section 89 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 ;
‘new gender’—
(a) in so far as it relates to an applicant referred to in subsection (2A), means the opposite gender to the gender originally specified in—
(i) the register of births maintained under section 13 of the Civil Registration Act 2004 , proof of which is a document issued under section 61 of that Act in respect of an entry in that register,
(ii) the Adopted Children Register maintained under section 84 of the Adoption Act 2010 , proof of which is a certified copy of an entry issued under subsection (10) of that section of that Act,
(iii) a foreign births entry book or in the foreign births register, both of which are kept under section 27 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 , proof of which is a document purporting to be a copy of an entry in that entry book or register and which is duly authenticated as such,
(iv) the register of intercountry adoptions maintained under section 90 of the Adoption Act 2010 , proof of which is a document purporting to be a copy of an entry in that register issued under section 91(1)(b) of that Act,
(v) where the birth concerned is registered in accordance with a civil system of registration of births in the place where his or her birth occurred, proof of which is a document issued in accordance with that system of registration, or a statutory declaration declaring why it is not feasible to produce the proof and exhibiting other evidence of birth, that document or statutory declaration, or
(vi) where the birth concerned is not registered because there is no system of civil registration of births in the place where his or her birth occurred, proof of which is a statutory declaration declaring that there is no such system and exhibiting other evidence of birth, that statutory declaration,
(b) in so far as it relates to an applicant referred to in subsection (2B) or (2C) means the opposite gender to the gender originally specified in—
(i) where the birth concerned is registered in accordance with a civil system of registration of births in the place where his or her birth occurred, proof of which is a document issued in accordance with that system of registration, or a statutory declaration declaring why it is not feasible to produce the proof and exhibiting other evidence of birth, that document or statutory declaration, or
(ii) where the birth concerned is not registered because there is no system of civil registration of births in the place where his or her birth occurred, proof of which is a statutory declaration declaring that there is no such system and exhibiting other evidence of birth, that statutory declaration;
‘new name’—
(a) in so far as it relates to an applicant referred to in subsection (2A) means, if a name other than the one referred to in subsection (1) or (2) of section 10 is specified in the gender recognition certificate, that name,
(b) in so far as it relates to an applicant referred to in subsection (2B) or (2C) means a name other than the one referred to in subsection (1) or (2) of section 10;
‘primary treating medical practitioner’ means a person’s primary treating endocrinologist or psychiatrist in relation to the matter the subject of an application under subsection (2C);
‘psychiatrist’ means—
(a) a medical practitioner who is registered in the Specialist Division of the register of medical practitioners under the medical specialty of ‘Psychiatry’ or under the medical specialty of ‘Child & Adolescent Psychiatry’, or
(b) in the case of a person outside the State, a person who is entitled under the law of the place where the person is to practise medicine in the field of psychiatry or child and adolescent psychiatry in that place;
‘register of medical practitioners’ means the register of medical practitioners established under section 43 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 .”.
(2) Where, before the repeal of subsections (1) and (2) of section 11 of the Passports Act 2008 by subsection (1), an application for a passport has been made to the Minister under the said subsection (1) of section 11 and has not been determined by the Minister or withdrawn, the application shall be dealt with and determined as if the said subsections (1) and (2) of section 11 had not been repealed.