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Certificates and registrations for offenders

Information for offenders applying to change a record of sex or name.

You must attach approval from the relevant authority to change a record of sex or name, if you are a:

  • Young person in custody or serving a custodial sentence
  • Prisoner
  • Parolee
  • Offender as defined in the table below.

It is an offence to apply without this approval.

Change a record of sex

1. Adult applications

Relevant authority for adult applications to change a record of sex
Category of applicantRelevant authority
A young person in a youth justice facilitySecretary of the Department of Justice and Community Safety
A prisonerSecretary of the Department of Justice and Community Safety
On paroleAdult Parole Board
An offender subject to a supervision order or interim-supervision order under the Serious Offenders Act 2018Post Sentence Authority
A registrable offender within the meaning of the Sex Offenders Registration Act 2004Chief Commissioner of Police

2. Child applications

If your child is a young person in a youth justice facility, you must attach approval from the Secretary of the Department of Justice and Community Safety.

Change a name

1. Adult applications

Relevant authority for adult applications to change a name
Category of applicantRelevant authority
A young person serving a custodial sentence in a youth residential centre or youth justice centreSecretary of the Department of Justice and Community Safety
A prisonerSecretary of the Department of Justice and Community Safety
On paroleAdult Parole Board
An offender subject to a supervision order or interim-supervision order under the Serious Offenders Act 2018Post Sentence Authority
A registrable offender within the meaning of the Sex Offenders Registration Act 2004Chief Commissioner of Police

2. Child applications

Relevant authority for child applications to change a name
Category of applicantRelevant authority
A young person serving a custodial sentence in a youth residential centre or youth justice centreSecretary of the Department of Justice and Community Safety

Child’s parent is:

  • A prisoner, or
  • A young person serving a custodial sentence in a youth residential centre or youth justice centre
Secretary of the Department of Justice and Community Safety

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