Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hi everyone. I received confirmation yesterday that my GRC (Gender Recognition Certificate) bundle is complete. It was submitted six weeks ago but they then had to match up my deadname birth certificate with the application.

I understand that they only meet twice a year so who knows how long this is going to take.

There's also no guarantee that it will be granted. That's purely because the (ludicrous) amount of supporting documentation has to tick different boxes and they can find fault with almost anything e.g. a missing utility bill from two years ago.

Anyway, hopefully I will receive it from the gatekeepers and then it's a question of what it means now in the UK. I'm actively considering moving to the Republic of Ireland where self-certification is permitted.

Well quite the day today. Not only did I become a grandparent for the first time but I also received the following:

Dear Ms xxxxxxx
 
Your Case has been reviewed by the Gender Recognition Panel.
 
We're pleased to inform you that your application for a Gender Recognition Certificate has been granted. Please see a copy of the Panel's decision attached to this email.
 
The admin team aim to issue your Gender Recognition Certificate within 20 working days. We'll send you an email with tracking information once your Certificate has been posted.
If you have changed address since submitting your application, please let us know as soon as possible by replying to this email.
 
You do not need to do anything at this stage. If applicable, we will notify the Registry Office once your certificate has been issued. Further information on what happens next will also be enclosed with the certificate.
 
Yours Sincerely,
 
Admin Officer
Gender Recognition Panel | PO Box 11230 | Leicester | LE1 8FQ
 

I'm thrilled by both pieces of news!!

xx

That is awesome news, Tills! Congratulations!

Congratulations!!

Yay! Congratulations!

Love always -- Jess

YES!!! Think I need to get one sorted.

Quote from: Tills on October 06, 2025, 09:52:08 AMWell quite the day today. Not only did I become a grandparent for the first time but I also received the following:

Dear Ms xxxxxxx
 
Your Case has been reviewed by the Gender Recognition Panel.
 
We're pleased to inform you that your application for a Gender Recognition Certificate has been granted. Please see a copy of the Panel's decision attached to this email.
 
The admin team aim to issue your Gender Recognition Certificate within 20 working days. We'll send you an email with tracking information once your Certificate has been posted.
If you have changed address since submitting your application, please let us know as soon as possible by replying to this email.
 
You do not need to do anything at this stage. If applicable, we will notify the Registry Office once your certificate has been issued. Further information on what happens next will also be enclosed with the certificate.
 
Yours Sincerely,
 
Admin Officer
Gender Recognition Panel | PO Box 11230 | Leicester | LE1 8FQ
 

I'm thrilled by both pieces of news!!

xx

Oh wow, what an incredible day for you, Tills, double congrats!


~ Lilis 🌷

Quote from: davina61 on October 06, 2025, 01:29:40 PMYES!!! Think I need to get one sorted.

If you're in the UK then it's quite a convoluted process as you may know. Just make sure you marshal all your supportive evidence over a period of time and then keep at it. They don't make it easy!

xx

Yes that is why I have yet to do it.

So a question or two for all of you who have a Gender Recognition Certificate.

Q1 On receipt of your correct new one, did you destroy your old dead name birth certificate? That's what I want to do: literally to shred it.

Q2 After notifying anyone who needed to know, did you then hide away your GRC?

xx

Quote from: Tills on October 07, 2025, 03:30:02 AMSo a question or two for all of you who have a Gender Recognition Certificate.

Q1 On receipt of your correct new one, did you destroy your old dead name birth certificate? That's what I want to do: literally to shred it.

Q2 After notifying anyone who needed to know, did you then hide away your GRC?

xx

A1: No, I still have my original birth certificate (written in fountain-pen in my father's handwriting).  However, I also have three copies of its replacement.  If I ever had a dire need to destroy the original - if I was trying to stealth from the gestapo, for instance - I would.  Otherwise, it's part of my history.

A2: Yes, it is locked up in my fireproof document box along with all my other important documents.  Not really "hidden", I suppose, but I'm not about to frame it and hang it on the wall.

Interesting @KathyLauren You are the second long-standing woman I know who has kept their original birth certificate.

I think I'm going to shred mine. It feels somehow significant, for me that is.

I cannot recall if in the UK the Registry Office also alter the entry for Births on the database? Anyone?

xx

Quote from: Tills on October 07, 2025, 10:20:51 PMI think I'm going to shred mine. It feels somehow significant, for me that is.

I shredded mine when I got the new one. First, I checked to make sure that it did not say "Corrected Copy" or "Amended Birth Record". Since it did not and in every way looks like my original (except the issue date), I shredded it into teeny tiny bits.

Now everything matches: driver's license, veteran ID, passport/re-entry card, social security card, and birth certificate.

Yes, that's how I want it to be too @Lori Dee: Everything matching.

xx

I still have my original birth certificate.. It is part of my history and I'm not ashamed of it. I'm not going to ever use it for anything but I think it's important to keep..
Interesting question though about the registry... You see the original birth record for you is still there.. Should some geanealogist in the future look up the children your mother had, there you will be in the record miss-gendered.. If you had kids, before transition, then their birth records too will dead name you for eternity..marriage certificates too.. Not changed.
What the grc did was to generate a new birth certificate in your preferred gender... Its legal, it's binding and it's the only one you can use going forward.. But it didn't replace anything only supercede it.
You are told when you get your grc, that if you ever need a a replacement you have to apply to a special office and not the usual route every one else does.. For if you try to go the usual route, they will not find a record in that name.. They will still find your old name.. This is why, when you apply for a grc you legally sign away your rights to be identified as that person and you agree legally to never assume that identity again. Your not rewriting history, your just changing the future..
This may seem harsh, but if you think about it, it's the only way it could be done.. Every time you had a passport issued, a driving licence or paid tax etc would have to be retrospectively changed, kids birth certificates, directory entries.. The list is endless, that person you lived as cannot just disappear and it's almost impossible to change every record that happened before you got your grc.. For instance, when I got married for the first time in 1991, same sex marriage was illegal, yet if that marriage certificate was to be changed retrospectively, that's exactly how it would seem... 
So I had to just accept that that guy born in the 70s,did marry in the 90's and father a child in the 00s..that's in the public record.. But also, a girl was born then... And she did nothing much until 2020,when she got her first passport, driving licence and married a yank!

Isn't beurocracy wonderful?

As for my actual grc, I don't think I've ever used it for anything? My new birth certificate has been very useful.. And you can't get the one in the uk without the other.

I always value your input so much @SoupSarah Sarah when you come on the forum. Thank you for your very helpful thoughts here.

I totally get that about part of your history. I feel much the same in general.

And yet, I think for me there's also going to be something powerfully symbolic about shredding my old dead name birth certificate. Practically speaking it is, presumably, now worthless? It can never be used for anything, nor serve any purpose? It cannot be resurrected and used once more?

I think part of this is because my Mother, who was in all other respects wonderful and who I adored, nevertheless once said that I was her boy and will always be her boy. No I wasn't.

I want to shred not the evidence of my past but the fact of it. It is a mis-truth. I was not born a boy. I was a girl. Always knew I was and I want to affirm that with an act of sacred violence.

p.s. that's the only thing at which I'm at any slight variance, or have the temerity to be at variance. What you posted is so insightful and helpful, and it all makes sense. Thank you.

xx

Congratulations @Tills on this wondrous point in your journey. Where I am at I had not considered certificates and official documentation. However when I read this thread and saw your comment about having everything matching and then later about it correcting a mis-truth it hit me hard.

A feeling I hadn't considered before but one of having a complete identity recognised and matched by officialdom. There is something beautiful about this, it has created a sense of happiness in me.

I'm so happy for you that you have reached this step, I'm many behind you but your story has helped me more completely understand where I want to get to in this life.

I now have 4 birth certificates (dont ask but 3 are dead and one live) in the UK - Get your GRC converted into a new birth cert asap before they stop allowing it and stop destroying the links to our previous lives... UK politics is crap at the moment.
For those that follow my posts and shares on FB you should realise that the UK is about to go throuth the same process as applied by the Orange Felon and Hitler to name just a few Fascist dictators....
Best of luck everyone - loads of luv n Hugz xxxx
KJ

Oh , and beware of people registering who are funded by anti - trans people like JK rowling (spits) as they are doing this in the UK to infiltrate sports and groups to send anonymous complaints about trans in single sex groups and geting them banned (Especially where sex doesnt matter like Pool or Darts..). I hope the Admin are aware and doing what they can
XX

Luv n Hugz xx

I dare say you are correct @Katie Jade

I stopped watching the so-called "News" or listening to it or reading about it some 2 years ago. I'd already scaled back during the pandemic and then I decided to cut it out of my life entirely. The only exception is picking up snippets for trans issues on here. I've little or no idea what is going on beyond my world, though I did hear when the Orange menace was elected.

My life has, in my opinion, immeasurably improved. I have decided to take no notice whatsoever of the UK Supreme Court ruling. I use the Ladies when I'm out and about. I hold my head high and stare beyond people when I'm in public.

Is it ostrich mentality? Possibly. I would say though that there are a huge number of people who clearly don't like the anti-trans prejudices and who remain extremely supportive. What Trump and Farage have done (and Labour in their own immoral right-wing pursuits) is to give permission to prejudice.

Anyway, I feel right now that the UK has stood by me. It has given me a GRC. My correct birth certificate will be with me shortly. I already have a correct passport and driver's licence. They provide me with all the hormone regime and medical support I need and I'm on the final approach for the last bit of surgery down below which will be funded by the State.

Is it so wrong of me to think that it could be a lot worse here?

xx

It is a lot worse in the majority of the rest of the world... And I'm not talking about the USA here.. I live in the USA and you don't have it as bad as most Asian, middle east and Eastern European countries.. You do have access to English, the internet and education which means you can complain louder..
I'm not saying it's easy anywhere and prejudice should be eliminated in any form, but yes Tills, your are right, you do have those things and they are benefits. It's refreshing to hear somebody be thankful for what is and not decree what isn't. The world isn't fair, but it's more unfair to some.

That said, I moved country. I had my paperwork all in line and I emigrated as a natural born female. After all, that's what my birth certificate indicated. Thanks Britain. I did actually use my grc once.. It was at my doctor's office, I asked for a list of medication and a summary of my health issues (which are complex) at the top of this list my doctor wrote, on bold capitals, transgender female, nataly male..  This was factors incorrect (intersex genetics blah blah blah) but I took my grc and I indicated to the doctor where it says it is unlawful to reveal past gender identities unless there is a need and you have my permission.. I told him that my medical issues are not related to gender, and he didn't have my permission... Its the only time I threatened anyone with legal action.. And they duly complied with the law and re-issued my documentation..
I guess I'm removed now from the dysphoria and don't see my past as the horror show it actually was. I believe this is how I come to accept my history and in a perverse way keep my original birth certificate as a momento mori. In the same way I kept my old degree certificate. I had a new one in my correct name, I used that to get a job here in the USA.. But the old one is in that file, next to my birth certificate.. I guess one day, when I'm in my 90s and my great grankid is sat on my knee, I'll tell her.. You know, once upon a time your granny was a man! I guess by then it will be acceptable and maybe even something my heirs brag about? You never know

Hi again ladies and all,

So my Gender Recognition Certificate arrived: yay! And I've contacted the Registrar for my correct birth certificate. I'm satisfied that, for me, I want to SHRED my old dead name certificate. It's a personal thing. Partly because, much as I adored my Mother, her insistence (behind my back) that 'I would always be her boy' riles me. Both my parents were extremely controlling, my father particularly so in an abusive and bullying way. But more importantly because it indicates what, for me, is my fundamental core truth. No matter what dangly bit did or did not appear between my legs, I was not born a boy. As some of you will know, I don't accept the current vogue Reductionism that 'biological sex' is solely XX/XY and vagina/penis. That is grossly simplistic and society has swallowed it in its characteristically lazy way.

I was forced to live inside skin and wear clothes that may have indicated to the outer world that I was a boy, but it was never my core truth. As it happens I have a chromosome mutation that adds physiological evidence, but you don't need intersex characteristics for this still to be true.

Right, now that I have got that off my large bosom, I can get to the point ;)

I understand and respect those who want to retain their first birth certificate as part of their history. I totally get that, even though it's not what I want. The shredding will be a powerful act of sacred violence for me.

My question relates to Deed Polls. I have a legal certified Deed Poll which changed my name to my current one and it's tempting to shred those too on the grounds that all I need now is my new correct birth certificate. All my documentation and ID is updated so with the GRC to hand there shouldn't really be any need to refer again to the old dead name? Any thoughts on this?

Also I wonder if I can get my University degree certificates reissued?

xx

p.s. by the way, according to the blurb that accompanied my GRC, it is still possible at any time to apply for a copy of your old dead name birth certificate. Seems a bit odd, but that's what it says.

Quote from: Tills on October 18, 2025, 10:45:46 AMAlso I wonder if I can get my University degree certificates reissued?

You should check with the registrar of your university.  I know that some universities will re-issue degree or diploma certificates after name changes.  I would not be surprised if some don't.  The only way to know is to check.

I haven't had mine re-issued.  I probably should.  I have a vanity wall with my military certificates (all of which use initials, so no change required in my case), but I didn't feel good about hanging my degree certificate with my dead name.  Which is probably an indication that I ought to change it.

Quote from: KathyLauren on October 18, 2025, 11:53:39 AMYou should check with the registrar of your university.  I know that some universities will re-issue degree or diploma certificates after name changes.  I would not be surprised if some don't.  The only way to know is to check.

I haven't had mine re-issued.  I probably should.  I have a vanity wall with my military certificates (all of which use initials, so no change required in my case), but I didn't feel good about hanging my degree certificate with my dead name.  Which is probably an indication that I ought to change it.

Thanks Kathy Lauren, that's very helpful.

I didn't think to check the University websites. Both my undergraduate and postgraduate degree universities state that they will update their alumni records and they will reissue the certificates. The former requires the Deed Poll and the latter requires the new birth certificate. Both require the old certificates to be sent back to them, which I guess is a kind of proof that I am who I say.

It's kind of cool but also kind of scary. Strangely enough, with this one I feel slightly (but only slightly) more reticent along the lines of @SoupSarah 's comments about her birth certificate. Whereas I affirm that I was not born male, what came after that was a lived experience as a male, which included my three University degrees. I took those degrees in a lived male history, whereas my actual birth was stolen from me by the gender imposition of outsiders. Not sure if that makes sense to anyone, but it does to me :)

I still think I'll get them changed :)

xx

xx

Yes, I got my degree certificate updated, they asked me to destroy the old one I had to send them photographic proof of the destruction.. My grc was also required. If you apply for a job, it's best to have a certificate that matches your name so you don't have to talk about your history of you don't want to.

As to the deed poll, if you apply for a mortgage or something, they usually ask for the last 10 years of residency, if you moved before you changed your name, then the deed poll is your proof.
I had to use it once to get my police certificate issued for immigration. I had to proove my existence for the last 10 years.. However, I did ask that the issued certificate  would not mention my name or gender change, a very nice guy wrote back and said this will not be a problem. They issued me my police certificate(indicating I had not been involved in any crime) in my new/actual name and never made a mention of my past at all..
So, a bit like everything, probably best not throw stuff into a bonfire for some symbolic reason just in case you need it..
And as I wrote, your birth as a male is still recorded in the registers.. Nothing has been deleted, they only issued you (or will) a new birth certificate it's NOT a replacement.. Hence you can order your old one just as you could order your past marriage certificates or birth certificates of your kids and they will all carry your old name.. Nothing is updated retrospectively.. It's only issues from now into the future.

After a little delay my GRC has arrived with the correct stamp on it: previously they issued it without. I've also heard today that my birth certificate has finally been produced.

So now I will be able to swing into action with correcting my degree certificates and notifying any other authorities who need to be informed.

Cool. It's not so bad in the UK?

xx

Congratulations, Tills!😄

Congratulations. That must feel good for sure!

I didn't know a GRC was needed to change degree certificates? Still gotta do mine, so hopefully not necessary with my uni.

Congratulations, @Tills

Things never seem to happen as quickly as we would like, but you have accomplished a great deal this year. As Ashley would say, "Onward, Brave Sister!"

Quote from: Charlotte_Ringwood on November 27, 2025, 01:34:06 PMCongratulations. That must feel good for sure!

I didn't know a GRC was needed to change degree certificates? Still gotta do mine, so hopefully not necessary with my uni.

Hi Charlotte,

I have just contacted the three University degree offices and it does indeed appear to be the case that they will only issue a new, name changed, degree certificate if you have a Gender Recognition Certificate. Their reasoning is that you don't otherwise require it because a Deed Poll will cover the name change.

A replacement degree certificate in your new name under the Gender Recognition Act 2004 is a different matter because it is covered by legal protection, including the fact that you are not allowed to be identified by your former name and gender. They are therefore required by law to issue you the correct degree certificate i.e. reflecting your protected status under the GRC.

I would add this. The way the wind is blowing in the UK I would advise folks to go ahead and apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate now. We don't know how things will stand in c. 3 years time but it might be unpleasant. It's worth getting all these things sorted now if you can.

xx

I was led to understand that the grc's are numbered sequencally. So was shocked to find mine was only 7000 something (I think 7324?)..that's not many prior persons.
I did get mine issued 3ish years ago? I wonder how many have grc's since?

@SoupSarah

Hello there! Been a while since we have seen you post. We missed you.

How long have they been issuing GRCs? 7,000+ in, say, five years, is believable. In twenty-plus years, it would seem low. But we are a small percentage of the population, and I would guess that not everyone bothers applying.


Hugs!

Quote from: SoupSarah on Yesterday at 12:36:21 PMSo was shocked to find mine was only 7000 something

Mine is in the low 6000s, from 2020.

Quote from: SoupSarah on Yesterday at 12:36:21 PMI was led to understand that the grc's are numbered sequencally. So was shocked to find mine was only 7000 something (I think 7324?)..that's not many prior persons.
I did get mine issued 3ish years ago? I wonder how many have grc's since?

Hi Sarah, Great question! Here we go:

Financial year   Number of applications   Number of decisions made
2020 to 2021          466            456           
2019 to 2020          443            403           
2018 to 2019          379            363           
2017 to 2018          369            405           
2016 to 2017          365            350           
2015 to 2016          375            373           
2014 to 2015          342            284           
2013 to 2014          311            371           
2012 to 2013          301            277           
2011 to 2012          320            311           
2010 to 2011          305            318           
2009 to 2010          289            276           
2008 to 2009          275            274           
2007 to 2008          294            449           
2006 to 2007          693            590           
2005 to 2006          1,059          1,271     

Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gender-recognition-certificate-applications-and-outcomes/gender-recognition-certificate-applications-and-outcomes

A friend of mine was one of the very first on the list with a number iirc at about 40.

Mine is in the 10,000's. I maybe won't put the actual number just in case it's picked up by hostile eyes.


According to Google AI (sigh):

Total certificates granted: 9,633 up to the end of March 2025.
Certificates granted in the latest year: 1,169 were granted in the year ending March 2025.
Growth over time: The number of certificates issued in the latest year is more than three times the number issued in 2019-20.
Reasons for increase: Experts believe this surge is due to the lower application fee and the shift to an online system, which made the process easier to navigate.
Applicant demographics: There has been a shift towards younger applicants. For example, in the latest year, 68% of certificates were granted to people born since 1990, up from 41% in 2019-20.

I think some of the increase may also be for the reasons I suggested. If things are going to turn nastier in the UK then it pays to have everything sorted asap.

I think I would generally encourage folk on here to go ahead. It's a bit convoluted but the success rate is very high at the moment: over 95% for those who apply.

xx
   

p.s. that's still a small amount. In 20 years a total around 11,000 Gender Recognition Certificates.

Unfortunately GRC is another gate kept entity which will limit uptake. I will need to medical reports and 2 years in my new gender. However to get the reports I need to wait 5+ years for GIC referral. Everything here is gate kept by medical reports. Honestly at this point I'll have a passport with the wrong gender and no GRC for well over 5 years. Then I tell a medical professional what they want to hear and get it all.

It's completely unnecessary.