The Scottish government has introduced plans to “improve” the process of how trans people apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC).
The Scottish Gender Recognition Reform Bill strives to make it easier for trans people to change their gender identity and has reduced the minimum age of applicants from 18 to 16.
Scotland’s bill proposes to amend the Gender Recognition Act 2004 and introduce new criteria for applicants who wish to obtain a GRC, which is required to be legally recognised as their changed gender.
Once an individual has a GRC they are eligible to apply for a new birth certificate. Currently, trans people must be 18 or over to apply to a UK Gender Recognition Panel to acquire a GRC.