A Gender Marker Letter is a document issued by a qualified healthcare professional that:
Confirms your gender identity
Affirms your intention to live permanently in your affirmed gender
Is used to support changes to your gender marker on official documents (e.g. passport, driver's licence)
Serves as a more accessible alternative to a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) for many identification updates
Unlike a GRC (which is legally required to change the gender on your birth certificate in the UK), a Gender Marker Letter may be sufficient for many other legal documents.
You can book a Gender Marker Letter session here.
How Our Gender Marker Letter Service Works
1. Book a session
You arrange an online appointment with one of our expert advisors. This session is offered to both existing members and non-members alike.
2. Consultation and discussion
During the session, the advisor will ask about your gender identity and your intention to live in your affirmed gender permanently. The aim is to ensure the letter accurately reflects your lived identity.
3. Receiving the letter
You can choose between two delivery methods:
Electronic Signature: fast delivery within ~24 hours, digitally signed by an independent EU-registered doctor. £55.
Hand-signed (wet signature, by post): the letter is physically signed and mailed to you. ~2 weeks delivery. £75.
The letter is personalized and is sent under the physician's signature.
Why Use a Gender Marker Letter?
Alternative to a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC)
A GRC is required to legally change the gender on a UK birth certificate, but is not always needed to update other documents like passports or driving licences.
Many people prefer the Gender Marker Letter route because the GRC process is more burdensome, involves medical and legal requirements, and takes longer.
Practical benefits
Makes aligning your identification documents with your gender identity easier
Reduces the need for costly or time-consuming legal procedures
Often sufficient for passports, licences, and other identity updates
One user described how using a Gender Marker Letter simplified updating their passport without resorting to a full GRC.
Considerations and Limitations
While this service can be helpful, there are important caveats and potential challenges to keep in mind.
Legal status and what can be changed
The Gender Marker Letter does not change your legal gender under UK law (only a GRC can do that).
Some documents or institutions may still require additional evidence or reject a private letter, depending on their policies.
Non-binary gender is not legally recognised in UK law for GRC purposes (the law currently allows only male or female).
Health record and screening impact
Updating your gender marker at your GP surgery will cascade into NHS systems, but sometimes there is delay or discrepancy, especially across different NHS trusts.
Changing your gender marker may affect eligibility for gender-related health screenings (e.g. cervical, breast cancer screening). Discuss this with your GP to ensure you remain in relevant screening programmes.
Gender Marker Letter vs Gender Recognition Certificate
| Feature | Gender Marker Letter | GRC (UK) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | To support updating gender markers on many identity documents | Legal recognition of affirmed gender (allows birth certificate change) |
| Provider | Private clinician / service (e.g. GenderGP) | Gender Recognition Panel / legal process |
| Requirements | Discussion, confirmation of intention | Medical reports, lived-in gender period (e.g. 2 years), statutory declarations, legal application process |
| Time and complexity | Faster, simpler process | Longer and more complex |
| Cost | Fee for letter service | Application and legal costs (plus GRC application fees) |
| Recognition risk | Some institutions may reject or require extra evidence | Legally binding across institutions |
Tips for Using a Gender Marker Letter
Check the receiving institution's requirements
Before submitting a letter (e.g., for passport or licence), confirm whether they accept privately issued letters and what specifications (signature, role of doctor) they require.Keep documentation of your name and identity change
If you change your name (e.g. via deed poll), retain proof (bank statements, government correspondence) to substantiate your use of the name in daily life.Communicate with your GP / NHS clinicians
After obtaining the letter, request that your GP updates your medical records and ensure relevant screening programmes are maintained.Have realistic expectations
Understand that the Gender Marker Letter is not equivalent to a legal gender change – in some contexts, it may not suffice.
You can book a Gender Marker Letter session here.