Inclusion of individuals with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions is a proud commitment of the Provincial Government. Proposed changes to the Vital Statistics Act, 2009 would allow residents of Newfoundland and Labrador who were not born in the province – but have lived here for at least three months – to change their sex designation. The Bill received second reading today in the House of Assembly.

There would be a $25 fee for the change certificate for any person making this sex designation change, which aligns with the fee for other certificates issued by the Vital Statistics Division. The change certificate would be considered as official identification from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and could be leveraged by the applicant to update records in other jurisdictions. In the case of individuals born outside the country, the change of sex certificate would be used as their form of identification.

These amendments align with other changes made to the Vital Statistics Act to recognize diversity and allow for a change of sex designation on a birth certificate from female or male to a non-binary option.

Other upcoming changes to the Act being considered include:

• Protecting consumers from applying for vital statistics documents through third parties at inflated prices, protecting consumers’ personal information and saving them money.
• Easing restrictions on who can apply for a marriage certificate when one of the parties to a marriage is deceased, including allowing for a child, parent or sibling of the deceased to apply for the required certificate.
• Authorizing the Registrar of Vital Statistics to release death registrations, allowing for a more efficient administrative process and lessening the burden on individuals in times of grief.

Quotes
“Equality and respect for the diversity of all individuals are important values for our government. That is why today we introduced legislation in the House of Assembly which would allow residents of Newfoundland and Labrador not born in the province, but who have lived here for at least three months, to change their sex designation. We are also proposing future changes aimed at protecting consumers when requesting vital statistics documents. These changes reflect our commitment to deliver effective service to residents of our province.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister of Digital Government and Service NL

“These changes represent a progressive step in ensuring our provincial legislation becomes more equitable for all persons living in Newfoundland and Labrador. Our government is one that looks at the intersectional needs of our diverse province, and will adjust barriers in legislation accordingly. For some, this change may mean a life with a greater degree of safety and freedom from discrimination, by holding identification documents that match the gender with which one identifies.”
Honourable Pam Parsons
Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality

“By removing this additional barrier for non binary individuals through updating the Vital Statistics Act, the Provincial Government has taken another giant step on the road towards equality, showing once again that Newfoundland and Labrador is a province that we can all be proud to call home.”
Gemma Hickey
Advocate and Author

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Learn more

Bill No. 19 – Amendments to the Vital Statistics Act, 2009

Bill No. 7 – Amendments to the Vital Statistics Act, 2009

News Release – Provincial Government Moving Forward with Gender Neutral Birth Certificates

News Release – Gender Neutral Birth Certificate Application Forms Now Available Online

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Media contacts
Krista Dalton
Digital Government and Service NL
729-4748, 685-6492
kristadalton@gov.nl.ca

Nancy Hollett
Office of Women and Gender Equality
709-729-4934, 725-6078
nancyhollett@gov.nl.ca