True ID Initiative

Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP and the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity (CCGSD) have collaborated on a gender marker and name change initiative called True ID. First launched in 2018, the initiative aims to make the gender marker and name change processes more accessible for trans and gender-diverse individuals by providing pro bono notary and commissioning services to clients who wish to update their government-issued identification documents – including birth certificates, passports and driver's licenses – to reflect their true name and gender.

True ID recently expanded beyond Ontario to provide access to all provinces in which Gowling WLG has offices, including British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec.

Looking further into the future, we also hope to offer these services to transgender and gender diverse individuals in all provinces and territories across Canada. 

It is free to have a Gowling WLG legal professional commission and notarize these documents. These services are offered on a pro bono basis.

Please note that each province and territory charges a fee for the gender marker and name change application forms and for other documents that need to be obtained for the application. These costs are not covered by True ID.

Please see the Gender Markers Guide for further information in your province or territory.

Each province and territory is slightly different. The CCGSD has developed a Gender Markers Guide with links to governmental information for each province and territory. These resources provide the best and most accurate guide as to each province and territory's requirements.

In general, the process requires the applicant to complete application forms declaring an amendment to their gender marker and/or name. Because it includes legal changes to government documents, identification – typically birth certificates – must be submitted along with the application forms.

For gender marker amendments, some provinces also require a letter from a physician or psychologist confirming the change of gender designation.

For minors, parent or guardian consent is required, along with proof of parentage or guardianship.

In order to have your name or gender marker amended for a particular document or piece of ID, you need to complete the application for the province that issued you that particular document or ID. For example, if you live in British Columbia and have a BC driver's license, but you were born in Alberta and have an Alberta birth certificate, you will need to complete the Alberta forms to amend your birth certificate, and the BC forms to amend your driver's license.

Note: Not every province requires an amended birth certificate in order to amend other government documents. For example, in BC, you can update your gender marker on your BC Services Card or Driver's Licence with or without an updated birth certificate.

Please refer to the Gender Markers Guide for more detailed information in your province or territory.

Gowling WLG legal professionals, including lawyers and law clerks, will commission your gender marker and/or name change documents.

This can vary based on both your availability and the legal professional's availability. We aim to respond to you within 48 hours and connect you with someone soon after.

Based on preference and location, our legal professionals can provide commissioning services in person, via Zoom or via other remote video platforms.

When all of the required documents are included, the commissioning process is quite fast and can usually be completed in under 30 minutes. If there is an outstanding document, the legal professional will commission what they can, but will have to wait until the remaining documents have been received to complete the process.

At this time, the True ID initiative only encompasses the commissioning and notarizing for gender marker and name change documents. While we cannot assist with substantive legal concerns that may arise in the course of your gender marker or name change, we are always happy to point you in the right direction.

Please contact true.id@gowlingwlg.com for more information or for access to these services.