2198 applications for the confirmation of gender received by the Digital and Population Data Services Agency during the year

For one year, it has been possible for people to apply for confirmation of gender by reporting it themselves. On the first day of the legislation’s entry into force, almost 600 applications were received, but since then the number has levelled off at around 100 per month.

Confirmation of gender means that the gender entered for someone in the Population Information System is corrected to correspond to their gender identity. Applications for the confirmation of gender are submitted to the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV). A medical report has not been required for the confirmation since the legislative reform entered into force on 3 April 2023.

The Digital and Population Data Services Agency received 2198 applications for the confirmation of gender during the year. Approximately 67 % of applicants have also confirmed their application, and their gender information has been corrected in the Population Information System. There have been slightly more applications from female to male than from male to female.

Number of applications multiplied

On the first day of the legislative reform, the Digital and Population Data Services Agency received almost three times as many applications as in the entire year of 2022.

“Previously, we received about 20 applications a month. More than 1,000 applications were submitted in April 2023 when the legislative reform entered into force, so the number of applications increased considerably. Now the number has levelled off at about 100 per month," says registrar Kaisa Myrsky.

Ninety-nine percent of applications are made electronically. Myrsky is happy about this: “We completely changed the way applications are processed. The aim was to make it smooth, safe and fast. With electronic applications, we succeeded in our goal beyond expectations."

Forename and parent title can be changed at the same time

Approximately one in three applicants also applied for a name change at the same time. The first forename change made in connection with gender confirmation is free of charge when the applicant changes their forename to match their gender identity.

However, it has only been possible to change the parent title since 1 March 2024. ‘Parent title’ means the information recorded in the Population Information System on whether the parent is the father or mother of the child. It is up to the parent who has confirmed their gender to decide which children are affected by the change. A parent can therefore be the mother of one child and the father of another. The Digital and Population Data Services Agency has received 22 applications to change parent titles.

Personal identity code will change and identity documents must be renewed

The confirmation of gender has legal and practical implications. The change that most affects everyday life is that the applicant's personal identity code changes, which is why they need a new identity card and new online banking codes. They must also update their new personal identity code with different organisations and systems. Gender confirmation may also affect military service, among other things.

Additional information 
Kaisa Myrsky, registrar, Digital and Population Data Services Agency, tel. +358 295 537 358, [email protected]