Over 1,700 people have applied for confirmation of gender by their own report

As of 3 April 2023, Finnish law has allowed for the confirmation of gender by a person’s own report. Over the past six months, the Digital and Population Data Services Agency has confirmed the gender of more than a thousand people. As many as 99% of the applications were submitted electronically.

Confirmation of gender means that the gender entered in your information in the Population Information System will be corrected to correspond to your 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.

After the legislative reform, over 1.700 people have submitted an application for the confirmation of their gender to the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. Approximately 64% of the applicants have also confirmed their application, and their gender information has been corrected in the Population Information System. The applicant must confirm their application within six months or it will expire.

Approximately one in four 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.

Number of applications have 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 when the legislative reform entered into force, so the number of applications increased considerably. However, the number of applications has now stabilised to about a hundred per month, and they can be processed smoothly," says Kaisa Myrsky, registrar at the Digital and Population Data Services Agency.

The Agency aims to resolve applications within approximately two weeks after the applicant has confirmed their application.

Some have not confirmed their application

The application must be confirmed between one to six months from submitting it. If the applicant does not confirm the application, the case will expire, meaning that the Digital and Population Data Services Agency will not confirm the applicant's gender. About 250 applications expired in October.

A small number of applications also expired because the applicant withdrew their application.

Up to 99% of applications submitted electronically

The easiest way to apply for the confirmation of gender is to use the form on the Digital and Population Data Services Agency's website. Up to 99% of the applicants used the electronic services.

"As a result of the legislative reform, we completely changed the way applications are processed. Our goal was to offer smooth, safe and fast services for all applicants. With electronic applications, we succeeded in our goal beyond expectations," says Myrsky.

Personal identity code will change and identity documents must be renewed

The confirmation of gender has both 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. 

Confirmation of gender in a nutshell

• Applications for the confirmation of gender are submitted to the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. You no longer need a medical report to apply.
• The applicant must confirm their application between one and six months after the submission of the application.
• Once the applicant's gender has been confirmed, the gender information is corrected in the Population Information System. In addition, their personal identity code will change, which is why they must renew documents such as their identity card and online banking codes.
• Confirmation of gender may also affect military service, among other things.
• For more information, see the website of the Digital and Population Data Services Agency.

    Confirmation of gender since 3 April 2023 in figures

• Approximately 1,700 people have applied for the confirmation of gender. Over 1,100 people have had their gender confirmed.
• Before 3 April, approximately 20 applications were received per month. In April this year, a record number of over 1,000 applications were received. The number has now dropped to fewer than 100 applications per month.
• Approximately 450 applicants also applied for a new first name.
• As many as 99% of the applications were submitted electronically.
  
   

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