MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Third option is coming to Washington birth certificates

Jan 4, 2018, 12:23 PM

A third option is coming to Washington birth certificates.

The Department of Health announced people will be able to change the sex designation to “x” on their birth certificate beginning later this month.

Additional changes will remove the requirement for medical attestation for adults making a request and expand the licensed health care professionals who can attest to gender change for minors, according to KIRO 7.

The department received public comment on the matter in December.

“We think it’s important because social norms are changing,” said David Johnson, spokesperson for the Department of Health. “They are different today than they were 10 … 20 years ago. And this rule just provides people with that option to have a birth certificate that aligns with their gender identity.”

“Allowing a sex designation change on the birth certificate means people are less likely to be challenged when they provide their birth certificate as proof of identity,” he added.

Minors wanting to change their sex designation must have written consent from a parent and confirmation from a licensed health care professional.

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