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Getting an Australian Passport
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In keeping to the original post I plan on obtaining a female Australian passport mid way though this year before I head to Thailand end of the year as per the info on Bambis Aust passport link. My passport is well expired so its just a process of obtaining the Dr’s letters and applying for a new one in the correct sex.
As far as Medicare, I too have trouble with Medicare changing my sex and they would only remove the MR Title. I too would be interested in knowing these “loopholes”
Quote:The confusing part is the the Tax Office has even let me change my title and I’ve rang and spoke to them three times in total to check and re-check because of what Medicare say but yeah, my tax details are quite ok.Peta A.
The Tax dept have also refused to change my sex as is stated on their website here
http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/content.asp?doc=/content/12450.htm
As with Medicare the Tax dept will only remove the MR title and will not change it to Ms until I have completed SRS.
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i sent you an email Peta about the reasons why i hadn’t let any information on to you and an apology to go with it
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Yeah I got it Tania, thanks for emailing me anyhow.I’ll keep looking into things from my end and who knows, maybe I’ll get lucky!
A note too about the tax office, mainly as a result of Antheas’ post. I spoke with them again today and yes it is true, you cannot change your gender record with them until you certify your SRS with them or have the necessary proof that you cannot get SRS now or ever. I asked once again about the title of “Ms” and the reply was a very certain “yes, you can present as to who you wish to”. I’ve asked them to remove my title from their records because of the Medicare decisions however. It’s another classic case of different government authorities (both federal at that) not being able to have the same “basic” requirements.
Peta A.
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Confirmed: Medicare require evidence of SRS/GRS before they will change gender. Same for the ATO. For birth certificates they need two statuary declarations from either treating or examining doctors confirming SRS.
For passports Bambi’s post is spot on. Even if you are unable to change your birth certificate the same two statuary declarations will suffice. -
However both the ATO and Medibank will remove any gender specific terminology in their correspondance, as they did for me. Just my name, no Mr, Mrs Ms or most importantly Mr.
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I obtained a contact in the Passport office who to contact regarding a female passport for the purpose of SRS. I wrote to her asking what documents I needed as I intend on going to my post office and applying to obtain one. This was her reply.
Dear Anthea
Thank you for your enquiry. If you are travelling overseas for the
specific purpose of sex reassignment surgery, and meet the usual passport
requirements, you may be issued with a limited validity passport (LVP) in
female. The LVP costs the same as a full validity passport (FVP) and will
have sufficient validity to meet your return travel needs, up to a maximum
period of 12 months.To be issued a LVP in female you must provide written medical evidence from
a registered practitioner confirming sex reassignment surgery is scheduled
to take place.In addition to the written medical evidence confirming sex reassignment
surgery is scheduled, other documents you should bring to the interview
include:
1. the application form completed in black ink or online
2. two new colour photographs, one endorsed on the back, in black ink, by
the guarantor who also completed section 12 of the application form
3. an original document that proves you are an Australian citizen, being:
– your full Australian birth certificate OR
– your Australian citizenship certificate
4. original identity documents that prove your identity (for example your
current driver’s licence) that shows your current name, address and
signature
5. original documents that provide proof of name changes from the name
shown on your birth certificate, citizenship certificate or previous
Australian passportOnce your sex change is completed and you have your revised birth
certificate or gender recognition certificate reflecting your reassigned
sex, we will issue you with a FVP in the sex of female for the remainder of
the ten year period.If you require further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
The following day I received this email from her:
Dear Anthea
In my email to you yesterday I should have mentioned that there is another
travel document option available to you, a Document of Identity (DOI).A DOI is an international travel document where the sex field is left
blank. Medical evidence is not required for a DOI. DOIs are widely,
although not universally, recognised. A small number of countries do not
accept DOIs and you should check with the relevant country’s diplomatic
representative prior to your departure from Australia, whether a DOI will
be accepted for entry to and exit from that country. The cost of a DOI is
currently $45 and will have a maximum validity period of 12 months.In your email you mentioned that you will attend an interview at the post
office. Due to the increased complexity of issuing documents for the
purpose of sex reassignment surgery, we encourage applicants to lodge their
application at a passport office rather than a post office. For assistance,
please contact the Australian Passport Information Service (APIS) on 131
232 to arrange an appointment.For more information you may want to visit the Australian Passport Office
website, in particular the sex and gender diverse applicants page at
https://www.passports.gov.au/Web/SexGenderApplicants.aspxIf anyone wants the contact details of this person in the passport office please contact me and ill be happy to provide it.
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[Note Post content deleted as now irrelevant. For details of Current Australian Passport Policy see the following link]
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Quote:One thing that is not so clearly stated in the reply is the fact that the LVP is valid for 12 months only. To obtain a full 10 year passport (FVP) after SRS members need to apply again and pay again (Currently $226) with all the required additional documentation and photographs as listed on the website above.
Bambi,
According to the website after obtaining a 12 month LVP at full cost you do not pay for a FVP for the remaining 9 years providing you have the documention when you return from SRS overseas.
Here is what the website says:
Quote:Yes, we can issue you with a limited validity passport (LVP) if you are travelling overseas for the specific purpose of gender reassignment surgery and can provide written evidence of this from a registered medical practitioner, surgeon or hospital. The LVP costs the same as a full passport and will have a maximum validity of one year. Once your sex change is completed and you have your revised birth certificate or gender recognition certificate reflecting your reassigned gender, we will issue you with a full validity passport, valid for the remaining nine years free of charge. -
I stand corrected, and have amended my previous post. It is good to see this new change
In my case I had a FVP (Issued in 2008, and valid until 2018), however the Passport office would not issue me with a new passport for no fee and I had to pay again. ($226)
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I just received my LVP passport (sex F)
The process was simple, as long as you have the correct documentation as is stated in my earlier post above. I filled out the application form on line at the passport website and I applied for the passport at the passport office in person, it all went very smoothly for me. The passport was available for me to pick up at my post office in just over a week from when I applied.
Inside my passport on the following page next to my details it states this:
THIS IS A LIMITED VALIDITY PASSPORT. IF YOU APPLY IN PERSON BEFORE THE DOCUMENT EXPIRES, AND MEET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS ON THE APPLICATION, A REPLACEMENT PASSPORT, EXTENDED TO THE FULL VALIDITY, WILL BE ISSUED FREE.
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I’m sure everyone would know by now the news from Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) that Australian applicants for a new passport may now select gender by choice, eg. M, F, or X. I assume X could mean androgynous or whatever. This may or will save many awkward moments in some countries. This is a milestone in transgender rights and a further step in the right direction of total acceptance. Hats off to the lobbyists, without them the transgender community would be where we were fifty years ago. It will not affect me, I’m too old, but I personally know others to whom it will benifit. No longer a need for surgery, just a letter from your medical professional (GP) indicating how you prefer to present yourself.
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While the new changes are of course welcome, I do wonder what may happen when traveling to a country that perhaps questions the validity of the passport. For example if a body search is done for other reasons and what is written on the passport for Sex is different from physical sex.
Could the authorities then think that the passport was a fake or forgery which could cause the traveler perhaps potential problems? If the Australian Embassy in the country was contacted no doubt it would be sorted out quickly but with public holidays and weekends who would want to be in that situation for even a day?
It may be wise to also keep a certified copy of the Health Professionals letter (used when applying for a passport under the new rules) with the passport so it could be shown in these circumstances.
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Quote:While the new changes are of course welcome, I do wonder what may happen when traveling to a country that perhaps questions the validity of the passport. For example if a body search is done for other reasons and what is written on the passport for Sex is different from physical sex.
I unfortunately got to find out on my last visit to the USA…
Most of the USA doesn’t care, but if you have a run in with the San Meteo county police/jail… It doesn’t matter what documentation you have (GRC, Passport with F (multiple) etc..) they treat you as your birth certificate, and as you (well me) are not traveling with that they go on what they think.. regardless of any protesting etc..
I have a court case over it and the British consulate is *VERY* upset over it.
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Could the authorities then think that the passport was a fake or forgery which could cause the traveler perhaps potential problems? If the Australian Embassy in the country was contacted no doubt it would be sorted out quickly but with public holidays and weekends who would want to be in that situation for even a day?
My experience of traveling the world has been good when it comes to air staff/authorities. I am always treated as a woman – even before my passport was changed.
Mhix
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The Pass Port office sent me an email today – My new Passport in my new legal name and gender is on its way once my Doctor’s licence number is provided.
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My new passport just arrived in the mail this morning,
Sex (F)
So easy to get with letter from my Endo, no charge because I retained the expiry date of my old passport.
Submitted my application in person at the Newcastle Passport Office.
They apologized for the slight delay in checking my application at the counter as it was the first application that they have had in their office, I replied it was my first application as well.
No dramas, no problems, very friendly and helpful.
The new photograph of me is so much better than the old countenance with all the male attributes.8D
