Glossary
Glossary
Plain-language meanings of words you’ll see in forms and on this site. Community terms are based on TransHub’s language guide, made with trans and gender diverse communities. Language changes, and people describe themselves in different ways. Use the words that feel right for you. These are plain-language explanations, not legal definitions. For the legal meaning, check the official source linked with each term.
- Acknowledgement document (WA)
- A document the WA Registry can issue to someone born outside Australia who has lived in WA for at least 12 months, acknowledging their sex or gender. Source: WA Government.
- BDM (Births, Deaths and Marriages)
- The government registry in each state and territory that records births and issues birth certificates, change of name certificates and similar documents. Each state and territory has its own. Source: for example NSW BDM.
- Certified copy
- A photocopy of a document that an authorised person has endorsed as a true copy of the original. Who can certify copies depends on the organisation, so check what they accept. Source: for example SA application form (PDF).
- Change of name certificate
- A certificate from a registry that shows your name has been legally changed. Some registries issue a new birth certificate instead, if you were born there. Source: BDM Victoria: Change a name.
- Commissioner for Declarations
- A person authorised to witness statutory declarations and similar documents in some states, such as Tasmania. Like a JP. Source: Service Tasmania.
- Deadname
- A term some trans people use for the name they were given and known by before affirming their gender. It’s a community term, not a legal one. Source: TransHub: Language.
- Gender affirmation
- The personal process, or processes, a trans or gender diverse person decides is right for them to live as their gender. It may involve social, medical and/or legal steps. Everyone’s path is different. Source: TransHub: Language.
- Gender marker
- An everyday term for the sex or gender recorded on a document, such as M, F or X on a passport. Registries often call it your “record of sex” or “sex descriptor”. This is a plain-language description, not an official definition.
- Intersex
- People born with natural variations in sex characteristics, such as chromosomes, hormones or anatomy. Source: TransHub: Language.
- JP (Justice of the Peace)
- A person appointed by a state or territory who can witness documents such as statutory declarations. Registries list JPs among their approved witnesses. Check the form for who else can be a witness. Source: for example SA.GOV.AU: Register a change of name.
- Linking certificate (QLD)
- One of the certificate options in Queensland after changing your record of sex. It links your previous and current details. Source: qld.gov.au.
- Misgendering
- Referring to someone with words that don’t affirm them, such as a former name or pronoun. Source: TransHub: Language.
- Non-binary
- An umbrella term for genders that sit within, outside of, across or between male and female. Source: TransHub: Language.
- Parental responsibility
- The legal duties and authority parents (or others, such as guardians) have for a child. It decides who must consent to things like a child’s passport. Source: Australian Passport Office.
- Recognised details certificate
- A certificate some states and territories (for example NSW, Victoria and the ACT) issue to people born elsewhere who live there, recording their changed sex or name. Source: NSW: Change of sex.
- Record of sex / sex descriptor
- The sex recorded on your birth registration. Some registries let you choose from a set list, such as male, female, non-binary or non-specified (NSW). Others accept a wide range of descriptors (Victoria, ACT). Source: BDM Victoria: Sex descriptors.
- Statutory declaration (stat dec)
- A legal document setting out facts you declare are true. You usually sign it in front of an approved witness, such as a JP. There are Commonwealth and state versions, so use the form the agency asks for. Making a false statement on purpose is an offence. Source: Attorney-General’s Department: Statutory declarations.
- Supporting statement / statement of support
- A statement from another adult who has known you for a set time, supporting your application to change your record of sex. Some registries ask for one: for example, BDM Victoria asks for a statement from an adult who has known you for at least 12 months. Source: BDM Victoria.
- Tribunal (NCAT, VCAT, QCAT, SACAT, ACAT and others)
- Each state and territory has a civil and administrative tribunal. Tribunals can review some government decisions, and in some places must approve a change for a young person. Source: for example VCAT.
- X descriptor
- A sex or gender option other than M (male) or F (female). On an Australian passport, X means non-binary, indeterminate, intersex, unspecified or other. If you plan to travel, check with the Australian Passport Office and the countries you’re visiting. Some registries offer other options too (see record of sex). Source: Australian Passport Office.
General information, not legal advice. Last checked 14 Nov 2026.