Yucatán Cuts Gender Change Wait to Just 30 Minutes

Mérida, Yucatán — For the first time in Yucatán’s history, individuals over 18 can now request a gender and name change on their birth certificates through a simplified, fast, and free process, according to Jorge Carlos Ramírez Granados, Director of the Yucatán Civil Registry.

A Historic Shift in Administrative Procedures

The new protocol marks a significant departure from years of legal uncertainty, prolonged procedures, and bureaucratic hurdles. Previously, applicants faced a convoluted process requiring lawyers, injunctions, and advocacy groups, often lasting up to five months.

“Before, it was like navigating a legal platypus—no one quite knew how to do it,” Ramírez Granados stated. “Now, all that’s needed is a formal request addressed to the Civil Registry Director, and the process takes no more than 30 minutes.”

Although the state’s Family Code had already permitted gender marker changes, the lack of clear protocols and institutional readiness created a de facto barrier. Many applicants encountered legal voids, costly procedures, and outdated administrative systems.

Modernization and Accessibility

The reform coincides with a broader modernization effort within Yucatán’s Civil Registry. For years, many local offices operated with obsolete technology—some relying on typewriters, deteriorating record books, and no internet access.

“We found offices still using typewriters and outdated equipment,” Ramírez Granados explained. “We’ve been working to recover and modernize these systems to provide better service.”

To date, 10 offices in the state’s interior have been reactivated, and Valladolid now has four full-time staff members to serve its large population. An additional 27 offices are being interconnected, with plans to extend services to underserved communities like Sitpach and Cantamayec, where Civil Registry operations were previously nonexistent or neglected.

A Rights-Based Approach

The director emphasized that the change is not merely an administrative correction but a recognition of a fundamental right. “This isn’t about editing a field or a tab. It’s about acknowledging a person’s true identity—their name and legal gender. And it’s a right, not a paid service,” he said.

Previously, applicants were charged 261 pesos for what was classified as a “review.” The process is now free, reflecting its status as a guaranteed right rather than a bureaucratic correction.

Demand for gender marker changes has risen significantly since the reforms took effect. However, Ramírez Granados confirmed that the registry is processing all requests without requiring legal injunctions or intermediaries.

The overhaul represents a milestone for Yucatán’s LGBTQ+ community, aligning administrative practices with the state’s legal framework and international human rights standards.