The government of Uzbekistan has issued a decree permitting citizens to change their first name, patronymic, and surname based on gender transition. The relevant document was published in the legal acts database on June 13, reports UzNews.uz.
It is noted that the basis for changing personal names can now be a medical certificate confirming gender transition, issued by a medical institution. The procedure will still be handled by the Civil Registry Office (ZAGS).
Previously, changes to personal data were allowed only in accordance with historical and national traditions under Article 15 of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On the State Language.” For example, removing Russified surname endings such as “-ov” or “-ev.” For instance, the rector of the University of Journalism and Mass Communications, Sherzodkhon Kudrathodja, changed his surname from Kudrathodjaev several years ago.
Besides gender transition, other valid reasons for changing names now include court decisions, if a name or surname sounds unpleasant, or if personal data does not correspond with national identity.
According to the new law, changes to personal data are also permitted in cases such as:
👉 a spouse wanting to revert to a maiden name (both during marriage and after divorce);
👉 family members wishing to share the same surname;
👉 parents wanting their children to carry the same surname as the father or mother, the mother’s maiden name, the stepfather’s, or guardian’s surname;
👉 establishing paternity for persons aged 16 or older;
👉 gender transition.
Commenting on the government-approved amendments, former Uzbek parliament deputy and current advisor to the Minister of Ecology Rasul Kusherbayev wrote on social media that, for example, a man named Dilshod will be able to change his name to the female variant — Dilshoda — without any obstacles after gender transition.
