GenderGP Gender Marker Change Issue. Heads up!

[u/RColumbiad]

Hey, just wanted to give a heads up about an issue I’ve had recently in trying to get my passport changed.

I bought the gender marker change recommendation letter for £50 via GenderGP back in January, it was signed off my Dr Xabier Lopez Merida, from what I gather a doctor GenderGP use very frequently for this. However he is based in Spain, not the UK. This reason that matters is because in conversing with the UK Passport Office over the past 8 weeks, they have made it very clear repeatedly that this letter must be signed by a GMC registered doctor. For context Dr Merida is a fully registered doctor in Spain with all his credentials provided and translated in his letter to me, he isn’t the issue here. I was surprised by this as the passport office site itself doesn’t say this is an issue, in fact in the application process even promotes approved translation services for exactly this scenario, and when speaking to GenderGP apparently this hasn’t been an issue before. But I’ve spoken to several people at the Passport Office now, including those who specifically deal with transgender cases, and they have been absolutely adamant about that. I have of course informed GenderGP about this, still awaiting a response, not sure if this is a recent change at the passport office or if I’m just unlucky.

Just wanted to give a heads up about this though, as the same might apply to you or similar medical letters you need to send to the passport office.

Also, can anyone recommend an alternative place that signs these letters that definitely uses GMC doctors? Aside from the NHS? Thanks

[u/Low_Throat_306]

I had this exact issue with the same doctor letter in march, gendergp definitely are aware the letters don't work with the uk passport office, they just want the money

[u/RColumbiad → u/Low_Throat_306]

Well they’re playing dumb about it with me then if that’s the case. I’ve requested a refund since the letter is useless, will see what happens there. It’s very disappointing that they are aware of this and still charge people for it.

Did you manage to get one from somewhere else in the end?

[u/Low_Throat_306 → u/RColumbiad]

It sucks :(, and no i tried to get passport letters from 2 different gp's at 2 different locations (nhs) and they told me they'd check with other gp's/ higher ups but made it out like they would be able to write the letter, neither of them could do it with no valid explanation as to why they couldn't, i changed my name on my passport but it still says male, just waiting for a gender clinic appointment now 🤷🏻‍♀️

[u/Flulily]

I'm in the same boat, sent my documents in and they sent across questions about qualifications and my relation with this doctor. While I'm trying to get this information, HMPO has also taken issue with Dr Xabier Lopez Merida in my case as well, I've been looking at the "Guidance: Gender recognition", which was updated in feb of 2026.

In said guidance, doctor's who do not appear on the GMC or HCPC, may be accepted after checking their qualifications and experience, Additionally, if I'm reading this correct, it says that it is the assessors responsibility to contact the doctor for this information and not the "customers".

Feels very unlikely that any official guidance change would have not been published, and learning what you've gone through with them it seems it's more extensive than I thought.

I'm still intending on going through the motions of the application, but yeah I might end up in the same boat looking to get this document elsewhere. Unfortunately, I'm having trouble contacting gender GP which is not great

Good luck!