- The State Department confirmed the change, stating that passports will now reflect “biological sex” as defined in the executive order
The United States has stopped issuing passports with a gender-neutral “X” option, following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump limiting government recognition of transgender identities.
The move reverses a policy introduced during President Joe Biden’s administration and leaves pending applications for “X” passports in limbo.
The State Department confirmed the change, stating that passports will now reflect “biological sex” as defined in the executive order.
The department has also suspended processing applications for “X” markers and announced forthcoming guidance on previously issued passports with the designation. Updates will be shared on the department’s travel website.
The “X” marker was first introduced in October 2021 after a legal battle by an intersex individual and became widely available in early 2022. While the department has not disclosed the total number of “X” passports issued, a study by UCLA’s Williams Institute estimated that over 16,000 people would apply annually.
On the campaign trail, Trump has criticized transgender policies, particularly in sports and healthcare for minors, as part of his broader opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
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